Leicester Square

Leicester Square has been the epicenter of British cinema since the 1930s. The square is dominated by massive, historic cinemas like the Odeon Luxe and Vue, which boast some of the largest screens in the country and regularly roll out the red carpet for Hollywood royalty. The central garden, officially known as Leicester Square Gardens, provides a green oasis amidst the concrete, featuring a 19th-century statue of William Shakespeare.

In recent years, the square has been revitalized with the 'Scenes in the Square' installation—a series of interactive bronze statues depicting iconic movie characters like Harry Potter, Paddington Bear, Batman, and Mary Poppins. Beyond film, the square is a stone's throw from the vibrant gates of Chinatown and the bustling theatres of Shaftesbury Avenue, making it the ultimate starting point for a quintessential London night out.

Reasons to Visit

• Experience the glamour of a live red-carpet movie premiere.
• Hunt for all the iconic movie character statues in the 'Scenes in the Square' trail.
• Shop at the world's largest LEGO store and the sprawling four-story M&M's World.
• Score discounted West End theatre tickets at the official TKTS booth.
• Enjoy world-class street performers and buskers that entertain crowds daily.

Things to Avoid

• Avoid eating at the overpriced 'tourist trap' steak and Angus houses directly on the square; better food is found in nearby Soho.
• Do not engage with unlicensed pedicabs (rickshaws) playing loud music, as they often scam tourists with hidden fees.
• Avoid keeping your phone or wallet in your back pocket, as pickpockets operate in the dense crowds.
• Try not to visit the flagship stores on Saturday afternoons if you dislike extreme crowds and long queues.

Local Transportation Tips

Leicester Square is exceptionally well-connected by public transport. The Leicester Square Underground station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) drops you right at the edge of the square. Alternatively, Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines) and Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines, plus National Rail) are less than a five-minute walk away. Numerous iconic red double-decker buses also serve the surrounding roads like Charing Cross Road and Piccadilly.

Travel Etiquette

• Always stand on the right side of the escalators when using the London Underground.
• Respect the queue (line); queue-jumping is highly frowned upon in British culture.
• If stopping to watch a street performer, ensure you are not blocking the main pedestrian walkways.
• Have your payment card or Oyster card ready before reaching the ticket barriers at the Tube station to avoid holding up the crowd.

Recommended Age Group

Leicester Square offers a dynamic and highly visual experience that caters to almost every age group, though the dense crowds require some navigation.

• Babies (0-2 years): Neutral. The square is fully paved and flat for strollers, but the intense crowds and loud noises can be overwhelming for infants.
• Kids (3-12 years): Recommended. Children will be mesmerized by the massive LEGO store, M&M's World, and the interactive movie statues like Paddington and Bugs Bunny.
• Teens (13-19 years): Recommended. The vibrant pop culture atmosphere, major cinemas, and proximity to Chinatown make it a highly engaging spot for teenagers.
• Adults (20-64 years): Recommended. Adults can enjoy the surrounding casinos, historic pubs, West End theatres, and premium dining options.
• Seniors (65+ years): Recommended. The square offers plenty of bench seating in the central garden, flat pedestrianized walking areas, and easy access to classic theatre shows.

Accessibility Level: High

• The entire square is pedestrianized with smooth, flat paving, making it highly accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
• Leicester Square Gardens features step-free access and ample bench seating for resting.
• Major stores like LEGO and M&M's World are equipped with spacious elevators connecting all floors.
• While the square itself is accessible, note that the Leicester Square Underground station does NOT have step-free access to the platforms; wheelchair users should use nearby Tottenham Court Road or Green Park stations instead.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Leicester Square is home to the distances from which all locations in the UK are measured? While traditionally measured from Charing Cross, Leicester Square sits right on the border of the exact geographic center of London. Additionally, the Odeon Leicester Square was the first cinema in Europe to install a digital projector in 1999, forever changing the landscape of modern cinema.

Cool Statistics

• Over 2.5 million people visit Leicester Square every single week.
• The Odeon Luxe Leicester Square has hosted over 700 film premieres since it opened in 1937.
• The M&M's World in Leicester Square is the largest candy store in the world, spanning 35,000 square feet.
• The LEGO store features a 6.5-meter tall replica of Big Ben made entirely of LEGO bricks.