'''Leicester Square''' is an area of central London lying north of Trafalgar Square, east of Piccadilly Circus and west of Charing Cross Road and Covent Garden.

Get in

Leicester Square is served by a tube station, actually located just off the north east corner of the Square on Charing Cross Road. The station is on both the Northern and the Piccadilly Lines and acts as a convenient place to start any exploration of London's West End.

See

Relax and unwind in the garden, and gaze at the activity going on all around, while listening to the buskers, street entertainers and preachers performing in the area.

Do

The square hosts most high-profile London cinema premieres, on which occasions it is fenced and crowded beyond comfort by people desperately trying to take a look at their celebrity of choice.

Leicester Square has many cinemas: the cheapest one is the Prince Charles Cinema [http://www.princecharlescinema.com/ Prince Charles Cinema], not actually on the square but down a side street to the north at 7 Leicester Place (just up from the Haagen-Dazs). They don't screen the latest films but usually have an interesting selection, including foreign and arthouse films and often have theme nights. Quentin Tarantino is a fan of this cinema. Get hold of the program at the door or on the internet and consider buying the discount-granting yearly membership if you plan to come back a few times.

Buy

Eat

All sorts of food are available; being so near Chinatown, Chinese food is especially common.

  • Brown's. 2-84 St Martin's Lane. 7497 5050. Always buzzing, this popular restaurant is frequented by hip (often single) clientele, who are served by attentive staff. Meals are good, the braised lamb shank is especially tasty.
  • Cork and Bottle Wine Bar. 4-46 Cranbourn St. 734 7807. More of a wine bar than a restaurant, the extensive wine list featuring selections from Australia and California. They offer reasonable cuisine to wash down this full bodied wines.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel. t Martins St. 930 8641. Small, boutique hotel furnished in a sleek, contemporary design.
  • Thistle Picadilly. oventry St, Picadilly. Affordable and centrally located.

    Contact