Piccadilly Circus

And just around the corner is Leicester Square, the epicentre of all things hollywood in London, this area definately has a buzz about it with the statue of Charlie Chaplin in the centre of the park keeping the crowds under close survailance in the park. I should mention that this area never seems to sleep.

As the Tower of London symbolizes the City, and the Houses of Parliament Westminster, so the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus epitomizes London's West End. This is the area where London shows off the smart shops, the best shops of course, luxurious hotels, theatres, cinemas, nightclubs, discotheques and fine restaurants. This area is the centre of the West End.

Westward from the Circus stretches as far as Hyde Park Corner passing the Ritz Hotel and Green park. Park Lane runs north from Hyde Park Corner along the edge of the park. Some of London's most luxurious hotels look out across Park lane to the inviting green acres of Hyde Park. Marble Arch is a famous landmark which effectively sits at the western limits of London's West End. The arch was moved to its present position in 1851.

These four streets; Piccadilly, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Park Lane form the periphery of the square mile known as mayfair. Though Mayfair is no longer exclusively home to the wealthy, it retains an air of affluence, and this is especially noticeable in Bond Street, the High Street of Mayfair - high referring only to quality and price by the way.

On the north side of Piccadilly, along side Burlington House, a covered arcade of single storey shops leads through to Burlington Gardens. This is the Burlington Arcade, the most exclusive arcade in London.

During shopping hours, (it closes after dark) it is full from end to end with tourists, a United nations of Shoppers, magnetized by the opulent displays of cashmeres and cameras, silver,shirts, pewter, ivory, tweeds, linen, leather and infinite riches in the smallest showroom you have ever seen.

But, London is more than a collection of historical buildings, essential viewing though they really are. But, taking in a show or theatre performance in
the West End of town is a must do.

Also, shopping in the grand stores of London is another must do, and can be especially found on; Oxford Street, Regent Street, Charing Cross Road, and Covent Garden, just to mention a few. Walking these streets will be an experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

Also, dining out in this area of London's restaurants that span the culinary arts of the globe can be a wonderful experience. Just a few minutes walk away you could find yourself strolling in Kensington Gardens, or the embankment along the river Thames. This alone on a summers day doesn't get any better than this. And when you think about it, it's no wonder that most visitors to England never get beyond London.

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