Oxford Circus is a road junction connecting Oxford Street and Regent Street in the West End of London. It is also the entrance to Oxford Circus tube station. The junction opened in 1819 as part of the Regent Street development under John Nash, and was originally known as Regent Circus North.
St George's Circus in London (left; click to enlarge) is a circular open space - as many important junctions were - at the meeting point of several roads, hence the term circus.
'Circus' in the square's name is actually a Latin word, which means a roundabout at a street junction. Piccadilly Circus has been expanded and reshaped several times since it was first opened, while the centrepiece fountain has stayed the same since it was erected in 1893.
Oxford Street's evolution into a destination for shopping
In the eighteenth century the brook was culverted, the gallows were moved, and the thoroughfare was increasingly known as Oxford Street. This name had already been established for some time, reflecting the street's use as the main route to Oxford.
Oxford Circus was designed as part of the development of Regent Street by the architect John Nash in 1810. It was later rebuilt (the four quadrants of the circus as seen today were designed by Sir Henry Tanner and constructed between 1913 and 1928).
Oxford Circus is a road junction connecting Oxford Street and Regent Street in the West End of London. It is also the entrance to Oxford Circus tube station. The junction opened in 1819 as part of the Regent Street development under John Nash, and was originally known as Regent Circus North.
In 1612 a man named Robert Baker built a mansion house just to the north of what is now Piccadilly Circus. He made his wealth from the sale of Picadils, stiff collars worn by the fashionable gents in court. Locals derisively called his mansion Picadil Hall, and so the name Piccadilly stuck. 2.
The term “Piccadilly” comes from a 17th-century tailor named Robert Baker, who sold a type of frilly collar called a “piccadill.” The “circus” part of the name comes from the Latin word for “circle,” which refers to the circular intersection at the heart of the landmark.
The line originated in the Great Northern, Piccadilly & Brompton Railway (GNP&BR), which was shortened to Piccadilly for convenience. As well as being the best-known location in the original company name, it is also the name of the main road it runs under between Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner.
In his espionage novels, author John le Carré placed the headquarters of the fictionalised British intelligence service based on MI6 in buildings on Shaftesbury Avenue and Cambridge Circus; it is from this that Le Carré's nickname for the agency, "The Circus", derives.
The square is famous for its neon signs, different displays and the Eros fountain located in the middle of this road junction, which is now one of the city's top landmarks. Piccadilly Circus offers a variety of cinemas, theatres, shops and restaurants, including famous traditional English pubs.
One of London's well-known areas, Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street in Europe with over 300 stores, including some of the world's most famous fashion brands.
Oxford Street runs for approximately 1.2 mi (1.9 km) and is entirely within the City of Westminster. The road begins at St Giles Circus as a westward continuation of New Oxford Street, meeting Charing Cross Road, Tottenham Court Road (next to Tottenham Court Road station).
The name Manchester originates from the Latin name Mamucium or its variant Mancunio. These names are generally thought to represent a Latinisation of an original Brittonic name. The generally accepted etymology of this name is that it comes from Brittonic *mamm- ("breast", in reference to a "breast-like hill").
Since then the Underground network, affectionately nicknamed the Tube by generations of Londoners, has grown to 272 stations and 11 lines stretching deep into the Capital's suburbs and beyond.
Why are Oxford circus and Piccadilly Circus called circus?
The term “Piccadilly” comes from a 17th-century tailor named Robert Baker, who sold a type of frilly collar called a “piccadill.” The “circus” part of the name comes from the Latin word for “circle,” which refers to the circular intersection at the heart of the landmark.
Cheap derives from the Old English ceapan meaning 'to buy'; and Cheapside was used as a term for a 'market-place' or markets area. The name is found in many towns, but most famously in London where surrounding streets tells of the products sold there: Bread Street, Honey Lane, Milk Street, Poultry.
Piccadilly Circus was used as the filming location in the film when Ron, Hermione, and Harry narrowly avoided being hit by a London bus. Iconic and world famous, Piccadilly Circus is a hugely busy location but definitely a must on any tour of Harry Potter in London.
Oxford didn't manage to escape the list and has a very silly street called Crotch Crescent. Tim Alcock from LeaseVan.co.uk said: “Some homeowners will see it as a curse while other families will love it, but one thing is for certain – living on or near a street with a silly name certainly isn't boring.
Located at the heart of London's West End, Regent Street is one of the world's most prestigious lifestyle destinations, famous for its flagship stores and international brands. Experience Regent Street, London's distinctive home of fashion, dining, wellness and lifestyle.
Oxford Street has been ranked as the most important retail location in Britain and the busiest shopping street in Europe. The pavements are congested because of shoppers and tourists, many of whom arrive at a tube station, and the roadway is regularly blocked by buses.
