Best Attractions Near Carlton Gardens (Devon)
Planning a trip to Carlton Gardens? Discover the best attractions nearby with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best attractions near Carlton Gardens
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- Closest to Carlton Gardens
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- Time to spend: shortest first
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50 attractions
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Plaza4.6★123,506 reviews
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square, located in central London’s City of Westminster, is a celebrated public square named after the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. Dominated by Nelson’s Column and surrounded by iconic lion statues and fountains, it serves as a vibrant civic space hosting cultural events, protests, and seasonal festivities like the famous annual Christmas tree lighting gifted by Norway.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Park and Garden4.7★57,749 reviews
St James's Park
St James's Park is London’s oldest Royal Park, a calm stretch of lawns, paths, and water set between Buckingham Palace and Westminster. It is less about grand attractions than about the experience of walking through a formal city landscape softened by trees, birds, and long views. Most visitors come for a short, scenic pause between nearby sights, then linger by the lake or on a bench.
Daily 5:00–24:00Time to spend 0.5–4 hrs
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Art museum4.7★48,856 reviews
The National Gallery
Located in Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery in London houses one of the world's greatest collections of Western European paintings, spanning from the mid-13th century to 1900. Free to enter, it features iconic works by artists such as Van Gogh, Titian, Rembrandt, and Turner, attracting over two million visitors annually. The gallery offers a rich cultural experience with regular exhibitions, expert-led tours, and late openings on Fridays.
Time to spend 2–4 hrs
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Performing arts theatre4.7★13,706 reviews
His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty’s Theatre is one of central London’s most recognisable West End playhouses, a Grade II* listed building on Haymarket with a polished, performance-first atmosphere. Visitors come for scheduled shows rather than casual browsing, most famously long-running musical theatre. Expect ornate historic interiors, a compact auditorium, and a smart-casual crowd arriving in waves before curtain-up.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–5 hrs
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Performing arts theatre4.7★8,316 reviews
Prince of Wales Theatre
On Coventry Street, a few steps from Piccadilly Circus, the Prince of Wales Theatre is a polished West End house built for big-ticket musical nights. The experience is tightly choreographed: arrive early, queue with the crowd, pass through the foyer, and settle in for a scheduled performance rather than casual sightseeing. It is busiest before curtain-up and at interval, when the surrounding streets fill with theatre-goers.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–5 hrs
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Performing arts theatre4.6★5,510 reviews
Theatre Royal Haymarket
On Haymarket, a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, Theatre Royal Haymarket is one of London’s oldest working playhouses. The Grade I listed building dates to 1720 and still functions as a compact, performance-led theatre rather than a sightseeing stop. Expect a smart-casual crowd, a heritage interior, and a visit shaped around curtain-up, interval drinks, and a quick exit into the West End.
Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–4 hrs
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Cinema4.5★4,630 reviews
Picturehouse Central
Picturehouse Central is a seven-screen cinema beside Piccadilly Circus, pairing arthouse and mainstream films with a café, restaurant, bar and event spaces. Inside, the mood is polished and urban: lift access, comfortable seating, and a steady flow of filmgoers rather than sightseeing crowds. It works well for a rainy-day stop, a pre-theatre drink, or a special screening in the middle of the West End.
Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–4 hrs
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Performing arts theatre4.5★3,433 reviews
The Harold Pinter Theatre
A compact West End theatre with a long commercial history, the Harold Pinter Theatre draws audiences for scheduled plays rather than casual browsing. Expect a polished indoor setting, a busy foyer before curtain-up, and the concentrated rhythm of drinks, seating, interval, and exit. Its appeal lies in the performance and the surrounding theatre district, not in grand architecture or all-day sightseeing.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–5 hrs
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Performing arts theatre4.6★3,351 reviews
The Criterion Theatre
Nestled beneath the bustling heart of Piccadilly Circus, the Criterion Theatre is a historic West End venue renowned for its intimate atmosphere and Victorian elegance. Opened in 1874 and designed by Thomas Verity, this underground theatre seats around 588 people across three levels, offering a unique theatrical experience with a rich history of comedy and drama. Its preserved architecture and proximity to the iconic Eros statue make it a must-visit for theatre lovers in London.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
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Shopping Centre4.5★2,620 reviews
Burlington Arcade
Burlington Arcade, opened in 1819, is London’s oldest covered shopping arcade, nestled in the heart of Mayfair at 51 Piccadilly. This elegant, 179-metre-long arcade offers a refined shopping experience with over 40 exclusive boutiques featuring fine jewellery, luxury accessories, and bespoke footwear. Known for its timeless Regency charm, strict etiquette upheld by the iconic Beadles, and a tranquil atmosphere away from the city bustle, it remains a favored destination for discerning shoppers and visitors seeking a glimpse of London’s aristocratic heritage.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Grosvenor Casino, Piccadilly
On Coventry Street, a few steps from Piccadilly Circus, Grosvenor Casino The Rialto blends 24-hour gaming with a bar, casual dining and live sport inside a Grade II listed West End building. It is less a sightseeing stop than an adult-focused night out, with a polished interior, mezzanine level and a steady flow of theatre-goers, locals and late-night visitors.
Open 24 hoursPrice level $$Time to spend 0.5–6 hrs
Hatchards - Piccadilly
At 187 Piccadilly, Hatchards is a working bookshop with the feel of a literary institution. Shelves of fiction, non-fiction, children’s titles, rare editions and signed copies fill a compact, traditional interior that rewards slow browsing. Founded in 1797, it draws readers, collectors and anyone interested in London’s bookish heritage.
Mon–Sat 9:30–20:00 · Sun 12:00–18:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Tootbus London
Tootbus London is less a single sight than a working sightseeing base in the West End, where open-top buses leave Coventry Street for loops past London’s major landmarks. It suits travellers who want a practical overview of the city, with live bus tracking, onboard commentary, and the option to hop off and rejoin later. Expect a busy, tourist-heavy street setting rather than a lingering stop.
Daily 9:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–6 hrs
ODEON Luxe Haymarket
A central London multiplex with a premium edge, ODEON Luxe Haymarket is built for a timed visit rather than a lingering one. Set on Panton Street near Piccadilly Circus and the West End theatres, it pairs film screenings with food and drink in a controlled, indoor setting. Expect a polished lobby, dark auditoriums, and a steady flow of evening and weekend audiences.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
The Red Lion, Mayfair
The Red Lion is a long-running Mayfair pub that trades on atmosphere as much as drinks. Behind its street frontage, the interior feels compact and old-fashioned, with ornate glasswork and the kind of worn, close-set room that suits a quick pint or a simple meal. It is less a sightseeing stop than a working pub with real historic weight.
Mon–Sat 11:00–23:00 · Sun 12:00–20:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.3–3 hrs
Mall Galleries
On The Mall, between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, Mall Galleries is a compact contemporary art venue built around temporary shows, open exhibitions, and artist-led events. Expect three interlinking galleries, a café, and a shop rather than a vast museum. The mood is calm and specialist, with figurative and portrait work taking centre stage.
Price level $Time to spend 0.8–3 hrs
Comedy Carnival Leicester Square
Comedy Carnival Leicester Square is a seated, late-night stand-up club on Haymarket, set in the West End’s theatre-and-bar corridor. Expect a ticketed evening of rotating comics, crowd interaction, and drinks rather than a sightseeing stop. It is compact, indoor, and built for a social night out, with the busiest atmosphere on Thursday to Saturday evenings.
Thu 19:00–22:15 · Fri–Sat 19:30–22:30Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
Piccadilly Arcade
Piccadilly Arcade is a covered Edwardian shopping arcade linking Piccadilly and Jermyn Street in St James’s. It is compact, polished and quietly upscale, with specialist shops focused on tailoring, jewellery and other premium goods. Most visitors pass through in 10 to 20 minutes, using it as a sheltered shortcut and a place to linger over shopfront details rather than a full-scale attraction.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Lillywhites
Lillywhites is a large, multi-floor sports shop on Regent Street near Piccadilly Circus, known for football kits, running shoes, cricket gear and branded activewear. It is less a sightseeing stop than a practical West End shopping address, but its long association with London sports retail gives it a distinct place in the area’s commercial history. Expect a busy, functional browse rather than a leisurely attraction.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Berry Bros. & Rudd Wine Shop
Berry Bros. & Rudd, established in 1698, is Britain's oldest family-run wine and spirits merchant, now located at 63 Pall Mall, London. Renowned for its rich heritage, the shop originally started as a grocer’s selling coffee and exotic goods near St James’s Palace. Today, it offers an extensive selection of fine wines, spirits, and its award-winning No. 3 London Dry Gin, while maintaining royal warrants and a legacy of quality and tradition.
Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–18:00Price level $$$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
The Book Of Mormon
One of the West End’s most talked-about musicals, The Book of Mormon plays in the Prince of Wales Theatre near Piccadilly Circus. Expect a tightly timed evening or matinee, not a drop-in visit: arrive before curtain, pass through compact foyer spaces, then settle into a lively auditorium for sharp satire, fast pacing, and audience laughter. The setting is pure central London theatre district, with heavy footfall before and after performances.
Price level $$Time to spend 2.5–5 hrs
Spencer House
Spencer House is one of central London’s most refined historic interiors: an 18th-century aristocratic townhouse with guided access to eight restored State Rooms. Set off St James’s Place near Green Park, it feels formal and compact rather than grandly public. Visitors come for neoclassical decoration, family history, and a rare glimpse of a private palace preserved in the middle of the city.
Sun 10:30–16:30Price level $$Time to spend 0.8–2.5 hrs
Christie's London
At 8 King Street in St. James’s, Christie’s London is less a sightseeing stop than a working stage for the art market. Visitors come for previews, sales, and private appointments in a formal indoor setting where fine art, jewellery, and design objects are handled with precision. The atmosphere is polished and businesslike, with the pace shaped by the auction calendar rather than casual footfall.
Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
This signed seven-mile memorial route threads through St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, linking palace views, plaques and open parkland. It is less a single sight than a flexible urban walk: part heritage trail, part reflective stroll, part scenic shortcut across central London. Most visitors tackle a section rather than the full route.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–6 hrs
Lock & Co. Hatters
At 6 St James’s Street, Lock & Co. Hatters is a compact, heritage-rich hat shop in one of London’s most formal retail streets. The visit is usually brief: browse finely made hats, try on styles with staff guidance, and take in a shop interior that reflects centuries of specialist trade. It suits travellers interested in craftsmanship, menswear, and old London retail rather than casual sightseeing.
Mon–Sat 9:30–18:00Price level $$$Time to spend 0.2–1.5 hrs
Paxton & Whitfield Ltd
A long-established cheese merchant on Jermyn Street, Paxton & Whitfield is a compact, polished stop for artisan cheese, gift boxes and expert advice. Expect a brief, focused visit rather than a lingering browse: counters of carefully chosen British and continental cheeses, staff who know their stock, and a refined St James’s setting that feels more heritage retail than tourist attraction.
Price level $$$Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
The Mall
The Mall is not a place to linger for long, but it is one of London’s most recognisable ceremonial streets. Running in a straight line between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch, it frames royal pageantry, state occasions, and long axial views through Westminster. On an ordinary day it feels formal and open, with steady foot traffic and strong photo opportunities; during ceremonies it becomes a stage for the city’s public rituals.
Time to spend 0.2–3 hrs
Swiss Glockenspiel
Swiss Glockenspiel is a small but distinctive public clock in Swiss Court, just off Leicester Square. It is less a place to linger than a timed stop: you watch the figures move, hear the bells, and move on through one of London’s busiest entertainment districts. The setting is compact, urban, and often crowded, with the appeal lying in the clockwork novelty and its Swiss-themed West End backstory.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.1–2 hrs
White Cube Mason's Yard
White Cube Mason’s Yard is a free contemporary art gallery in St James’s, set in a purpose-built building on a compact central-London street. Visits are usually calm and focused: you move through two levels, spend time with rotating exhibitions, and leave within an hour or two. It suits travellers who want a quiet indoor cultural stop between West End and Piccadilly.
Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Princes Arcade
Princes Arcade is a covered retail passage linking Piccadilly and Jermyn Street in St James’s. Small, polished and easy to miss, it rewards a short stop for specialist menswear, leather goods, tailoring, gifts and coffee. The mood is quieter than the surrounding West End streets, with a distinctly old-school London retail feel.
Mon–Sat 8:00–19:00 · Sun 10:00–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Prestat Chocolates
Nestled in the elegant Princes Arcade near Piccadilly, Prestat Chocolates offers a luxurious chocolate experience steeped in British royal heritage. Known for its artisanal truffles and exquisite packaging, this boutique chocolatier combines traditional craftsmanship with a modern flair. Its prestigious royal warrant and prime London location make it a must-visit for chocolate lovers seeking premium gifts or indulgent treats.
Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00 · Sun 11:00–18:00Price level $$$Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
National Gallery Shop
Set inside the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, this is a compact, curated museum shop rather than a standalone attraction. Expect art books, prints, postcards, stationery, and exhibition-linked gifts arranged in a polished indoor retail space. Most visits are brief and practical, but the setting gives even a quick browse a distinctly London cultural feel.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
The Fourth Plinth
The Fourth Plinth is Trafalgar Square’s empty north-west pedestal, now used for rotating contemporary artworks. It is a compact stop, but one that changes with each commission, so repeat visits can feel different. Expect a busy civic square, long sightlines, constant foot traffic, and easy pairing with the National Gallery and central London landmarks.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Rialto Casino & Bar
On Coventry Street between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, Rialto Casino & Bar mixes 24-hour gaming with a listed 1913 theatre shell. Expect slots, table games, a bar, and a busy West End crowd rather than a sightseeing stop. The appeal is the contrast between heritage interiors and late-night casino energy.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–6 hrs
Lancaster House
Lancaster House is one of central London’s most imposing historic interiors, a late-Georgian government house used for state hospitality, diplomacy, and official events. Visits are usually limited and controlled, so the appeal lies in the rooms themselves: polished staircases, ceremonial spaces, and a sense of political gravity rather than casual sightseeing. It suits travellers who value architecture, history, and a tightly managed heritage experience.
Mon–Fri 8:30–17:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Wonderville
Wonderville is a dynamic cabaret club and bar located at 57-60 Haymarket in central London, near Piccadilly Circus. It offers a captivating blend of magic, comedy, and variety performances in an intimate, vintage-inspired setting. Known for its lively atmosphere and diverse acts, Wonderville hosts award-nominated magicians, comedians, and entertainers, making it a top choice for an unforgettable night out in the West End.
Price level $$Time to spend 2–4 hrs
The Queen's Chapel
The Queen’s Chapel is a compact royal chapel on Marlborough Road beside St James’s Palace, valued for its early classical design and restrained atmosphere. Most visitors come for a brief look at the exterior, the royal setting, and the chapel’s long association with court history and changing worship traditions. It fits neatly into a Westminster or St James’s walking circuit and rarely takes long to visit.
Time to spend 0.2–1.5 hrs
Royal Naval Division War Memorial
A compact First World War memorial on Horse Guards Road, this Lutyens-designed monument is a brief but meaningful stop in Westminster. It commemorates the Royal Naval Division and is best visited as part of a walk linking Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and St James’s Park. Expect a formal, open-air setting, little shelter, and a short, reflective visit rather than a long stay.
Mon–Sat 8:00–20:00Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Miart Gallery | London
Miart Gallery London is a multi-floor commercial art gallery in St James’s, where changing exhibitions of contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, and video unfold in a quiet, collector-focused setting. It suits travellers who prefer a short, self-directed cultural stop over a museum-style visit. The surrounding streets add a polished Mayfair backdrop, but the main draw is the art inside.
Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Canada House
Canada House is Canada’s diplomatic base in central London, facing Trafalgar Square on Pall Mall East. It is not a casual tourist stop, but a formal civic building with heritage weight, occasional public exhibitions, and a strong link to Canada–UK relations. Most visitors come briefly for official business or to view the exterior during a Westminster walk.
Mon–Sat 11:00–17:45Time to spend 0.2–1.5 hrs
Carlton House Terrace
Carlton House Terrace is a prestigious Georgian terrace in central London, built between 1827 and 1833 on the former site of the Prince Regent's Carlton House. Designed primarily by John Nash, this Grade I listed terrace features grand white stucco façades overlooking St James's Park and The Mall. It has a rich history of aristocratic and political residents, including Prime Minister William Gladstone, and currently houses the British Academy at numbers 10 and 11.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Sir Keith Park statue
This bronze memorial in Waterloo Place honours Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, the RAF commander linked to the Battle of Britain. It is not a long-stop attraction but a sharp, central London pause: a formal sculpture set among other monuments, best folded into a walk through St James’s, Pall Mall, and Trafalgar Square. Expect a brief, reflective visit, strong photo angles, and a distinctly civic atmosphere.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.1–1 hr
Grand Building
Grand Building at 1–3 Strand is less a standalone attraction than a sharp-edged slice of central London: a large historic commercial building set between Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross. Most visitors stop briefly to read the streetscape, photograph the façade, and move on through one of the capital’s busiest heritage corridors. It works best as part of a wider walk along the Strand, where traffic, stone façades, and landmark views all overlap.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Charles De Gaulle Statue
The Charles De Gaulle Statue in Carlton Gardens, London, commemorates the iconic French leader who led the Free French Forces during World War II. Unveiled in 1993 by The Queen Mother, the life-sized bronze statue depicts de Gaulle in his brigadier general uniform, standing opposite the former Free French Forces headquarters. This monument honors his pivotal role in rallying French resistance from exile and his lasting legacy as the founder of the French Fifth Republic.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
Carlton Gardens
Carlton Gardens is a distinguished cul-de-sac located at the west end of Carlton House Terrace in London's St James's district. Known for its elegant Regency architecture by Decimus Burton, it features grand historic residences and serene garden spaces. The site holds significant wartime history as the Free French Forces Headquarters under General Charles de Gaulle during World War II, commemorated by a statue opposite No. 4 Carlton Gardens. Today, it blends heritage grandeur with tranquil green spaces in central London.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Pall Mall
Pall Mall is one of central London’s most formal streets, lined with club façades, Georgian townhouses and institutional buildings in St James’s. It is less a destination than a walkable slice of old Westminster, best experienced on foot as part of a wider route linking Green Park, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square. Expect polished stone fronts, restrained traffic and a distinctly established London atmosphere.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Waterloo Pl
Waterloo Place is less a destination than a finely judged piece of central London urban design: a broad, formal street linking Piccadilly, St James’s and Trafalgar Square. Visitors come for quick walks, landmark views and the sense of moving through a polished civic corridor rather than a tourist precinct. It is busiest on weekdays and during West End foot traffic.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Masons Yard
Mason’s Yard is a small St James’s courtyard off Duke Street, better known for galleries, offices and discreet nightlife than for any single landmark. It feels like a polished backstreet: narrow, enclosed, and easy to miss unless you are walking the West End on purpose. Visitors come for a quick gallery stop, a photo walk, or a quiet detour through one of central London’s more restrained corners.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Piccadilly & Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is less a single sight than a compressed slice of central London: a traffic junction, meeting point, and West End landmark wrapped in screens, noise, and constant movement. Stand beneath the Eros statue, watch the advertising glow shift from day to night, and you get a sharp read on the city’s pace. Most visits are brief, but the setting links easily to Regent Street, Soho, and the theatre district.
Time to spend 0.2–3 hrs
5 Trafalgar Sq
At 5 Trafalgar Square, you are effectively on the edge of one of London’s most recognisable public spaces. This is less a single-purpose attraction than a central landmark setting: open paving, fountains, monuments, and constant movement from tourists, commuters, and event crowds. It works best as a short stop, a photo pause, or a launch point for walks to the National Gallery, Whitehall, the Strand, and Covent Garden.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Elegant Regency architecture and serene gardens meet rich wartime history in the heart of London’s prestigious Carlton Gardens.
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