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More ultra-short walks

Horses of Helios

Piccadilly Circus

A one minute walk from Piccadilly Circus

London ultra-short walk - 25

In London, major commercial redevelopments often require that a portion of the budget be allocated to public art to enrich the urban landscape. Here we have some horses splashing around in the fountain (if it’s turned on of course) and the sculpture is called “The Horses of Helios.”

The main project was the restoration of the nearby Criterion Theatre.

Opened in 1874, The Criterion was originally intended to be an above-ground concert hall. However, the developers saw that there was more money to be made putting it below ground and saving the street level for a more profitable restaurant.

These days, after stepping past the modest street-level foyer, visitors must walk downstairs to reach the Upper Circle, or descend further still to access the Dress Circle and Stalls.