If you’re hunting for the most Instagrammable photo spots around Piccadilly Circus, you’re in for more than just neon and crowds. Whether you’re a globe-trotting photographer, a business traveller sneaking in a lunchtime stroll, or a London local looking to see the city through new eyes, the area around Thistle London Piccadilly teems with iconic backdrops and colourful corners that will give your feed that winning London look. As one of the friendliest and most centrally located Hotels in London, we know all the best angles – and we’re happy to share.
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Piccadilly Circus has always been at the beating heart of London’s West End, bringing together visitors and locals amongst a whirl of LED advertising screens, the famous London Underground sign, and a carnival of city energy. For photographers, it’s prime territory at any hour. Get here at sunrise for quiet architectural shots, or come after dark when the neon glows and the intersection thrums with life. If you want a crisp shot, stake your spot near the traffic island. For a lively frame, include passing double-deckers and city-goers – just keep an eye on the pedestrian crossings, as this spot moves quickly.
Read more about Piccadilly Circus at Visit London
A few steps from the bustle, you’ll find the bronze Statue of Eros, perched atop the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. This graceful, instantly recognisable sculpture is a true London icon. Aim for early morning if you’d like the details without a sea of heads, but stay late for crowd scenes that add London buzz to your photo carousel. It’s a favoured meet-up point, so candid snaps are reliably gold.
Read more about the Statue of Eros at TripAdvisor
From Thistle London Piccadilly, a stroll up Regent Street is a must for cityscape lovers. The curve of the grand facades, especially around the Quadrant, provides superb leading lines and perspective shots. During the winter, the sky fills with luminous angels for Christmas – but year-round, the stonework and bustle are magnetic. Weekday mornings are your best bet for wide shots with fewer passers-by. Business visitors often pop out here between meetings for a quick dose of classic London, while leisure guests find endless windows for browsing and frames overflowing with style.
Read more about Regent Street at Jou Jou Travels
Step off Oxford Street and into a world of whimsy at Sketch, one of the best photo spots in London for eye-popping interiors. The egg-shaped bathroom pods alone bring a futuristic twist to your stories, and the plush pink Gallery room is pure pastel enchantment. For business travellers looking for an unusual meeting spot, or leisure guests after a memorable afternoon tea, every corner demands a snapshot. Reservations are a must, and do check dress codes – you’ll want your outfit to match the surrounds.
Find out more about Sketch here
Just beyond Piccadilly Circus, the National Gallery crowns Trafalgar Square with its grand Neoclassical columns and stone steps. It’s a superb setting for architectural shots, and the early evening golden hour gives the façade a warm texture. Inside, the galleries offer a chance for restrained, light-filled shots of masterpieces – always respecting indoor photography policies, of course. If you’re at Thistle London Piccadilly for a conference, take a short break and you could be in front of Van Gogh’s sunflowers in under ten minutes.
Find out more about National Gallery here
For those who like street photography with a side of culture, Shaftesbury Avenue is the destination. This historic avenue is famed for its West End theatres, eclectic crowds, and rich blend of architectural styles. At twilight, when theatre-goers flock in and marquees flicker to life, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice: illuminated playbills, close-ups of ornate stonework, and pure London energy. The avenue’s quieter at weekday noon, but the buzz builds as curtain-up approaches.
Read more about Shaftesbury Avenue at Jou Jou Travels
Tucked away behind Covent Garden’s main squares, Neal’s Yard is a secret garden of colour, ideal for charming, off-the-beaten-track shots. Each wall is painted in bold tones, and ivy spills from window boxes onto the brick. Organic cafes and independent shops invite candid portraits with a natural edge. Arrive mid-morning, after the shops open but before the lunchtime rush, to catch good light and space to compose your shot. Locals use this route to escape Covent Garden crowds, and you’ll pick up a picturesque pastry while you photo-hunt.
Read more about Neal’s Yard at Jou Jou Travels
If you thrive on motion and spectacle, Leicester Square offers constant inspiration. Performers, buskers, cinema premieres, and tourists from every nation throng this plaza. Night-time neons add dimension to crowd scenes, but you’ll find great portraits and street photography at any hour. The little garden at the square’s centre is ideal for relaxed group shots between daytime meetings, while the surrounding cinemas ensure you’re never far from a taste of classic London glamour.
Read more about Leicester Square at Visit London
If your Instagram follows the seasons, don’t miss Wild at Heart – a flower shop beloved for its cascading blooms and photo-ready storefront. The quality of soft natural light here, paired with the florist’s artistic arrangements, creates images with a fresh, organic feel. Arrive just after opening to capture displays before bouquets start selling out, or pop by late to find evening shadows and quieter foot traffic.
Read more about Wild at Heart at Alyson Haley
A little further out, but well worth a Tubeline ride, is The Churchill Arms in Kensington. Its exterior evolves with the seasons: wildflower tunnels in summer and an explosion of Christmas trees come winter. Corporate teams love it for informal after-work snapshots, while leisure guests make a special trip for the sheer spectacle. Inside, charming bric-a-brac and a genuine local atmosphere present more than enough for a distinctive shot.
Find out more about The Churchill Arms here
Biscuiteers in Notting Hill combines gourmet treats with a pastel-coated façade. For those whose photos lean towards food, fashion, and design, this bakery is a delight: think artfully plated biscuits and whimsical window displays. Snap cakes by the window and enjoy afternoon tea – it’s a superb way to combine leisure and workday treat in one go.
Read more about Biscuiteers at Jou Jou Travels
For cheerful, eye-catching backdrops, Peggy Porschen’s is a classic. The pink shop front, intricate sugar flowers, and changing seasonal décor give variety to repeat visitors. Drop by early in the week to avoid queues; the signature cupcakes double as irresistible props. Perfect for both style-seekers and business guests looking to sweeten up a meeting.
Read more about Peggy Porschen’s at Jou Jou Travels
Staying at Thistle London Piccadilly brings more than just easy access to these good photo spots in London. Our guests get early starts on the city, advice from a team who live and breathe London’s hidden angles, and secure, central accommodation for both leisure escapes and business trips. We recommend packing a compact camera or smartphone with a solid battery pack, bringing a lightweight umbrella (this is London, after all), and planning your route the night before to maximise your time.
Want a tailored photography walk, private workspace, or breakfast with a prime neon view? Ask our front desk or check our exclusive guest packages. We’re always happy to help you find that next great shot.
Begin at Piccadilly Circus itself, taking in both the light displays and the Statue of Eros. From there, head along Regent Street for its striking facades, then cut across to Shaftesbury Avenue for a theatrical city feel. Finish at Soho or Leicester Square, both within a 10-minute walk.
Absolutely. Solo travellers appreciate the abundance of safe, active streets and cafés dotted throughout the West End. Groups will find plenty of space and variety for memorable snaps, whether you’re here for business or leisure. Many locations, like National Gallery or Wild at Heart, are especially suited to styled group photos.
Certainly. Many, such as Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, and even Sketch, are perfect for quick visits in between meetings or after work. Thistle London Piccadilly is ideally located for making the most of limited breaks, ensuring you capture London’s best without needing to venture far.
Some venues, especially Sketch and Biscuiteers for tea or sit-down lunches, do require booking. Museums like the National Gallery operate timed entry at peak periods. Public spaces around Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Regent Street are freely accessible at all times, though events or premieres may limit access briefly.
Each season has its highlights: summer blooms at The Churchill Arms and Wild at Heart, autumn leaves on Regent Street, Christmas lights and decor all across the West End. Early spring weekends offer good light with fewer crowds. As always, pack for variable weather and try early mornings for a quieter city.
