The name Piccadilly would derive, according to well-informed sources, from a type of collar, the pickadil, invented in the 1600s by one of the many tailors whose shops still survive in Savile Row. The area is one of the highest, most expensive and, unfortunately, also busiest in London, with a number of very prestigious and expensive shops, bars, and galleries.
Piccadilly Circus
The focal point is Piccadilly Circus, the square recognizable by the large advertising signs and the bronze statue of Eros, which towers over the continuous flow of people, the honking of buses and taxis, the neon signs of shopping centers that unfortunately overshadow the beauty and elegance of the stucco facades of the buildings.
Despite everything, the area is not lacking in gems and curiosities, such as Hatchard’s, considered the most beautiful bookstore in London, already known in the times of Lord Byron, whose owner, Mr. Hatchard, was a staunch supporter of the abolition of slavery. Or the Fortnum & Mason stores, a renowned temple of gastronomy, groceries, wines, tea, and, more generally, luxury at the table.
Map of Piccadilly and other London neighborhoods
Royal Academy of Arts
Cozy and charming, St. James’s Church is an Anglican church framed by a garden that, on weekends, hosts a craft market. But the oldest building in Piccadilly is Burlington House, home to the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts, dating back to the 17th century, despite the later modifications dictated by Palladian taste.
Trafalgar Square
In this area, there are also major museums, such as the National Gallery, opposite Trafalgar Square, one of the richest art galleries in the world, with over 2300 paintings, covering a very long period, from the mid-13th century to the early 20th century, representing all the painting schools and currents of Western thought. The main body of the building is in neoclassical style and most of the paintings, arranged in chronological order, are located on the main floor divided into four wings.
