Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road
4
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The area
Neighborhood: Westminster
If you only had an afternoon to experience London on a grand scale, Westminster would be a wise place to start. The ornate Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey sit adjacent at a corner of Parliament Square, and a short stroll along The Mall leads to Buckingham Palace. Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are just up the road as well. As captivating as the architecture is, the wonders of Mother Nature are highlights of the area too. St James's Park (arguably London's loveliest), the expansive Green Park, and pedestrian friendly tree lined paths along the river showcase the exquisite manicure provided by English gardeners. Just beyond the landmarks and the gorgeous outdoor spaces, quiet residential squares and age old local pubs offer a more subdued take on this global seat of power in the heart of London.
How to get there
- Leicester Square • 2 min walk
- Covent Garden • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,864 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
167 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
84
Average
31
Poor
1
Terrible
3
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Michel_Louise_2013
Quebec City, Canada28,261 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This cross (tower with an octagonal base rising on several floors with a spire and a cross at the top) commemorates the passage of the funeral procession which lasted 12 days (series of 12 crosses; one cross per day, at each of the stopping places ) of Queen Eleanor (or Eleanor) of Castile (1241-1290; wife of King Edward I of England, mother of his 14 children) who died at Harby, near the town of Lincoln, to her place of burial at Westminster Abbey, London. Erected in 1865, on the forecourt of Charing Cross station, this cross replaced the original marble cross, built between 1291 and 1294, at the request of King Edward I, in the southern part of Trafalgar Square (ground zero of London, occupied today by the equestrian statue of King Charles I). This original cross was made by the sculptor Alexander of Abingdon, according to the plans of the English master mason Richard of Crundale (….-1293). It was destroyed in 1647, by order of Parliament, as part of the First English Revolution. Measuring 21 m in height, the new cross (a replica inspired by various sources) was designed (Victorian Gothic style) by the British architect Edward Middleton Barry (1830-1880) and built in Portland stone (limestone), from Mansfield (fine sandstone) and Aberdeen granite, by the British sculptor Thomas Earp (1828-1893). Its last restoration was carried out from 2009 to 2010.

Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David-Kevin B
Washington DC, DC408 contributions
May 2020
London's Cockspur, Strand and Whitehall Streets all converge south of Trafalgar Square into the roundabout Charing Cross. The irony of the first street cannot be lost on those gathering there as it's marked by a statue of a large blue rooster sculpted by German artist Katharina Fritsch.
The neighborhood should be on your must-see list as it's the location of the Statue of Charles I; Nelson's Column, honoring Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar; and most importantly, The National Gallery, one of the greatest art museums in the world. The Gallery is home to some of the world's greatest paintings, like Sebastiano del Piombo's, "The Raising of Lazarus." Expecting to see them all in a single day is an exercise in futility.
You may want to visit the various galleries over a couple of days instead. Ensure you make time to enjoy sitting outside the Gallery's entrance, an area characterized by beautiful fountains and cafes.
#charingcross #londonnationalgallery
The neighborhood should be on your must-see list as it's the location of the Statue of Charles I; Nelson's Column, honoring Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar; and most importantly, The National Gallery, one of the greatest art museums in the world. The Gallery is home to some of the world's greatest paintings, like Sebastiano del Piombo's, "The Raising of Lazarus." Expecting to see them all in a single day is an exercise in futility.
You may want to visit the various galleries over a couple of days instead. Ensure you make time to enjoy sitting outside the Gallery's entrance, an area characterized by beautiful fountains and cafes.
#charingcross #londonnationalgallery
Written March 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,527 contributions
Jun 2020
Charing Cross Road will take you from Trafalgar Square to the junction with Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
In the heart of the West End if you walk up it you will just miss Chinatown, Leicester Square and Covent Garden but you can always take a little detour.
There are plenty of places to get something to eat and you will also pass a number of theatres too.
There are a few shops including the famous bookshop Foyles so enjoy your journey along this famous road.
In the heart of the West End if you walk up it you will just miss Chinatown, Leicester Square and Covent Garden but you can always take a little detour.
There are plenty of places to get something to eat and you will also pass a number of theatres too.
There are a few shops including the famous bookshop Foyles so enjoy your journey along this famous road.
Written July 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrewsal123
Allithwaite, UK9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We came in here yesterday because we find MOST all bar 1 as very good. So we ordered 2 hit chocolates the lady behind the bar was miserable. We got our 2 hot chocolates and the caramel popcorn they came Luke warm so WE POLITELY Aaaked the bar maid to sort HOT chocolate drinks out no smile no apology. When you work front of house and your customer is more polite and friendly than the staff then it’s time the staff sort their game out.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wandering Wonderings
Hastings, UK3,227 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Walked along this road to get from A to B. Lots of different things to see and loads of different places to eat. A few theatres too. Main road to connect you from Charing Cross station to Oxford Street.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart B
Deal, UK1,595 contributions
Nov 2019
Lively area of London, lot's of shopping, bars and resturants. Lot's of London attractions close by, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, H of P. Lots to see and do. Great transportation links.
Written November 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R
Dartford, UK1,371 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Also known as the A400 the Charing Cross Road runs from Trafalgar Square to Oxford Street and connects many well-known London areas. It is a very busy street for both pedestrians and cars etc. so keep your wits about you. Among other things it is known for its abundance of second-hand and modern bookshops. But as you walk you pass many famous theatres and other London landmarks. Worth a visit.
Written July 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shane😁😁
Northamptonshire, UK15,152 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Carving its way through many places of interest in the West end of London including Soho,Shaftesbury Avenue(theatreland) and Leicester Square is this busy bustling road.Many bookshops frequent,however it is a pleasure to wander with places to eat and drink dotted around too....you can walk from Oxford Street to the Strand in about 15 minutes.
Written February 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,666 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
If you are after an obscure book Charing Cross Road should be your first port of call. Foyles at the upper end of the street, near Tottenham Court Road was once the worlds largest bookshop. This megastore to the printed word has been trading on this street for over 100 years. It currently boast four miles of shelves.
For a less bewildering selection there are a concentration of smaller independent bookstores just north of Leicester Square station. Also of note is the side street Cecil Court, close to the Wyndham's Theatre. This narrow lane is lined with shops specialising in ancient maps, banknotes, stamps and any other printed matter you can imagine.
For a less bewildering selection there are a concentration of smaller independent bookstores just north of Leicester Square station. Also of note is the side street Cecil Court, close to the Wyndham's Theatre. This narrow lane is lined with shops specialising in ancient maps, banknotes, stamps and any other printed matter you can imagine.
Written February 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher U
London, UK194 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
Going North up Charing Cross Road, just past Leicester Square tube station and the Hippodrome, on the right is a modest looking second-hand bookshop called, Any Amount Of Books and it is a gem. With three boxes of '5 for £4' books outside plus a shelf in the doorway there are even more bargains inside. Not afraid to sell paperbacks as well as hard this is a constantly changing stock. I buy in here every week and sometimes more. Some bookshops keep the same stock for ages not this one. First the prices are the most competitive, then after a few weeks the basement stock is reduced and in the end everything is £1. This way you know the stock will never be the same because the basement is then cleared and re-filled. They have a few rare books but essentially this is a shop where you can get almost anything at a great price with great staff. The street used to be filled with bookshops but now there are three plus Foyles and this is the one I use all the time. Will check out when the new Foyles opens later this month.
Written June 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there still lots of small bookshops here? I'm coming next Spring. Also--do you know if the Penguin Bookshop in Covent Garden is still there?
Thank you
Fern
Written August 12, 2018
Foyles is still there but not as quirky as it used to be which may be a good thing.
Written August 13, 2018
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