Leicester Square is the beating heart of London's entertainment district, a pedestrianised plaza in the West End where the city stages its grandest film premieres. Sitting between Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Chinatown, it is ringed by landmark cinemas, theatres and restaurants, and most visitors pass through it at some point during a trip. For all the crowds and neon, the square remains an essential orientation point and a genuine piece of cinema history, the place where red carpets are rolled out for the stars of British and Hollywood film.
Why visit Leicester Square
Leicester Square is worth visiting because it is the public stage for London's film industry, a free, lively West End plaza lined with historic cinemas where premieres unfold under bright lights, and a natural gateway to the theatres, restaurants and shops of the surrounding streets. Beyond the glamour, it offers a leafy central garden, statues of cultural figures and the discount theatre booth that draws stagegoers. It is a place that captures the energy of central London in a single open space, and it costs nothing to enjoy. Few corners of the capital pack so much spectacle into so compact a footprint.
What to see at Leicester Square
The square rewards a slow circuit. Its highlights blend cinema heritage, public sculpture and the wider buzz of the West End.
- The Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, the grand cinema whose facade hosts many of London's biggest film premieres.
- The central garden, with its statue of William Shakespeare at the heart of the square and a fountain at its centre.
- The Scenes in the Square film statue trail, a set of bronze figures celebrating beloved movie characters dotted around the gardens.
- The tkts booth, the official outlet selling same-day discounted West End theatre tickets.
- The bust of Charlie Chaplin and other monuments marking the square's long association with the moving image.
- The surrounding cinemas and the red-carpet hardware that appears whenever a premiere is in town.
Getting there
Leicester Square sits in the West End between Charing Cross Road and the edge of Chinatown, a short walk from Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. The nearest Underground station is Leicester Square, served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines and only steps from the plaza itself. Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) are both within a few minutes' walk, and Charing Cross serves National Rail and the Northern and Bakerloo lines. The square is open and free to enter at all times, although it is busiest in the evenings and during premieres. For details of films, premiere schedules and theatre tickets, check the official websites of the individual cinemas and the tkts booth for current times and availability. Explore more of the city's free sights through our guide to London attractions.
What's nearby
Few parts of London are as densely packed with things to do. Chinatown lies immediately to the north, with its lantern-strung lanes and dim sum restaurants. Piccadilly Circus and its famous lights are a two-minute stroll west, while Covent Garden, with its piazza, market and street performers, is just east. The theatres of Shaftesbury Avenue and the wider Theatreland surround the square, and the green expanse of St James's Park and the grandeur of Trafalgar Square are both within easy reach. Plan a wider wander with our overview of central London neighbourhoods, or line up a meal from our pick of nearby restaurants.
Leicester Square FAQ
Is Leicester Square free to visit?
Yes. Leicester Square is a public, pedestrianised plaza that is free to enter and open at all hours. Wandering the gardens, viewing the statues and the film trail, and soaking up the atmosphere cost nothing. You would only pay for cinema tickets, theatre seats from the tkts booth, or food and drink at the surrounding venues.
Which Underground station is closest?
The Leicester Square station, on the Northern and Piccadilly lines, sits right beside the plaza. Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden are both a few minutes' walk away on the Piccadilly line, and Charing Cross is close by for National Rail and the Northern and Bakerloo lines, giving the square excellent transport links across central London.
Why is Leicester Square famous?
Leicester Square is best known as the home of London's film premieres, where stars walk the red carpet outside its grand cinemas. It has been a centre of entertainment for well over a century and remains the focal point of West End cinema. Its statues, gardens and proximity to Theatreland add to its enduring appeal for visitors.
How long should I spend there?
A quick visit to walk the gardens, see the statues and take in the atmosphere needs only fifteen to twenty minutes. If you plan to catch a film, browse the tkts booth for theatre seats or eat in nearby Chinatown, you could easily build the square into an evening that fills several hours in the West End.
Plan your visit
Build Leicester Square into a wider day in the West End. Browse more of the capital's landmarks and sights in our guide to London attractions, line up an itinerary of nearby cultural stops through our curated things to do in London, and settle on where to eat afterwards with our recommended restaurants.
