Familiar with the song lyrics “We can go driving on my scooter, you know, just ‘round in London?” This is from one of my favourite Taylor Swift songs, London Boy. She talks about London and references some great things about the city.
On the same song, she mentioned West End, and you know what? West End reminds me of Leicester Square. A place where entertainment, shopping, and dining come to life!
With lots of things to do in Leicester Square, you might find it hard to know where to start. Skip the hassle and read this guide full of tips and places to visit on this public square.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at M&M’s shop
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Website: https://www.mms.com/en-gb/explore/mms-stores/london
Address: 1 Swiss Ct
Contact Details: +442070257184
Operating Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Heads up for the biggest candy (M&M) store in the world here in Leicester Square! Call it a milestone or what, but this is something you should not miss!
It’s a crowd-pleaser both for kids and adults. Kids, because they naturally like sweets, to hype them up. But for adults? You’ll enjoy the idea of mixing your own M&M blend and being fascinated with the store’s aesthetic.
Candies are everywhere. Plush toys and life-size statues of M&M are there. Who won’t get excited?
Don’t forget to take photos of this cute and colourful store, too!
Pro Tip:
Prepare your wallet if you’ve been meaning to buy some candies because it’s expensive.
Snag a cheap theatre ticket at the TKTS booth
Media credit: londontheatre
Website: https://officiallondontheatre.com/tkts/
Address: Official London Theatre Ticket Booth
Contact Details: +442075576700
Operating Hours
- Monday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Pricing
- Ticket starts at £36 (discount not yet applied)
Not gonna lie, West End shows are expensive. But TKTS is here to save you! They offer a shiny, shimmering up to 50% discount for same-day and next-day matinees!
Why is it affordable, though? Well, these are the tickets that are not sold out at their box office. As a treat, TKTS sells them, offering deals for theatre goers who decide to see the show on short notice.
So if you’re a fan of Wicked or Les Misérables, this is totally a deal! Lines can form early and pile up, so make sure to check them out in the morning.
Pro Tip
Follow them on X, @london_theatre, to get updates on their West End shows.
Get eerie at the Body Worlds museum
Media credit: bodyworldsldn
Website: https://bodyworlds.com/
Address: 1 Piccadilly Circus
Contact Details: +443302233233
Operating Hours
- Sunday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Pricing
- Child: £16.00
- Adult: £22.50
- Family: £70.00
- Concession: £20.00
Human anatomy, you say? If you’re a biology major, you’ll appreciate this. But if not, at least, it’ll haunt you!
In here, you’ll see 25 specimens from the human body. Not small ones, but life-sized ones. There are diseased lungs compared to healthy ones, and some athletes who are posed mid-motion.
There is a lot to see, and an audio guide is available in each exhibit (QR-tagged). If you plan to see all the displays, allocate 1- 2 hours of your day.
Pro Tip
Displays can be unsettling, so make sure you’re in it before you purchase your ticket (or else, lose your money).
Meet the popular Brits at the National Portrait Gallery
Media credit: nationalportraitgallery
Website: https://www.npg.org.uk/
Address: St. Martin’s Pl
Contact Details: +442073060055
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Pricing: Free admission
North of the square, you’ll find the National Portrait Gallery. If you’re into the Tudor collection or cultural icons, this is where you’re supposed to be!
This gallery is all about British history told in 200,000+ portraits. You’ll see different portraits of royal powerhouses while having an audio tour. There are also modern galleries to explore.
Free to enter except for special exhibits, which you need to pay for. Planning to complete the tour? Expect it to be more than two hours.
Pro Tip
Install the Bloomberg Connects App. You’ll be able to get audio tours there.
Feel a bit of Vegas at the Empire Casino
Media credit: empire_casino
Website: https://www.metropolitancasinos.com/venues/london-lsq/
Address: 5-6 Leicester Square
Contact Details: +442030141000
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Missing Vegas or want to see what it looks like – but in London? Go to Empire Casino and taste the experience here!
If you’re a player, you’ll love the casino’s 110+ slot and roulette machines. There are also poker rooms with 24/7 cash games.
If you don’t like to play, they have a sports bar where you can watch games like the NFL and cricket instead.
Pro Tip
Wear casual attire and have your ID ready upon entry.
Enjoy the nightlife at Lio London
Media credit: liolondonofficial
Website: https://www.liogroup.com/london
Address: 3-4 Coventry St
Contact Details: +34971310022
Operating Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 7:30 PM – 3:00 AM
Pricing:
- £100+ per person
Ready to mingle or just go nightclubbing in London? Whatever it is, Lio London (former Cafe de Paris) serves it! After facing setbacks in the business, they came back in 2023 with a new name.
On their comeback, they redefined nightlife and 21st-century energy in this cabaret club. If you want a total experience, come here on Friday and Saturday nights. There are showgirls, circus acts, and live DJs.
You must dress to impress, so no trainers and casual wear.
Pro Tip
Book your table early to skip long waits.
Hoard at the Japan Centre flagship store
Media credit: japancentre
Website: https://www.japancentre.com/
Address: 35b Panton St
Contact Details:
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Looking for soul food or some authentic Japanese stock? Drop by the Japan Centre and hoard some items!
Get Kit-Kat of different flavours, miso, and even some Korean groceries. They also have a food heaven located in their basement. You can try their mochi-doughnuts, fresh curry pans, and sushi!
This supermarket is perfect for a quick snack after watching a nearby show. Also, don’t miss shopping with thousands of authentic products!
Pro Tip
Weekday afternoons have fewer crowds, which will give you time to appreciate their food and browse some products.
Find the Charlie Chaplin statue
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Website: https://www.charliechaplin.com/
Address: Leicester Square
There are other statues on the square, but why Charlie Chaplin? Well, many love his Tramp persona, and he’s actually one of the most important personalities in the world of filmmaking.
His statue was made by John Doubleday in 1979 and was shown to the public on April 16, 1981 (Chaplin’s birth date). You can read “The Comic Genius / Who Gave Pleasure / To So Many” on his statue.
If you’re a film lover, taking a photo of it would be such a milestone!
Pro Tip
The statue is located at the Western edge of the gardens.
Feel the fancy at Her Majesty’s Theatre
Media credit: lwtheatres
Website: lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/his-majestys/
Address: Haymarket
Contact Details: +442039252998
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pricing:
- Starts at £46.88 (depending on the show)
On the Haymarket, just a short walk from Leicester Square, you’ll find a historic auditorium. We’re talking about West End theatre again, but this time, it’s a traditional one!
Ever since 1897, the theatre has continuously hosted shows. One of the famous productions here is The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
People also love the building’s fancy plush interiors and rich French Renaissance decor. There’s also a grand chandelier that you shouldn’t miss.
For a complete experience, don’t forget to try their champagne on the Royal Circle bar.
Pro Tip
Pick rows B to F (Stalls) or A to C (Royal Circle) for a great view when watching.
Find new releases at Cineworld
Media credit: cineworldlsq
Website: https://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/london-leicester-square/
Address: 5-6 Leicester Square
Contact Details: 0330-333-4444
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$
If you’re more of a cinema person rather than a theatre, no worries because Cineworld has got your back! Right in the square, you can watch new releases here!
The cinema offers IMAX and 4DX, so if you’re a blockbuster fan, you’ll love the experience. Aside from that, they also host live action of Snow White, Flow, and A Minecraft Movie (perfect for kids).
Pro Tip
Keep an eye on IMAX specials and surprise screenings by Cineworld. You can get updated by visiting their site.
Visit the LEGO Store
Media credit: arwenactually
Website: https://www.lego.com/en-gb
Address: 3 Swiss Ct
Contact Details: +442076650413
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Heal your inner child by visiting Leicester’s LEGO store. It might not be the world’s largest, but it’s a two-storey store that’ll surely leave you overwhelmed!
This feels like a mini theme park for kids. But for adults, especially for collectors, this is heaven. Just right at the entrance, a huge Big Ben LEGO made of 200,000 bricks will welcome you.
Most people come here to get exclusive sets, and of course, London-themed ones that you can’t get anywhere.
Pro Tip
There are limited-edition builds, so make sure to ask the staff.
Enjoy the skyline at 1 LSQ Rooftop
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Website: https://1leicestersquarerooftop.com/
Address: 1 Leicester Square
Contact Details: +442071235010
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:30 AM- 12:00 AM
- Friday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Pricing:
- Starts at £55
Prefer sitting rather than walking or strolling? Then this rooftop bar of LSQ should be your next visit. The bar is located at the top of Hotel Indigo.
Enjoy a panoramic view of the West End from their terrace. The bar also features floor-to-ceiling glass and Gatsby-inspired decoration.
For their food, they have Mediterranean-inspired meals and gourmet meals. Guests also love their “Cityscape Jam Session” every Friday.
Pro Tip
Get a terrace table before sunset for a nice view. Reservations can be made on their site.
Dine at the Bombay-style cafe, Dishoom
Media credit: dishoom
Website: https://www.dishoom.com/covent-garden/
Address: 12 Upper St Martin’s Ln
Contact Details: +442074209320
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Pricing
- Starts at £10.80
For foodie explorers, Dishoom might be another gem for you. It’s a cafe with an Irani-inspired interior. Think of Bombay classics!
Their customers love their signature dishes, which are House Black Daal and Gunpowder Potatoes. These are just some of their hearty meals you can try. Partner it with their chai, lassis, or some Indian beers.
We love the vibe inside. The checkered floors and vintage Bollywood posters give a different dining experience.
Pro Tip
There is not much queue during weekdays before 5:30 PM.
Shop at Chinatown
Media credit: bowman199
Address: Leicester House, 1 Leicester St
Turn on your shopper mode here in Chinatown. This is where shopping feels like a rewarding experience!
There are lots of stalls with authentic ingredients, like exotic mushrooms and herbal remedies. You can also find some speciality food here (Dessert Alley). If you want to take home some souvenirs like lucky charms or calligraphy brushes, they have them.
Tourists find the Chinese lanterns and origami kits a wise purchase, so make sure to check them out too.
Pro Tip
Taste the fresh rice noodles in Dansey Place (back alley). This is perfect for foodies.
