LEICESTER SQUARE

Leicester Square's charm arises from its unpretentious and intimate feel. The only monument as such in the square is the central marble fountain, with Shakespeare on top, and dolphin accoutrements around. The connection with the cinema goes back a long way - in the 1790s Panoramas were exhibited in Leicester Place in a purpose-built circular building. That building was converted in the 1850s into a French Church (Notre Dame de France), and although it was bombed in World War II, the current church on the site has again been built in a circular shape.

Here you will find the famous Half Price Ticket Booth for the theater. It is a wonderful way to snap up last-minute bargain tickets for many of London's top shows. There is only one official Half Price Ticket Booth in London, situated in the clocktower building adjoining the garden on the south side of Leicester Square (the only building inside the square).

By night, Leicester Square is one of the busiest spots in London. Buskers entertain the crowds with anything from an impromptu song to a political rant, tourists pay good money to have their faces ridiculed by cruel cartoonists and suburban kids queue to dance the night away at the Hippodrome, Equinox or Maximus.

Leicester Square is still the perfect place to catch an afternoon matinee followed by a cappucino and gossip in one of the many pavement cafes. The Square is a popular meeting place for friends looking for a drink and a chat after a hard days slog and for tourists who seem to enjoy congregating outside the tube station. The cinemas claim to be the biggest and best but consequently tickets are the most expensive in town.

People watching is one of Leicester Square's great attractions as representatives from virtually every country walk past and simply gawk at each other. Ordinary people are interesting enough but if you're really lucky you get the chance to eyeball visiting stars who attend the regular movie premiers.

Leicester Square Tube