Not exactly a mecca for clowns and acrobats, but certainly a draw for the millions of tourists who visit London each year. Piccadilly Circus is a rather untidy, traffic-choked place, but is something of a central hub in the West End and a common meeting place. At its centre is the statue commonly known as Eros but which is actually called the Angel of Christian Charity. A number of famous streets emanate from the Circus including Piccadilly itself with its smart hotels and shops, including the elegant Fortnum and Mason department store that was founded in 1707, Hatchard's (London's oldest bookshop founded in 1797), The Ritz Hotel and The Royal Academy.
Travelling in the opposite direction from Piccadilly Circus is Shaftesbury Avenue with its many famous theatres. The largest road leading from Piccadilly however is the graceful Regent Street designed by John Nash in 1812 as a boulevard for shopping, and still used as such. Hamley's, the world's largest toy shop is here on the right as is the startling Liberty department store which continues to promote the designs of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Further up Regent Street lies Oxford Circus across which runs Oxford Street. Despite drawing a constant flow of visitor's, Oxford Street is unremarkable and filled with tatty bargain shops as well as the chain stores you would find in any major city. The exception can be found at the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street in the form of Selfridges, the largest department store in Europe, whose frontage alone is worth a look. Marble Arch itself stands over a grim history: it marks the spot of the notorious Tyburn, which saw thousands of public executions from 1196 to 1793.
The best idea around Oxford Street is to venture down the smaller streets which often contain old pubs and interesting shops. For example, St. Christopher's Place just opposite Bond Street station has an almost invisible entrance and leads to an entirely different world of up-market boutiques, intimate restaurants and charming specialist shops. Otherwise, pop down Poland Street for a drink and snack at the excellent Porters Bar - a perfect respite from the crowds.
Nearest Underground stops: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Marble Arch