Leicester Square — Attraction in London

leicester square

Leicester Square is a vibrant pedestrianised square in London's West End that serves as the epicenter of the city's entertainment district1. Located in the heart of the theatre district, this historic square has evolved from a 17th-century nobleman's garden into one of London's most dynamic cultural hubs5.

Entertainment and Cinema

Leicester Square is globally renowned for its world-class cinemas, including the iconic Odeon Luxe Leicester Square and Empire Leicester Square, which regularly host star-studded film premieres and red-carpet events4. The square welcomes over 52 red-carpet premieres annually, making it a prime destination for celebrity spotting4]. The nearby Prince Charles Cinema is particularly famous for its cult film screenings and marathon movie runs[6].

The area is surrounded by some of London's most prestigious West End theatres, offering everything from timeless classics like "The Phantom of the Opera" at Her Majesty's Theatre to contemporary hits such as "Hamilton" and "The Book of Mormon"[1. Her Majesty's Theatre itself is a stunning example of Victorian architecture influenced by the French Renaissance, complete with a champagne bar in its lavishly decorated foyer1].

Shopping and Attractions

M&M's World dominates the retail landscape as the world's largest candy store, spanning an incredible 35,000 square feet across seven floors[48]. The store features over 100 types of M&Ms and enough space to house 100 double-decker buses[4.

The LEGO Store claims the title of the planet's largest LEGO store, featuring impressive displays including a 6.5-meter Big Ben with a working illuminated clock and a life-size LEGO tube carriage where visitors can pose with figures of the Queen's Guard and William Shakespeare1. The store's highlight is the Mosaic Maker, a unique photo booth that transforms your picture into a personalized LEGO kit1.

Leicester Square Gardens

At the heart of the square lies Leicester Square Gardens, a beautifully landscaped central park that was extensively redeveloped in 20121. The gardens feature a Grade II listed marble statue of William Shakespeare standing on a pedestal flanked by dolphins, surrounded by fountains that shoot water 2 meters into the air and are illuminated at night1]. The gardens also house a bronze statue of Charlie Chaplin sculpted by John Doubleday[1].

Gaming and Nightlife

Leicester Square offers numerous gaming opportunities, including the stunning Hippodrome Casino housed in a late-Victorian building that has served as a theatre, music hall, and nightclub throughout its history[1. The casino operates 24 hours a day with five floors of gaming, dedicated poker rooms, and free entry with no dress code requirements1]. Other notable casinos include Empire Casino, Grosvenor Casino, and Napoleons Casino[4].

Dining and Cultural Experiences

The square provides an abundance of dining options, from family favorites like MOD Pizza, McDonald's, and TGI Fridays to more sophisticated establishments such as Petit Bistro and Leicester Square Kitchen, many offering special pre-theatre menus[4]. The area also encompasses London's Chinatown, providing authentic Chinese cuisine and cultural experiences[1.

Unique Features

The Swiss Glockenspiel, located on the northwest corner, is a rescued timepiece from the demolished Swiss Centre that features 27 bells and circling figurines7]. It performs at scheduled times throughout the day: 12pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm on weekdays, with additional performances at 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm on weekends and public holidays[7].

Street Entertainment and Events

Leicester Square buzzes with constant street entertainment, featuring everything from gold-painted human statues and aspiring musicians to fire-jugglers performing throughout the day and night[8]. The square hosts various annual events, including Chinese New Year celebrations and a Christmas Market from November to January[6.

Historical...

Mr. Tulk and Leicester Square are central to the landmark case Tulk v Moxhay (1848), which established the enforceability of restrictive covenants in equity.

Background:

Mr. Tulk was the original owner of Leicester Square, a plot of land in central London. In 1808, he sold part of the land to another party, with a restrictive covenant that required the land to remain as a garden for the benefit of surrounding properties. The covenant specifically prohibited building on the land, ensuring it would be maintained as an open space for leisure.

The Covenant on Leicester Square:

The covenant, made when Mr. Tulk sold the land, was intended to preserve the open nature of Leicester Square, which was a valuable amenity for surrounding landowners. This agreement between Mr. Tulk and the first purchaser was recorded as a private arrangement, typical of restrictive covenants that aim to control the future use of the land for the benefit of neighboring properties.

Events Leading to the Case:

Over time, the land changed hands multiple times, with each purchaser being aware of the covenant. Eventually, Mr. Moxhay purchased the land but intended to ignore the covenant and build on the square. Although Moxhay knew about the restriction when buying the property, he argued that, since he was not a party to the original contract between Mr. Tulk and the first buyer, he was not bound by the covenant.

Leicester Square:

Leicester Square is an iconic location in central London, historically important and culturally significant. Mr. Tulk's covenant ensured that the square remained an open garden, contributing to the local environment. The attempt to build on this land threatened to change the character of the area.

Tulk’s Legal Action:

Mr. Tulk sought an injunction to prevent Mr. Moxhay from building on Leicester Square. His argument was that, since Moxhay was aware of the restrictive covenant, he should be bound by it, despite not being an original party to the contract. The Outcome and Impact on Leicester Square: The court ruled in Mr. Tulk's favor, establishing that a restrictive covenant could be enforced against future purchasers of the land, provided they had notice of the covenant. This decision protected Leicester Square from development, maintaining it as an open space.

As a result of the case, Leicester Square remained a public garden, benefiting the surrounding community, and continues to be a prominent and culturally rich area in London today.

Importance of Tulk v Moxhay for Leicester Square:

This case was crucial not only for establishing legal precedent in property law but also for preserving the open nature of Leicester Square. The ruling has had a long-lasting impact on land law in the UK, influencing how covenants are enforced and ensuring that landowners could rely on equitable principles to protect land from unwanted...

Review: Leicester Square, London – A Lively Cultural Hub

We recently visited Leicester Square, one of the most vibrant and energetic places in central London. Although we had hoped to catch a live performance by Luke Silva, the talented street performer known for his incredible voice and crowd engagement, we were disappointed to find that he wasn’t performing that day. Still, the square had plenty to offer, and our visit turned out to be an enjoyable and memorable experience in its own right.

Leicester Square is a bustling public space surrounded by theatres, cinemas, shops, and restaurants. From the moment we arrived, we were immersed in a lively atmosphere—filled with tourists, locals, and entertainers. It’s a true cultural hotspot that’s always buzzing with activity.

As we wandered through the square, we admired the various statues and monuments placed throughout the gardens. Each one pays tribute to influential figures in the arts, from William Shakespeare, who stands tall at the center of the square, to other icons like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Poppins. The statues add a sense of charm and history to the area, reminding visitors of the Square’s longstanding connection to entertainment and the performing arts.

Even though there was no live music from Luke Silva that day, we enjoyed watching groups of people gathered around outdoor screens watching live sports—a fun and communal experience. It gave the square an almost festival-like atmosphere, with people cheering, laughing, and relaxing in the open air. Leicester Square truly feels like a place where the city comes together to celebrate culture in all its forms.

We also noted the many familiar shops and restaurants nearby, including a conveniently located McDonald’s, which came in handy for a quick bite. Whether you're in the mood for fast food, high-end dining, or grabbing snacks on the go, the area around the square offers something for everyone.

The square itself is clean, well-maintained, and pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to walk around and take in the sights. There are plenty of benches and green spaces to sit and relax, especially near the center garden area, where many people were resting and enjoying the view.

While we were initially a bit let down by missing Luke Silva’s performance, Leicester Square still delivered a full and dynamic experience. It’s the kind of place that feels alive no matter when you go—there’s always something happening, whether it’s a film premiere, street performance, or people simply enjoying the buzz of London life.

If you’re exploring the West End or just want to soak up some city energy, Leicester Square is absolutely worth a visit. And next time, we hope to return when Luke Silva is performing—because that would truly make the...