This guide will navigate you through the vibrant shopping scene around Piccadilly Circus, offering valuable insights and recommendations for finding the perfect shops. We’ll explore the diverse selection of stores and highlight key areas to satisfy every shopping desire, providing links for further exploration.
Navigating the Shopping Scene
While Piccadilly Circus itself might not boast an abundance of shops, the surrounding streets teem with options catering to different preferences and budgets. Let’s delve into the shopping havens near the iconic square:
Coventry Street: This charming street connects Piccadilly Circus with Leicester Square. It’s home to the sprawling Trocadero shopping center, offering a varied collection of souvenir shops where you can snag classic souvenirs like Union Jack hats and Big Ben mugs. If discounted theatre tickets are on your wish list, this street is a prime destination.
Regent Street: Renowned for its exceptional shopping opportunities, Regent Street is a shopper’s paradise. It’s a haven for department stores and flagship stores from high-street giants.
Lower Regent Street: This street, leading from Piccadilly Circus to Pall Mall, is a treasure trove for those seeking upscale clothing or jewelry. While not overflowing with stores, it presents a curated selection of exclusive brands. You’ll also find a few charming souvenir shops and captivating Japanese specialty stores.
Piccadilly: Piccadilly is home to two London icons – Fortnum and Mason and the largest bookshop in Europe. This affluent street is a haven for luxury, boasting a range of high-end boutiques, including clothing, book, and jewelry stores. As Piccadilly is adjacent to Regent Street, you can easily hop between these two shopping havens.
Shopping Centers Near Piccadilly Circus
Although Piccadilly Circus itself doesn’t have a traditional shopping center, several options are within easy walking distance:
The Trocadero: Situated less than a minute’s walk from Piccadilly Circus, The Trocadero is an entertainment complex housing a large shopping mall. Explore a variety of shops, including souvenir shops, jewelry stores, clothing boutiques, and toy stores.
Fortnum and Mason: More of a department store than a shopping center, Fortnum and Mason stands two minutes from Piccadilly Circus. It’s a culinary wonderland, a legendary shop selling delectable treats for picnics or gifts. They are famous for their exquisite teas, lavish displays, and delightful afternoon tea experiences.
Lilywhites: Located directly on Piccadilly Circus, Lilywhites is a renowned sports shop. This department store occupies a historic building and offers a wide range of sports gear, from trendy sneakers to specialist equipment.
Bookshops around Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly itself is dotted with numerous bookshops, from independent specialists to large chain stores. For literature enthusiasts, a visit to the grand Waterstones, less than two minutes from Piccadilly Circus, is a must. This sprawling store, spanning eight floors, is Europe’s largest bookshop and houses a bar, a cafe, and a gift shop.
Beyond Piccadilly Circus: Shopping Adventures Await
Piccadilly Circus sits at the heart of London’s shopping scene, offering a gateway to a myriad of shopping destinations.
London Regent Street: Directly accessible from Piccadilly Circus tube station, Regent Street is a shopper’s paradise. It’s a melting pot of shops catering to diverse tastes and budgets, including Zara, Mango, H&M, Hamleys, Barbour, Guess, and Michael Kors.
Soho Shopping: Soho, a short five-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus, offers a more alternative shopping experience. This vibrant area is home to unique independent stores with a quirky edge. While high-street favorites are abundant on Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, and Regent Street, Soho’s Carnaby Street and Berwick Street are havens for interesting designers and creative outlets.
Covent Garden: A ten-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden is a shopper’s haven. Explore the quirky independent shops around Seven Dials, high-street options near the Covent Garden tube station, and the traditional Covent Garden market.
Piccadilly Circus: A Shopper’s Launchpad
Piccadilly Circus serves as the starting point for exploring some of London’s finest shopping districts. While the square itself might not have a plethora of shops, it’s a gateway to iconic destinations like Britain’s famous toy shop, Europe’s largest bookstore, and the legendary Carnaby Street, a symbol of the swinging sixties. To make the most of your shopping adventure, plan your route, explore your options, and have a fantastic time!
