While in the process of leading one of our many free London walking tours, sometimes we'll pass by Leicester Square, as there's usually a lot to talk about in the area.
Leicester Square is in the heart of London’s West End Theatre District.
It’s where red carpet film premieres place and fans camp overnight hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite movie stars.
It’s also a great place to attend West End shows, eat authentic Chinese food, watch street performers, and people-watch in the charming Leicester Square Gardens.
And in case you are wondering, it's pronounced as though you are saying Lester Square.
The Square was named after Robert Signey, 2nd Earl of Leicester who built his house here in 1635.
By the late 19th century, after fashionable, wealthy people and members of the royal family moved in, Leicester Square had become a public space and hub of entertainment.
Soon the square was surrounded by several hotels and daily performances and events took place, making it a destination for visitors.
Centuries later, people still flock to Leicester Square to enjoy entertainment, dine and drink, visit attractions and take in the vibrancy the area offers to everyone.
And don't forget, Leicester Square is home to a wonderful Christmas Market from November to January each year!
GETTING HERE
Nearest Underground Stations:
- Leicester Square Tube Station (Piccadilly and Northern Lines)
- Covent Garden Tube Station (Piccadilly Line)
- Piccadilly Circus Tube Station (Piccadilly and Bakerloo Line)
TIP: Read our post on navigating the Underground for tips on getting around London.
Nearest Rail Station: Charing Cross
Bus Routes: 12, 19, 24, 29, 38, 88, 94, 159, 453, 176
Tour Buses
Leicester Square is also accessible from the Piccadilly Circus stop on London hop-on hop-off bus routes like The Original Tour and Golden Tours.
TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO
This section lists the top things to see and do in Leicester Square.
See Street Performers
Leicester Square is well known as a hot spot for street performers and street entertainment has been happening here since the 19th century.
Most of them are set up on the north side of the Square and specialize in magic tricks and music.
Also, this is a great place to get yourself drawn on paper either as a chalk portrait or a cartoon!
Catch a Movie or a Film Premiere
Because of its location in the centre of town, as well as its history as an entertainment hub, Leicester Square is the site of many film world premieres.
There are three cinemas in Leicester Square: Odeon Leicester Square, Vue, and Cineworld Leicester Square.
This means it’s totally possible for members of the public to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars here in the Square.
To find out which films premiere while you’re visiting, check out the upcoming schedules of major cinemas in Leicester Square and other places in London.
Have a Laugh at the Comedy Store
Enjoy stand up sets from established as well as up-and-coming comedians at the Comedy Store. With a full calendar year round, there is always a great night to be had here.
You never know who you might see: Rik Mayall made a debut here in the 1970's and names like Bill Bailey, Jo Brand, Michael McIntyre and Russell Howard have all performed on this stage.
Attend a Sing-Along
The Prince Charles Cinema is tucked on a side street just to the north of Leicester Square and this venue is well known for its showings of cult classics and sing-a-longs!
Whether it’s the Sound of Music, Lion King, or Rocky Horror, the Cinema always provides a great night out.
Most visitors dress up to match the film being shown so don’t be afraid to don your glad rags for your visit!
Find out what’s playing at the Prince Charles Cinema when you’re in town.
Get Cheap Theatre Tickets
If you want to get your hands on low cost tickets for London’s famous West End shows, then the TKTS Ticket Booth in Leicester Square should be your first stop.
The TKTS booth sells cheap tickets to a wide array of shows. They offer tickets for shows on the day of, the day after, and the day after that.
The TKTS website gives you up-to-date information on which tickets are being sold, and how good the deals are.
Note that you must go to TKTS in person so make sure to get down to Leicester Square to snap them up!
TKTS is open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 - 19:00 (7 pm) and Sunday from 11:00 - 16:30 (4:30 pm).
Find out more about saving money on a night at the theater from our post on how to get cheap theatre tickets in London.
Take a Walking Tour
If you really want to get to know the West End and Leicester Square, come along on a tour with us!
We offer a number of walking tours nearby like our Westminster Tour, our Harry Potter Tour, and our Rock n’ Roll Tour which finishes just nearby.
Explore Chinatown
Tucked just behind Leicester Square and billed as ‘China in the Heart of London’, Chinatown is a small enclave of Chinese restaurants, shops, grocery stores, bakeries, and other Chinese-run businesses.
A great place to eat delicious food and also a great place for late-night revelry, Chinatown will keep you entertained.
Use our self-guided food tour of Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, and SoHo to find the best authentic flavours in the area.
Read more about what to do in London’s Chinatown.
Meet Your Favourite Film Characters
Leicester Square hosts a charming collection of interactive bronze statues commemorating some of the cinemas’ most iconic characters.
Titled “Scenes in the Square” the work is a commemoration of Leicester Square’s rich movie history.
Spanning over the past 100 years of movie magic, this series of bronze statues features some of the film’s most iconic faces are represented here: Laurel and Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly, Mary Poppins, Mr Bean, Batman, and Wonder woman, and, of course, Paddington Bear!
You'll also find the beautiful marble statue of William Shakespeare that has been holding court of the centre of the gardens since 1874!
Visit M & M World
Officially opened in June 2011, this is the world’s largest candy store, spanning an incredible 35,000 square feet - or 3,250 square metres!
There are over 100 types of M&Ms available for purchase inside and there is also a small display outlining the history of M&Ms over the decades.
TIP: Holders of the London City Pass get 15% off their purchase! Read more below.
Hear The Swiss Glockenspiel
On the northwest corner of Leicester Square is an odd-looking clock: the Swiss Glockenspiel.
Before M&M's world existed, this location was the site of the Swiss Centre - a building that showcased Swiss products and culture, constructed in the 1960s.
Rescued from the demolished building and restored in 2011, the glockenspiel here holds a staggering 27 bells and showcases figurines that appear, circling the clock, when the bells ring.
Now, the glockenspiel “performs” at 12 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm Monday to Friday with extras at 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm on the weekends/public holidays so try to see it if you can!
Get Your Fix of Lego
Leicester Square is also home to London's Lego Store! From simple kits to some of the most complex and expensive sets on the planet, the Lego store in London has it all. Even if you don't want to buy anything, the displays make it worth a visit.
It's open from 10:00am - 10:00pm Monday to Saturday which makes it a great option to visit after the rest of the city's attractions have closed down for the day!
Hit The Leicester Square Casinos
For anybody wanting a bit of glitz and gambling, Leicester Square is home to two casinos: the Empire Casino and the Hippodrome Casino.
The Hippodrome has been standing in Leicester Square since 1900 and has been an entertainment venue ever since.
Today it boasts four floors of gaming (roulette, slot machines, blackjack and poker tables, etc.), a top-quality steak house, and six bars. Not to mention the cabaret and circus performances that take place here weekly.
Find out what's on at the square's casinos when you are in London.
PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
The restaurants in the middle of Leicester Square tend to be a bit ‘touristy’ although there are a few worth keeping in mind:
Casual Sit Downs
Pubs
Cocktails
Great Views
If you plan on seeing a lot of sites, you might want to think about getting a London tourist attraction pass, which can save you up to 55% off of retail ticket prices.
Passes include fast-track entry to many popular attractions, deals on shopping, dining, and theatre shows.
These Leicester Square attractions are included in some passes:
- London Transport Museum
- London Brass Rubbing Centre
- Curzon Cinema Soho
- Body Worlds
- 15% off purchases at M&M World
Here are some other attractions included in one or more of the various London tourist passes:
- The Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
- Windsor Castle
- Kensington Palace
- The London Zoo
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- The Royal Albert Hall
Check out our post on London Tourist Passes to see if a pass is right for you.
Tips From Locals and Travelers
Although we do our best to provide you with all the information you'll need to experience everything Leicester Square has to offer, there's always a chance we'll forget to mention something.
Thankfully, we also have a Facebook Group called London Travel Tips, where over 150,000 members will often share their own thoughts on popular areas such as this one.
Here are a few of the most helpful comments we found:
If you're staying in or around Leicester Square, and you're concerned about how to do laundry during your trip, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Many hotels offer free or coin-operated laundry services to their guests.
- They aren't called "laundrymats" in London, they're known as "laundrettes."
- There are at least 3 laundrettes within a 10 minute walk of Leicester Square.
- Some hotels may have partnerships with other lodgings allowing them to send their customers to their coin-operated laundrettes.
Whatever the case might be, the first step is to contact your hotel and ask them for advice, because they will undoubtedly know the best options for doing your laundry.
If you're unsure about using the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, don't be!
Most of our group members insist it's perfectly safe, it's not a scam, and you can get low cost theatre tickets with ease.
There are a lot of pubs in London, and plenty near Leicester Square. When asked about the best pub in the area, chances are you'll get a wide variety of answers, as you can see here.
When it comes to pubs, both locals and travelers are very divided and opinionated, so you might just find that almost every such location will be mentioned at least once.
Regardless, as you can see from Thomas, asking questions such as these can still be helpful in determining which pub offers the best prices!
For more helpful suggestions, make sure to visit our London Travel Tips Facebook Group, and consider asking your own question about Leicester Square.
RELATED POSTS:
