Trafalgar Square & Piccadilly Circus
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Trafalgar & Picadilly - by David Mark from Pixabay
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Description
Trafalgar Square is a public square in central London famous for its 52m Nelson's Column. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the 1805 naval victory of Britain (led by Nelson) over France and Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. It has historically been used for protests and political demonstrations, including Bloody Sunday in 1887. Piccadilly Circus is a major traffic junction connecting Piccadilly, Regent Street and 4 other main roads. The name come from the Latin meaning "circle" and thus refers to the shape of the junction open space. It is close to various shopping areas and the West End and is well known for its neon and video displays. Together, they form the boundary between the entertainment and shopping areas of Soho, Leicester Square and the West End to the Northeast and the residential and aristocratic areas of Mayfair, St James, Pall Mall and Westminster to the southwest. Trivia: the square is owned by the Queen, "in Right of the Crown"
Access & Transport
Piccadilly Circus is 600m to the northwest of Trafalgar Square along Haymarket rd. This area is super central and easy to get to by bus or underground: Charing Cross station is located right next to Trafalgar Sq. (Bakerloo, Northern and South-eastern rail) whilst Piccadilly Circus has its own namesake underground station (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines).
Instructions & Recommendations
Use these popular tourist spots to connect the Soho or Regent Street area with St James and Westminster through a leisurely walk. At Trafalgar Square you can visit the National Gallery Museum.
Environmental & Social
It is an urban and commercial environment with relatively high electricity consumption (Piccadilly) Trafalgar Sq. is socially neutral and Piccadilly a bit negative because of the heavy focus on commercial activities driven by big brands, chains and advertising.
Conclusion
We would strongly recommend making your way through Trafalgar Square as it truly is a very impressive public square with substantial historical background. We are much less sanguine about Piccadilly Circus - get that picture if you must.
Key positive
Trafalgar square has an interesting history and makes for great pictures
Piccadilly Circus becomes vibrant at night with its neon lights
Very central so easy to insert into an itinerary without making a significant detour
Key negative
Nothing to visit in Piccadilly Circus, just see and experience
Suitability
Suitable for all ages and no accessibility problem for visitors with mobility issues
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Sunrise / early morningNo
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightOk
Night – aft. midnightNo