Search results
Leicester Square (/ ˈ l ɛ s t ər / ⓘ LEST-ər) is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. It was laid out in 1670 as Leicester Fields, which was named after the recently built Leicester House, itself named after Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester.
Leicester Square is a hub of entertainment and culture in the heart of London. Find out the best things to do, see and eat in and around this iconic square, from West End plays to Chinatown, from Eros Statue to Piccadilly Circus.
- Her Majesty’s Theatre Bask in the lavish décor of Her Majesty’s Theatre. The site of Her Majesty’s Theatre has hosted productions since 1705. The current theatre was opened in 1897 and visitors are treated to lavish architecture and interior décor.
- Leicester Square Gardens Find a famous statue in Leicester Square Gardens. Surrounded by trees, Leicester Square Gardens in the centre of Leicester Square.
- Trafalgar Square Stand in the famous Trafalgar Square. Surrounded by historic buildings, everyone has heard of this public square. There are four plinths for statues in the corners of the square.
- Japan Centre Shop and dine at the Japan Centre. In London since 1976, the Japan Centre flagship store has been on Panton Street since 2017. The traditional ‘depachika’ (the Japanese word for a basement food hall) has specialist food rooms, all set around open kitchens and a central dine-in courtyard.
Leicester Square is in the centre of London’s West End and is always a busy place for people visiting London. The square is filled with street performers, bars, clubs, casinos and restaurants as well as plenty of cultural things to do.
- Leicester Square Cinemas. Perhaps best known for its red carpet premieres and glitzy Hollywood parties, London Leicester Square has several cinemas dotted around its edges including Odeon Leicester Square (the largest), a Cineworld Leicester Square and Vue Leicester Square.
- Leicester Square Film Statues – Scenes in the Square. Befitting for the all the film premiere it hosts, Leicester Square in London recently unveiled its Leicester Square Scenes from the Square statue trail, a series of bronze statues representing different decades in the cinema from Mary Poppins and Laurel & Hardy to Mr Bean and Bugs Bunny.
- Chinatown (one of the best free things to do in Leicester Square) As you sit in or walk around Leicester Square park, you’ll occasionally catch a glimpse of Chinese lanterns or the huge, iconic Chinatown gate (next to W Hotel), denoting the start of Chinatown London.
- Leicester Square Casinos. You ‘bet’ you wanna go to a London Leicester Square casino whilst in the West End. Open 24 hours and often why Leicester Square can be so busy at night, the assorted Leicester Square casinos can be fun to visit (and all have lots of security which is also reassuring).
Newton to Shakespeare. Global icon, cultural hub, entertainment epicentre. Leicester Square exists to entertain.
Leicester Square is a vibrant and bustling area in the heart of the West End, with cinemas, theaters, restaurants, and shops. Learn about its history, attractions, and how to get there from Londontopia, a website for London visitors.
