Leicester Square- Let's go round again (Leicester Square (London))

Member Name: mattconnect

Product:	Leicester Square (London)
Date:	28/06/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to do, very cultured and art-filled

Disadvantages: Pickpockets, pricey zone 1 train ticket

Leicester Square is in Central London, Zone One, near Picadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, and could be regarded as the centre of London, where all the buzz and hotspots are!

Whilst Oxford Street is home to shopping, Leicester Square is home to entertainment, nightlife and fun! Extremely accessible via the Picadilly and Northern line by Tube, or by foot from any nearby underground station, such as Picadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Charing Cross. There are also many bus routes going through those areas, as well as taxi service! Here's what you can do near Leicester Square !

~~~LEICESTER SQUARE~~~
Cinema lovers will love Leicester Square, as it is home to what could be called the largest or most prestigious Vue and Odeon in London, where most of the film premieres take place. These are not always huge events, but generate lots of buzz and excitement.

Buying a ticket at a premiere to see the film might cost quite a lot but generally when there is no big event, it is affordable (Around £10 for adult) and is an experience in itself!

I went to the Bond World Premiere, although did not get tickets, it was extremely enjoyable with live performances and interviews... also lucky to meet the beautiful Gemma Arterton and get her autograph.

If that isn't your thing, nearby there are lovely restaurants, Pizza places, and a nice Italian Ice cream parlour on the corner! Often there are also street artists and performers so it never feels quiet!

~~~CHINA TOWN~~~
China Town is also located very near Leicester Square, and here, you can find many Chinese restaurants and shops. One I would personally recommend is China Experience Restaurant, which does half price lunch dim sum menu. The taste is great, and so is the value.

There are of course other restaurants, such as Jade Garden, Wong Kei (good food, VERY bad service) and Hong Kong Cafe. There are also supermarkets where you can get oriental foods, as well as a chinese snack shop!

These are great places to get food, experience ethnic foods and feel another culture. Although I have to warn you that things are rather overpriced compared to what you can get Hong Kong and China, and even some other chinese superstores in UK.

The arches marking the start of China Town are also a photo opportunity and looks very oriental. During Chinese New Year, there is also great buzz and festivities here, with lots of stalls and decorative lanterns which make it very busy and buzzing with excitement!

Beware or pickpockets in this area.

~~~TRAFALGAR SQUARE~~~
Trafalgar Square is also a short walk from Leicester Square, where there is two large fountains and where the famous statues of the four lions and also Nelson's column.

Just up the square is National Gallery which is free to enter, if art is your thing. If not take a break in the square, enjoy the pigeons (perhaps the most you'll see in one place in your lifetime!)

There has also been lots of art installations done here, such as the plastic chairs which were actually take-away-able, soap in the fountains and allowed to free flow everywhere, and also the T-Mobile Advert with the large karaoke. If you ever do get into one of these things, it would be alot of fun and a great experience of the culture and art of London...

~~~OVERALL~~~
Overall, Leicester Square and the whole of Central London has so much to do and lots of buzz, especially at night. You do not need to spend TOO much to have a great time, but there are certainly lots to see!

Almost everything is within walking distance, so you can go round and round to all these three places!

The most costly thing you will buy on a day out in Central is perhaps the train ticket!

Summary: a good day out overall.. check for events first though!