Lady About London: Piccadilly Circus
November 25, 2012
There are few places more iconic and recognizable when it comes to intersections than London’s Piccadilly Circus. Where the arc of Regent Street meets Shaftesbury Avenue, Haymarket, and Coventry Street, in a miss-mash of incongruent angles and the unmistakable Sanyo sign is lit up like a Christmas tree. And speaking of Christmas…
I’ve always got myself a bit turned around at Piccadilly circus, although I can always seem to find the Ritz, so I appreciate that each street has their own set of Christmas lights this year to light my way. A stroll up Regent Street toward Oxford Circus is guided this year by antler themed lights and the Twelve Days of Christmas as you find yourself passing Burberry, Liberty of London, Karen Millen, COS (a new favorite). and American expats Anthropologie, the iStore, and J.Crew (coming Fall 2013) .
A walk down Piccadilly will land you at the Ritz London after you pass Fortnum & Masons, Debeers (wink, wink). The Royal Academy of Art, Piccadilly Arcade, and Burlington Arcade, one of the oldest shopping spots in London. And if you have some serious cash to spend while your there, The Vintage Watch Company has the largest and most distinguished collection of Rolexes on display anywhere in the world. A particular favorite are the women’s eveПing watches dating back to the 1920’s… if any one was thinking about getting me a Christmas present. Other not-to-miss shops in Burlington Arcade include Lauderee for French macaroons, Lulu Guinness, Globe Trotter, Wartski (the jeweler who created Kate Middleton’s wedding band). and Michael Rose.