Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a pedestrian square in the West End of London. It stands where a 17th-century residential area once housed figures such as Frederick, Prince of Wales and artists William Hogarth and Joshua Reynolds. The square was laid out in 1670 as Leicester Fields and named after Leicester House, built by Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester. By the late 18th century it had become a centre for entertainment, with theatres built in the 19th century that later turned into cinemas. Today it remains a busy tourist spot, hosting events like the Chinese New Year celebrations. The square’s central park has existed since the area was common land. Its condition declined in the 19th century before being restored under Albert Grant, who added four statues and a Shakespeare fountain. The park was later refurbished for the 2012 Summer Olympics at considerable cost. Nearby streets like Cranbourn Street and Orange Street frame the square, which lies within the City of Westminster. The nearest Underground station is Leicester Square, opened in 1906, with bus routes running along Charing Cross Road. Visitors find a lively public space surrounded by cinemas used for film premieres, including the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square and Empire, Leicester Square. The Prince Charles Cinema nearby shows cult films and marathons. Statues and the Shakespeare fountain stand in the central park, while the square’s edges hold historic buildings and streets named after figures like Henry Irving and William III. The area remains a focus for entertainment and tourism in central London.