Leicester Square

The Square is named for Robert Sidney, who in 1635, built himself a large house, known as Leicester House. Back in time it was a fashionable London district and Leicester House was at one time even the residence of Frederick, Prince of Wales; but, by the time of the later part of the 18th century, Leicester Square was no longer a smart London address. By the time of the 19th century, Leicester Square was known as an entertainment venue where many people gathered to spend their free time; it also housed several hotels. A large theatre, the Alhambra, built in 1854, dominated the site at that time and the Square has remained the heart of the West End theatre  and entertainment district ever since. Leicester Square, is to many people " the heart of London" and millions of people visit and pass their free time here every year. With its restaurants, cinamas, nightclubs, street artists and entertainers all trying to catch the attention of the the thousands of people who pass by at every time of day or night, the area is a magnet for those who want to have a good time (particuarly, on a Friday and Saturday evening when it seems as if the whole of London is partying the night away). Tube station: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus See: other London Areas

Around Leicester Square

Leicester Square is the centre of London's cinema land and UK film premieres are typically hosted at one of the square's four major cinemas. The Square is also home to several nightclubs, such as the Hippodrome, Equinox and Maximus. In the middle of the Square is a small park, in the centre of which is a copy of  the William Shakespeare memorial in Westminster Abbey. The four corner gates of the park have busts of  Sir Isaac Newton, the scientist; Sir Joshua Reynolds, the first President of the Royal Academy; John Hunter, a pioneer of surgery; and William Hogarth, the painter. The most recent addition is a statue of film star and director Charlie Chaplin. On the pavement are inscribed the distances in miles to countries of the former British Empire. There are many ticket booths around Leicester Square offering cut-price theatre tickets for  theatre performances taking place around the West End that day.   Places and attractions near to Leicester Square: Covent Garden  (8 minutes) Green Park (19 minutes to Green Park tube station) Trafalgar Square (9 minutes) Oxford Street (13 minutes) See tips on getting around London in London Travel