Corporate Accommodation in Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a great place to base oneself as a business traveller as it is very much a fun part of London, very much removed from the corporate areas of the Docklands and the City. Corporate visitors are increasingly demanding more leisure time on their business trips and there aren’t many more leisurely places than Piccadilly in London. Leisurely in terms of being full of fun, rather than laid back!
Although it is in London’s West End, it is still well connected to all of the central business districts so commuting to and from the office is always going to be incredibly easy.
In terms of the serviced apartments in Piccadilly themselves, they cater for all the demands a modern business traveller has. The mod-cons of everyday life such as flat screen TVs, entertainment systems and high speed wi-fi are all included as standard.
A relaxing lounge area for use after a hard day at the office, plus a fully equipped kitchen area for preparing meals at home are also of huge appeal.
Holiday Accommodation in Piccadilly
For anybody who’s one of the millions of people that flock to London every year on holiday, it’s difficult to imagine a better place to stay than Piccadilly. The West End is famed as one of the entertainment capitals of the world. Plus, its central location is also fantastic in terms of accessing the major monuments and attractions across the rest of London.
Not only that, the serviced apartments in Piccadilly are themselves an attraction. Anyone who has tried to have a decent vacation whilst sharing a single room as a family of four will appreciate what they have to offer. As will people travelling as a group who have previously booked separate hotel rooms, but can now share an apartment with separate bedrooms but a welcome space to relax and even cook in.
Every property is selected according to a checklist of must have amenities. These include things as simple as having modern, tasteful decor through to being located close to transport hubs for ease of travel.
Where to Stay in Piccadilly
There are many choices of accommodation in the Piccadilly area and beyond, as outlined above. Bloomsbury, for example is in the West End of London but is a more upmarket residential area. Camden is in northwest London and is one of London’s alternative culture areas.
Kings Cross is a recently regenerated area of London. It not only provides access to the North of England, St Pancras International also provided services further afield into mainland Europe. Leicester Square is London’s cinema area, most major movies will have their premiers at one of the cinemas to be found here.
Facts About Piccadilly
Piccadilly is known for glitz and glamour, both from its proximity to London’s renowned Theatreland and its upmarket areas including Mayfair, home of the famed Ritz Hotel.
Here are some other things that aren’t necessarily as well known.
- Piccadilly used to be called Portugal Street after Charles II’s Portuguese wife, Catherine of Braganza.
- The name Piccadilly came from a tailor who ran a shop at the beginning of the 17th century selling piccadill collars. He built a house called Piccadilly House and the name stuck. But no-one knows when Portugal Street became Piccadilly. Both were used until the middle of the 18th century.
- The oldest bookshop in the UK can be found in the street. Hatchards started on the street in 1797 and has been in the current spot since 1801.
- St James’s Church Piccadilly, sometimes hidden behind a market, is a little known church designed by Sir Christopher Wren. He of St Paul’s Cathedral fame.
- London’s oldest covered shopping arcade can be found here. The Burlington Arcade has been around since 1819.
- The Fortnum & Mason clock features both Mr Fortum and Mr Mason who emerge and bow to each other every hour.
- The Hard Rock Cafe can be found in locations all over the planet. It has an American style and was actually founded by two Americans. But the first ever location was in Piccadilly in 1971.
Cost of Living in Piccadilly
Piccadilly is not the cheapest area of London, but that much should be obvious from the outset. It runs through London’s West End so is packed with tourists due to its proximity to the capital’s most popular landmarks and attractions, not to mention the famous Theatreland.
The real estate in the area is therefore some of the most expensive in London, new-build flats are currently being sold for anything between £10 million and £30 million.
Traditional rental prices can be between £2,800 and £12,000 per month with the average being around the £8,000 mark.
Fortunately for the savvy traveller, there are savings to be made, not least in the renting of serviced apartments in Piccadilly. They not only offer long term savings, they also dispel with the need for tedious things such as contracts and tenancy agreements.
The other savings to be made are on travel. Piccadilly is within walking distance of quite a few major attractions, not to mention many company offices.
When it comes to eating out, as you would expect from a place popular with tourists, there are many poor quality, high cost restaurants looking to pull in the crowds to cover their high rent costs. Look off of the main streets to find a better quality bargain when it comes to eating out.
Tips for Visiting Piccadilly
Staying in or around the area of Piccadilly means staying right in the heart of London, arguably one of the most diverse cities to be found in the world. People spending time in this area in order to work or play soon find out how easy it is to do both of those things from this location. Practically every street has an attraction to see at some point and the area has a large number of companies based there too.
Despite all the advantages, due to the crowds, staying in Piccadilly can be a bit overwhelming, here are some tips to get by.
- See if walking is possible. There are plenty of tube stations and buses around, but these are some of the most crowded sections of the line. Try walking first, there’s plenty to see in between stops.
- Head west to South Kensington (on the Piccadilly Line). This is London’s ‘museum quarter’, and the majority are free entry.
- Don’t necessarily eat out in Piccadilly itself. These are mainly restaurants aimed squarely at tourists and they tend to be poor quality and expensive. Though this isn’t always the case.
- An Oyster Card is the most cost effective way of travel on public transport. Remember, London buses don not take cash.
- Do not drive into Piccadilly or Piccadilly Circus. It’s incredibly slow, very expensive and parking is pretty much impossible anywhere!
- Visit Piccadilly Circus for photographs in both the day and the night to get the contrast.
Things to Do in Piccadilly
To put together a full list of things to do in and around the Piccadilly area would take a while! These are just some examples, more will certainly be discovered, especially for people who choose to walk about the city.
Q. What are the most popular landmarks in Piccadilly?
There’s plenty of famous things to see along Piccadilly. The most famous, based in Piccadilly Circus, is actually referred to by almost everyone by completely the wrong name!
- Eros statue (colloquially and erroneously called this - it is in fact the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain and the statue is of Anteros, the brother of Eros).
- Fortnum & Mason.
- Criterion Theatre.
- The Ritz Hotel.
- Hard Rock Café.
- Burlington Arcade.
Q. What are some free things to do in Piccadilly?
Free things are a premium in London and especially in a bustling place like Piccadilly. Here are a few suggestions.
- The museums of Kensington (including the Natural History, Science and V&A).
- Photos (‘Eros’, The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason etc).
- See the lights at Piccadilly Circus.
- Look for Harry Potter locations (Tip: Piccadilly Circus is one!).
Q.Are there many excursions to be had from Piccadilly?
Due to its location the list of excursions to be had from Piccadilly is endless. Every London attraction, landmark and sight is easily accessible. From Piccadilly tube station the mainline stations of King’s Cross and St Pancras are also available, giving access to most major northern England and Scottish stations as well as high speed connections to mainland Europe.
A day trip to Paris is a real possibility from London!
Piccadilly is also within walking distance of London Charing Cross and London Victoria, both mainline stations giving access to the south of England as far as the coast. The latter is also a major coach station which opens up almost every city in the UK and beyond.
Q. What are the most family-friendly things to do in Piccadilly
The aforementioned museums in Kensington are some of the best things to do with kids in London. Not only are they free (though contributions are encouraged), kids also love dinosaurs and science. The V&A has a large exhibition of children’s toys too.
Hamleys, the largest and oldest toy shop in the world, has its flagship store in Regent Street, just a short walk away. Kids will love it, parents may have to take a sedative after visiting!
Places to Visit in Piccadilly
Whether working locally or using it as a base to see London’s attractions, Piccadilly and the surrounding area itself has plenty to offer and shouldn’t be missed.
- Hatchards - the oldest bookshop in the UK.
- Green Park - No playgrounds or ponds, just green and refreshing.
- Fortnum & Mason - Department store, specialises in amazing food.
- St James’s Palace - Home of royals, used to be the residence of the monarch themselves.
- Piccadilly Circus - London’s version of Times Square, but much smaller.
- Piccadilly Theatre - The place to see classic shows.
- Faraday Museum - A smaller science museum.
- Mayfair - Very exclusive part of London, hence its Monopoly board price.
Places to Eat in Piccadilly
As previously mentioned, there is no shortage of places to eat in the Piccadilly area, but the quality and the prices charged can be questionable. Here are a selection of recommended eateries to try.
- San Carlo Cicchetti.
- Le Deli Robuchon.
- Quaglino’s.
- Hard Rock Café.
- Inamo Covent Garden.
- Haymarket Kitchen.
- Berenjak.
- Casita Andina.
Shopping in Piccadilly
London is a haven for those who love shopping and Piccadilly is a dream place to stay. It is within walking distance of one of the most famous shopping districts in the world, as well as countless more retail fixes.
- Oxford Street/Regent Street - Needs no introduction.
- Burlington Arcade - The original shopping mall.
- Covent Garden - Famous shopping district.
- Carnaby Street - Iconic since the sixties.
- Selfridges - Department store, shopping experience in itself.
Transportation in Piccadilly
There are buses and tube stations galore, covering nearly every line. There is also easy access to at least four major mainline railway stations and a coach station. These give access to every city in the UK as well as to mainline Europe via St Pancras International and Victoria Coach Station.
The following tube stations all have entrances in or near Piccadilly.
- Green Park (Zone 1 - Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria).
- Hyde Park Corner (Zone 1 - Piccadilly).
- Piccadilly Circus (Zone 1 - Piccadilly, Bakerloo).
Weather in Piccadilly
Seasoned travellers to London will know that waterproofs and an umbrella are essential items when spending any time in the city.
London is fairly mild year round. There are some occasional cold days although it rarely snows, not enough to settle anyway.
There are also some occasional very hot days. These are largely welcomed by all who don’t have to travel on public transport, which is rarely air-conditioned.
The best tip for the weather in London? Wear layers and take a bag. The ability to put on and remove clothes as the unpredictable weather changes will be appreciated.
