Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a pedestrianised open space in London's West End that took shape in the 17th century around a residential garden and later became a hub of entertainment. Today it is ringed by cinemas and serves as the traditional venue for British film premieres, drawing crowds beneath its central statue of William Shakespeare. Visitors find bronze figures of film characters set into the paving, ticket booths for theatre shows, and easy access to the surrounding theatre district and Chinatown just to the north.