Dive Into London's West End: The Best Shows

The West End is a district of London known worldwide for its theatres and, above all, its musicals. Located west of the City of London and north of the Thames, it spans two boroughs, Westminster and Camden. In addition to the shows on offer at every turn, it is a sought-after destination for tourists. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Soho, Covent Garden and Seven Dials make up this lively, vibrant area, studded with shops and magnificent homes.

Before diving into the West End crowds and checking out the musicals on offer, let’s go all the way back to... the 17th century. At the time, the district attracted a wealthy population, for two main reasons. The first was that it was spared the smoke from central London’s dwellings, which was carried further away by the wind. The second is its proximity to Westminster Palace and Abbey. Up until the 19th century, fine homes flourished here and gradually took over the poorer districts of Seven Dials and Covent Garden, transforming the urban landscape. Today, the West End is home to exclusive flats and penthouses, but its shows and nightlife are open to all.

Do you know what the very first West End theatre was? The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, created by Restoration period playwright, Thomas Killigrew. Opened in 1663, the theatre has lived through almost as many stories as it has staged. Demolished and restored, then destroyed again by fire, it was finally reincarnated in its present form in 1812. Since then, it has seen a host of stage legends, including the Monty Python troupe, Edmund Kean and composer Hector Berlioz. More recently, it has become the venue for some of today’s biggest musicals, including Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Frozen. The second historic theatre in London’s West End was not built until 150 years later, at the very beginning of the 19th century – the Sans Pareil, now known as the Adelphi Theatre.

The district is adored by both locals and tourists, especially those with a childlike soul. The West End is...

• Around 40 theatres
• Several million spectators every year
• Tickets ranging from around £15 to several hundred
• A musical, Les Misérables, which has been running since 1985!

London’s West End is often compared to New York’s Broadway, and rightly so. The good news on this side of the Atlantic is that tickets are generally cheaper, but the area is just as lively and the shows just as colourful.

In the mood for a theatrical classic? St Martin’s Theatre has been staging Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap every night since 1952. This makes it the play with the most consecutive performances in the world. More than 10 million people have seen it – and the theatres are always packed. It’s a whodunnit that keeps your cogs turning and draws you into the plot.

• Performances: Tue, Thur & Sat, 3pm & 7:30pm; Mon, Wed & Fri, 7:30pm
• West Street, London WC2H 9NZ
• Underground: Leicester Square stop, Northern line / Train: Charing Cross station / Bus: Charing Cross Road stop, lines 14, 19, 22, 24, 29, 38, 40 & 176

Behind The Strand, you’ll find the Lyceum Theatre. Your children (including your inner child) will be delighted to see The Lion King musical. With its savannah setting, incredible costumes and impressive shadow play, it’s sure to enchant. You know the story and many of the songs, so make the most of it and sing at the top of your lungs! Good to know: the atmosphere in the theatre is very family-friendly at weekends and during the school holidays, so it’s quite lively. For more peace and quiet, choose a weekday.

• Performances: Wed & Sat, 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Tue, Thur & Fri, 7:30pm; Sun, 2:30pm
• 21 Wellington St, London
  
• Underground: Covent Garden stop, Piccadilly line / Train: Charing Cross station

Les Misérables, or ‘Les Mis’ to its devotees, is the West End’s longest-running musical. Located on glittering Shaftesbury Avenue, the Sondheim Theatre welcomes fans of Victor Hugo’s novel and the tribulations of Jean Valjean every night. It’s a show that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, with iconic songs that send shivers down your spine, like Marius's haunting Empty Chairs at Empty Tables...

• Performances: Thur & Sat, 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Mon-Wed & Fri, 7:30pm
• Shaftesbury Avenue, London
  
• Underground: Covent Garden stop, Piccadilly line / Train: Charing Cross station

Staying near Buckingham Palace at Sofitel London St James? Book tickets to Phantom of the Opera in the historic auditorium of His Majesty’s Theatre. The theatre’s décor, with its majestic chandelier, reflects the atmosphere of this musical perfectly. For the record, the theatre was called Her Majesty’s Theatre before Charles III came to the throne in 2022. Its possessive adjective changes according to the current monarch.

• Performances: Wed & Sat, 2:30pm & 7:30pm; Mon-Tue & Thur-Fri, 7:30pm
• Haymarket, London
  
• Underground: Piccadilly Circus stop, Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines and Charing Cross stop, Northern and Bakerloo lines / Bus: 6, 13, 15, 23, 139, 159 & 453

Just a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, catch an evening of feel-good pop to the tunes of ABBA. Mamma Mia! is a festival of colour and good vibes. Spoiler alert: everyone gets up at the end of the show to dance! Don’t be afraid to put on your bell-bottoms and glitter to blend in, especially if you’re in the front row.

• Performances: Thur & Sat, 3pm & 7:30pm; Mon-Wed & Fri, 7:30pm
• Aldwych, London
  
• Underground: Covent Garden and Holborn stops, Piccadilly line and Charing Cross stop, Bakerloo and Northern lines / Train: Charing Cross station / Buses: 6, 15, 11 & 26

The West End has plays and musicals to suit all tastes. Funny, political, enchanting, thrilling... Take a look at the programme and read the plot synopses to help you choose your show. Visiting London with children? You’ll probably love Matilda, based on the novel by Roald Dahl, or one of the Disney shows on the bill. Do you enjoy South Park humour? The Book of Mormon is guaranteed to make you laugh. Are you a fan of Tina Turner or Michael Jackson? Both have their own musical in London’s West End. Do you love the films Moulin Rouge, Sister Act, Back to the Future or Harry Potter? There’s something for everyone in these genres too.
 

Above all, a musical is an invitation to have a great time and be amazed by the costumes, choreography and music – as well as discovering London’s West End.

Booking a show in London’s West End at a good price requires a bit of experience. Here are a few tips to get you started.

• For the more discerning, look out for plays and musicals that have just been released and not yet received critical acclaim. This will enable you to get a good price for a show that could become a blockbuster.
• Are you in London and haven’t booked yet? Go to the TKTS kiosk in Leicester Square on the day, or go straight to the theatre box office when it opens. If there are any seats left, you’ll be able to get tickets at reduced prices.
• Restricted view tickets can be very advantageous, especially if you’re on a budget. An obstacle, such as the safety bar along the front row of a balcony, means that the seat cannot be sold at a high price. From most of them you’ll have a good view anyway. You should check this out, however, on the SeatPlan website, which offers audience reviews and photos for every seat in West End theatres.
• London Theatre Week is an excellent time to book a cheap musical.
• Tickets for afternoon performances, known as matinees, are sometimes cheaper and perfect for families.

Whatever your budget, you can easily find a seat for a musical in London. If you’re a long way from the stage, in the upper circle or on the balcony, slip a pair of binoculars into your bag.

The West End is not only the theatre district. From Oxford Street to Covent Garden, there’s plenty to do. Start at Oxford Circus, then head for the Liberty shop, recognisable by its Tudor-style facade. Continue your shopping spree on the famous Carnaby Street, with its ultra-trendy boutiques. Then head to Piccadilly Circus and take a souvenir photo of its huge advertising hoardings.

From here, you have a choice of routes to take. Shaftesbury Avenue is home to the iconic Apollo, Sondheim and Lyric theatres. Ideal if you haven’t yet settled on a musical. You can also head for Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, a free museum housing Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. In Leicester Square, visit the M&M’S shop or the LEGO® Store, take a selfie with the Mister Bean statue and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the area.

Continue along this route by picking out Cecil Court Lane, where you’ll find several small independent bookshops. You then come to St Martin’s Lane, which is also home to a plethora of theatres, including the famous Coliseum, with its iconic globe. You are then just a few minutes’ walk from Seven Dials, a charming roundabout surrounded by chic vintage shops, and Covent Garden, a bustling square full of street performers.

Hungry before or after the show? The area is overflowing with restaurants and take-away snacks to enjoy at any time of day. To satisfy your craving for Asian dishes, head for Chinatown. If you’re not sure which restaurant to choose, look out for the queues in front of some restaurants – often an indicator of the quality of the food. Looking for a traditional pub? You’ll find them all over London’s West End. The wooden Lyceum Tavern invites you to drinks before a performance of The Lion King. For a special occasion, treat yourself to a glass of prosecco at your theatre’s bar and enjoy it while watching the show – because yes, it’s done in London, especially in the West End!

Many West End hotels are only a stone’s throw from London’s theatres. For instance, The Savoy on The Strand offers sublime views of the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and the famous Walkie-Talkie skyscraper. If you want to stay in a quieter area, but still close to the West End, head for Bloomsbury, favoured for its streets lined with Georgian houses, small cafés and bookshops. Mercure London Bloomsbury, ideal for couples, is just a short walk from the British Museum and Russell Square.

Whatever your itinerary and whichever show you choose in London’s West End, you’re sure to be amazed by this district bursting with life. Book your musical before you travel or let the crowds and atmosphere carry you along. Let the show begin!