My Picks of the Best Things to do Around Leicester Square

Leicester Square Gardens

Leicester Square Gardens is home to a number of well-known attractions, such as a central marble fountain with a statue of Shakespeare dating back to the 19th century. The mature London plane trees that surround the fountain create a substantial tree canopy overhead. Just a short stroll from Leicester Square and you’d see a series of bronze statues scattered around the square and a bunch of street performers. 

Leicester Square Gardens is a hub of entertainment and activity and has become the capital’s prime location for hosting film premieres and hosting various celebrity events. The first time we went around the square felt serene and relaxing, my partner and I had a simple and relaxing time just looking at the statues or just chatting in the centre fountain. 

📍Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DE, United Kingdom

Leicester Square Cinemas and Theatres

Leicester Square is home to a bunch of theatres, and cinemas. You have the: Odeon Leicester Square which was the first Dolby Cinema in the United Kingdom, The iconic Leicester Square theatre, known for hosting a bunch of events from stand-up to cabaret, and of course, the Cineworld Leicester Square, a state-of-the-art 9 screen cinema known for one of London’s best immersive movie experiences. 

Ticket booths for everything do have a long queue though especially Cineworld. Fortunately, if you’re not in the mood for waiting in line, and you just want to see a performance, I’d suggest a short walk from Leicester Square and you’d find yourself in Piccadilly Circus, for your theatre tickets! 

Lastly, I’d like to highlight the Society of London Theatres in this section, basically they’re multiple theatres in the West End that are run by the society. I think what they’re doing is great, by being a non-profit they were able to reinvest their works into something kids will love to maybe make them consider theatre as a career. They’ve also made strides to make the industry more accessible for deaf and disabled people, which I think is very honorable.

LEGO store

Now this is one of the top things to visit for people with kids, or for adults like me who just love to build stuff. If you take a walk around Leicester Square you’d eventually find yourself at a huge LEGO Store. There’s no way you’d miss this in the middle of Leicester Square, since this is biggest Lego store in the world!

When you walk in you’re even treated to a massive Lego replica of the big ben (Not the same size, though that would have been awesome) Also a highly-accurate replica of the London Underground Railways. We also had the opportunity to turn our pictures into LEGO and build our own LEGO minifigure. 

📍3 Swiss Ct, London W1D 6AP, United Kingdom

Hippodrome Casino

The nation’s largest casino and entertainment venue, the casino is a mainstay of West End life. There are many different games available at the Hippodrome Casino, such as live gaming, computer gaming, and sports betting. Classic casino games like baccarat, roulette, and blackjack are available to visitors, along with slot machines and video games.

If you’re looking for spots that are free to visit, then it’s best to ignore this one. However, if you feel bothered by the weight of your wallet, then the Leicester Square casinos have got you covered! What makes Hiipodrome so amazing for us was because there was never a time where we had nothing to do. Seriously, if you walk around here something is bound to catch your eye and make you spend. It also has a super interesting layout that is shaped like a circle but we later found out that the building was originally made to host circuses and variety events which explains its design. 

📍Cranbourn St, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JH, United Kingdom

LSQ rooftop bar

On the north side of Leicester Square park, you’ll find the best bar in this area of London. LSQ Rooftop bar offers delicious Mediterranean food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! But the real kicker is the view they have over the capital skyline,  you could even see Oxford square and Piccadilly circus from here. 

One of the best things tourists could do when visiting London is to take part in the drinking culture they have and LSQ Rooftop bar is the best one to try out if you’re north of Leicester square. I mean, drinks, good food, and a great view, what better way could there be to spend a night? 

📍1 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA, United Kingdom

Londoner Hotel

Speaking of great views. The Londoner Hotel on the south side of Leicester square is the one I always recommend to friends who think of visiting the city. Aside from having great amenities, you like any great hotel, what sets them apart is the amazing Japanese rooftop bar at the top. They serve premium sake and delicious Japanese meals served by chefs who are highly-trained in the cuisine. 

To top it all off, since it’s located nearby Leicester, tourists or those visiting have a super convenient time of exploring the amazing scenes in the square or move on to London cinemas and theatres nearby, like the prince Charles Cinema. They could also take a quick walk and end up in iconic London landmarks like the Eros Statue! 

📍38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX, United Kingdom

Shop in the Wizard and Harry Potter – Style store

Leicester Square is also home to my favourite store featuring my favourite franchise since childhood. The Harry Potter Store in Leicester Square offers a wide range of Harry Potter merchandise, including wands, robes, house scarves, and other collectibles. I’m not ashamed to tell you that I have multiple Harry Potter lanterns and house scarves decorated in my flat, which for some reason my wife isn’t too thrilled about. 

The store is decorated with Harry Potter-themed props and decorations, and the staff are dressed in Hogwarts robes. Visitors can take photos with a replica of the Hogwarts Express and other Harry Potter-themed backdrops. 

📍69-71 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0NE, United Kingdom

Chinatown

I am an absolute fan of Chinese cuisine. everything from the smell, the way it looks, and of course the taste. Part of the reason we rented out a space near Leicester Square before is because of how close it is to Chinatown! Here you could find a bunch of authentic Chinese restaurants and boutiques with absolute bangers of traditional dishes served all at reasonable prices! 

I mean we did have to move eventually since we found ourselves binging on Chinese food every week but thanks to Chinatown’s convenient location, just a short ride on the Leicester Square tube means we get to experience that all over again but now without the temptation. 

📍Gerrard St, London W1D 5PT, United Kingdom

Trafalgar Square

Though located more towards central London and near Covent Garden, it is just a short walk behind Leicester Square. The Trafalgar square include numerous statues of well-known people, even one of George Washington given by the state of Virginia. The square’s original purpose was to honor the British Navy’s victory in the Battle of Trafalgar.

On the side of Trafalgar square is the Nelson’s Column, built in 1843 in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson, the National Gallery, and two impressive fountains that light up when night falls. Over time, the square has evolved into a popular social and political gathering place for both locals and tourists, hosting countless protests and demonstrations.

📍Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom

Church of Notre Dame de France

The church was founded in the middle of the 1800s after Father Charles Faure, the Marist Fathers, was given the task of leading a mission to assist the significant French population in the area by Cardinal Wiseman, Archbishop of Westminster. A circular structure near Leicester Square was bought by Father Faure in 1865 and turned into a church.

Aside from regular church activities, they also have murals inside that make it super popular to residents located in the heart of Leicester square. There’s also a rich history tied to it that make is such an interesting place to visit especially if you have someone to explain how this became such an icon. 

📍5 Leicester Pl, London WC2H 7BX, United Kingdom

See a show or dance the night away at Cafe de Paris

Cafe de Paris give off this ’20th century Beauty and the Beast’ vibe simply because of the grand ballroom they have in the middle of the joint! The ballroom is set on two floors and has different areas, with resident and famous international DJs playing music. The venue features a grand ballroom with a large dance floor, a VIP area with balconies, and several bars.

 It’s interior is fancy and luxurious perfect for night outs of dancing with your partner or just a memorable night with friends. The venue has hosted many famous performers over the years, including Dorothy Dandridge, Marlene Dietrich, and Louise Brooks, and will most likely, host a couple more so keep your eyes out for this one! 

📍3-4 Coventry St, London W1D 6BL, United Kingdom

Magic Mike Leicester square

Hippodrome Casino isn’t just about gambling though. There’s also a bunch of shows being sold and performed there, true to Leicester square’s culture of theatre and performances! One such show is quickly gaining traction and popularity and that is the Magic Mike Live. A captivating 360-degree entertainment experience, Magic Mike Live is based on the popular films. The performance boasts gifted actors, amazing choreography, and a vibrant atmosphere.

One of the fastest-selling shows in the Hippodrome Casino’s history is directed by Channing Tatum. The show, which features plenty of six-pack abs and raunchy dance moves, is definitely not for the timid. For some reason, this is my wife’s favourite show but I can’t imagine why. 

📍Square, Cranbourn Street, Leicester, London WC2H 7JH, United Kingdom

Listen to the bells on the Swiss Glockenspiel

The free-standing Swiss Glockenspiel totem design has 27 bells, pictures of the 26 Swiss cantons, and 11 moving Swiss figures set against a traditional Swiss alpine background. The clock is made to chime every hour, and the figures move to music, which is actually pretty cool and mesmerizing to look at. 

When the Swiss Centre was demolished in 2008, the Swiss Glockenspiel was saved and restored by Smith of Derby, a clockmaker and bellfounder, and is the only remnant of the centre. 

📍Swiss Ct, London W1D 6BY, United Kingdom

National Gallery

National Portrait Gallery has a  collection of over 2,300 paintings at the National Gallery spans the years from the mid-13th century to the 1900s. Visiting museums is one of the best free things you could do in London however they do have special exhibitions that might require an additional fee. 

You could take a look at some of the art they have that  includes works by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Rembrandt. Lastly, they also have a cafe and restaurant just in case you get tired of walking around the building and admiring art. 

📍Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

There’s a lot more Leicester Square has to offer! From the best bars, cafes, and restaurants, this lively part of London is filled with places to go and things to do, so check out some of our other guides!