So were off to the tourist hub known as Leicester Square! You’ll be glad to know that you don’t need your hiking boots as it is just a few blocks walk from Piccadilly Circus; find Coventry Street, follow it along and you’ll be there before you can say ‘I wore red leather pants in the 80s’. On the way, be sure not to miss the many souvenir shops, pigeons, restaurants and bums which populate the area. Moments before you embark on the Square you will stumble upon the Coats of Arms of the 26 Cantons of Switzerland. After taking a quick snap of the Cantonal Tree I continued to push forward and in no time I was standing in Leicester Square.
Leicester Square by day
Now this is truly one of the busiest places in London. There are tourists everywhere, so if you’re looking for local culture you are not going to find it here. Just you try and find a local Londoner; best of luck with that one. If mainstream tourism is not your thing you may only want to spend a short time checking it out before you leg it somewhere else.
Leicester Square is a small pedestrianised square that does have its beauty, with its green park in the middle featuring statues of William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, Sir Joshua Reynolds, John Hunter, William Hogarth and the ever popular Charlie Chaplin. When the sun is out (which you do get from time to time) you can sit on the grass necking down a few pints staring at both William Shakespeare and people going about their business. Try not to stare for too long as you don’t want to come off as a creep.
The park in the middle of Leicester Square
The center of London’s cinema land can also be found here. This is where the film premieres take place, however, it doesn’t mean that this is a classy area. You don’t see any celebrities hanging around here. Hmmm!
One of the many cinemas
You will be overwhelmed by the choice of clubs, bars and restaurants on offer although from my experience and that from numerous others, avoid going out here because it’s tacky, overpriced and has no real vibe or character.
Expect to overpay for everything in Leicester Square and to receive little in quality in return although the TKTS booth where you can purchase tickets to the theatre at half price is excellent value. TKTS is the only ‘real’ cheap ticket booth. Keep that in mind!
Leicester Square is constantly busy whether it be day or night. Friday and Saturday nights are mayhem with tourists in abundance and drunks stumbling about trying to stay on their feet.
My visit to the Square had to end in taking my first photo in a London phone booth. I just had to have this in my collection!
