LEICESTER SQUARE ULTIMATE GUIDE
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Covent Garden may have its shops and Piccadilly Circus has the world-famous lights, but Leicester Square is home to London’s vibrant theatre district which has been famous for hundreds of years.
Commonly mispronounced but rarely missed by tourists in London, Leicester Square (correctly pronounced 'Less-tir') attracts thousands of visitors each year. Some come here as part of a free walking tour around the most famous downtown landmarks, while many visit the area to watch a theatre performance or a movie premiere in London’s world-renowned 'Theatreland."
But the area now known as Leicester Square was once a private area consisting of four acres, and closed off to the public for much of the early 1600s. During this time, an elaborate palace was built on the site (called Leicester House), which was built between 1632 and 1636 by Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester.
After many protests from London’s residents, Leicester Square was finally opened to the public in 1640, but it wasn’t until the 1700s when the area was transformed into the vibrant entertainment area that it’s known for today (although the majority of the theatres in Leicester Square were built during the 19th century).
Leicester Square Highlights
There are also countless theatres which are scattered in and around Leicester Square, with the most notable being the Odeon Leicester Square, the Prince Charles Cinema, Apollo Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Phoenix Theatre, Princes of Wales Theatre, Savoy Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket (just to name a few). Other popular theatres among visitors to Leicester Square include the Wyndham’s Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre, Garrick Theatre, The Criterion Theatre and the Adelphi Theatre.
The Odeon Leicester Square (located on the eastern side of the square) in particular has become one of the most famous theatres in the area, as it hosts many film premieres throughout the year. The nearby Prince Charles Cinema is another popular theatre, as it is best known for showing cult films and marathon movie events for budget prices.
It’s pretty hard to miss the Swiss Glockenspiel, the most well-known attraction that greets you as soon as you enter Leicester Square. This ten metre-tall steel clock rings on the hour every afternoon, during which figures inside the clock move around to the sound of chiming carillon bells. The clock was a gift from Switzerland and Liechtenstein and thus it is decorated with the flags of the cantons of Switzerland, and crowned with a Swiss clock.
Located at the centre of the Leicester Square stands the massive Shakespeare Monument, which sits above a giant fountain that was created in 1874 by Giovanni Fontana. Also nearby are the statues of Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Josh Hunter, William Hogarth and Charlie Chaplin, the founder of scientific surgery.
During the winter months, Leicester Square is transformed into a magical winter wonderland (like much of everything else in London’s West End), and during the spring and summer months the Leicester Square Gardens are especially beautiful and worth snapping a picture of.
Also, keep an eye out for the Planet Hollywood floor plaques which includes the names and handprints of famous actors like Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Sir Ian McKellen.
Special Tips
For the ultimate London West End experience, start your visit to Leicester Square by walking from Piccadilly Circus along Coventry Street for four minutes. After you're finished strolling around Leicester Square, head down Cranbourn Street for seven minutes to see Covent Garden.
To save money on theatre tickets, try to watch a performance on a weekday afternoon, or purchase a ticket from the TKTS half-price ticket booth.
Always keep an eye out on your belongings, as the area can be prone to pickpockets.
If you happen to stumble across a street performance, be respectful and pay them for their entertainment if you watch for longer than a few minutes (otherwise the performers can get quite pushy for your money).
Getting There
Address: Cranbourn St, London WC2H 0AP, United Kingdom.
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, Leicester Square has its own tube station (Leicester Square Station), which is located at the north-east corner of Leicester Square on Charing Cross Road.
By Train: If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is Charing Cross Station, which is a seven-minute walk away.
By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, you can get to Leicester Square on routes 24, 29 and 176.
By Car: If you are travelling by car, there is a car park in Leicester Square (Titan Car parking) which costs £5 per hour. There are also other car parks located in Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, and St. Martins Lane Hotel, which cost between £5 to £6 per hour.
Visiting Leicester Square
Leicester Square is perfectly situated in the heart of London’s West End, with Trafalgar Square to the south, Piccadilly Circus to the west, Covent Garden to the east, and Chinatown to the north. In fact, many free tours around several areas of London start or end here.
Leicester Square is a pedestrian-only zone, and can be accessed anytime of the day or night. Visitors can easily stroll around to see the stunning facades of its theatres late at night or early in the morning, or sit in some of the many cafes and restaurants that surround the area during business hours.
If you happen to be visiting Leicester Square during a high-profile movie premiere, some areas may be fenced-off to cater to the celebrities who will be making appearances at the event.
When to Visit
Leicester Square is open every day, 24 hours a day, and is free to walk around for any visitor.
If you’re interested in seeing a theatre performance at one of the many theatres located in Leicester Square, be sure to check out the official website beforehand for more details.
Tickets for evening screenings can cost up to £17 per person, while 3D screenings can cost around £15 per person.
Afternoon screenings tend to be much cheaper than screenings during the evenings or weekends. Out of all the theatres in Leicester Square, the cheapest would be Princes Charles Cinema (which is located on a side street to the north of the square). Tickets here can cost as low as £1.99 on a Monday, £2.50 from Tuesday to Friday, or £3.50 on the weekends.
The TKTS (offerings discounts 20–50% off the face value) is located on the southern side of the square in the clock tower building, and is open from:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Wednesday, Saturday (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Sunday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Theatre tickets from the TKTS can only be bought in person, unless you become a member.
If you are checking out Leicester Square you might also want to join any of the free tours in London that are available on offer.
