London is a city full of icons. Many of its buildings are recognised around the world, and there are plenty of architectural gems to be found. The Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace are amongst the highlights; but in reality the list could go on for a really long time.
Having been founded nearly 2,000 years ago by the Roman Empire, London has seen its fair share of change. It has been raised to the ground several times due to fire destruction, war and natural disaster- so it would be fair to say the city has been redesigned on a few different occasions.
Modern day London is home to more than just incredible buildings though, in fact some of the streets themselves often steal the limelight. Many cities have amazing squares, like Times Square in New York or Place de la Concorde in Paris, but London seems to be made of gorgeous public squares.
They often feature in movies and are generally a convergence of streets that are lined with incredible buildings. They are great places to meet with friends, or simply to sit and enjoy the architecture that seems to surround them- you can even chill on the grass in some world famous garden squares.
If you have taken advantage of the best London West End Stay Package by booking a room at the Piccadilly London West End, then not only are you perfectly situated to explore the city, but also conveniently located near one of London’s most famous squares. So let’s start there as we look at the best public squares London has to offer.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is perhaps London’s most iconic and recognisable square. Originally formed in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly it now connects several other roads and is something of a hub for the area. Used in many international blockbusters, not least Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, this square is instantly recognizable as being the United Kingdom’s capital. The iconic Coca Cola light up billboard and the seemingly endless stream of double decker buses, coupled with the incredible statue of Eros, really makes this a unique place. From here you easily reach the best shopping in London, the West End theatres, and pretty much anywhere else in the city centre. If you are looking for a Meeting Place Near Piccadilly Circus to try and find your friends, then try beneath the Coca Cola billboard, it is hard to miss…
Leicester Square
In the 1600s the Earl of Leicester began constructing a massive house and square garden that would be open to the public. The house has since been demolished to make way for city buildings, but the square remains to this day, and is perhaps the busiest in London. With over 2.5 million visitors per week, this is truly the place to be. Surrounded by iconic theatres, cinemas, luxury hotels, casinos and toy stores, Leicester Square truly became a hub for the city. There are many movie premieres here every year, and some of the largest bands in history have performed in the area. It was redeveloped in 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics, and is now a leafy and beautifully calming space in the midst of glitz and glamour.
Parliament Square
Parliament Square is the place to head if you are seeking iconic London pictures. It sits at the North West end of Westminster Palace, and is within a short walk of Buckingham Palace, Horseguards Parade and No. 10 Downing Street. The Square itself is dominated by the Elizabeth Tower (home to the world famous Big Ben) and of course Westminster Abbey. There is a small lawn with a few trees on it, but the main focus will always be the incredible historic buildings surrounding this amazing place.
Covent Garden Piazza
Piazza is unsurprisingly the Italian word for ‘square’- and Covent Garden’s world famous Piazza is truly a sight to behold. Surrounded by buildings designed to mimic famous Italian Piazza style buildings is an area that is pretty unique. The open space that forms the square has become a hive for street performers from all over the world. From escapologists, to comedic musicians and the classic mimes. Just grab a seat and enjoy some time watching these incredible displays. The Piazza buildings themselves are home to some of London’s most unique boutiques and international fashion brands, so if you are after a bit of shopping then this is the spot to be. The old fruit and vegetable market has been converted into a world class covered shopping and dining area, home to some of the best Restaurants West End London has to offer. Pop in for some street entertainment, and stay for the food and shopping- not to mention the gorgeous architecture.
Trafalgar square
Trafalgar Square is surely one of London’s most historic and well recognised areas. Originally home to the Great Mews Stabling, which served Whitehall Palace. In the early 1800s development began, and plans were presented to turn the area into a public space surrounded by cultural landmarks. In 1830 it was officially named Trafalgar Square and work began to construct Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery, both of which sit proudly in the square today. The Beautiful fountains and the gorgeous architecture make this a truly special place, and the presence of Admiralty Arch that leads you straight as an arrow to Buckingham Palace, makes the whole place seem almost unreal. This hub for culture and public expression has made it one of the city’s most important areas for democracy and free speech, and the Mayor himself allows the space to be used for protests on various issues throughout the year. It is truly a place for the public.
So there you have it, the most interesting, beautiful and important public squares in London. All of these places are free to visit, and no trip to the city would be complete without ticking at least a couple of them off the list.
