Piccadilly Circus in London

The area took its name from the ruffled collars worn in the 1600's, called the "picadil" and is widely yet erroneously recognized as the heart of London. While it is centrally located within the city, it is only through actual geography that it is considered the heart of London. It does reflect, however, the London that most outsiders think of when they talk about the city with the red route master double decker buses and the statue of Eros. Piccadilly is actually a thorough fare to other destinations in London; Regent Street provides shopping, and "theaterland" is not far away located on Shaftesbury Avenue. Be sure to tour the 19th century Burlington Arcade for upscale tailors and specialty food shops. Gone are the department store for one stop shopping needs in Piccadilly, here you will find the local butcher, tailor, cheese and wine stores that people went to every day to get fresh food for their families. However, if old and quaint isn't your style, stay at the Le Meridien Piccadilly Hotel for a hotel with a first rate high tech fitness center and spa. Its only a stroll back after your work out for some of the nightlife. Piccadilly, like most sections of London, opens up at night after a hard days work for clubbing, pub hopping, and some of the finest late night restaurants.