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- Known throughout the world as the beating heart of London’s West End, the square and surrounding area welcomes over 2.5 million visitors each week. Visitors can experience some of the best shows and theatres in the city as well as over 52 star-studded red carpet film premieres each year.
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Leicester Square (/ ˈ l ɛ s t ər / ⓘ LEST-ər) is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. It was laid out in 1670 as Leicester Fields, which was named after the recently built Leicester House, itself named after Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester.
Global icon, cultural hub, entertainment epicentre. Leicester Square exists to entertain. Known throughout the world as the beating heart of London’s West End, the square and surrounding area welcomes over 2.5 million visitors each week.
- What's in a name? Leicester House, named after Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, used to sit to the north of what is now Leicester Square. The House, completed in 1635, gave its name to Leicester Fields, which the area was known as when it was home to wealthy residential properties.
- A royal death. Frederick Prince of Wales lived — and died — in Leicester House. He was the oldest son of King George II and Queen Caroline, and father of King George III, but never ascended the throne himself as he died before his father.
- What lies beneath? While you're sitting in Leicester Square watching the action around you, you might not be thinking about what's beneath your feet. The answer is an electricity substation.
- Shakespeare. The centrepiece of Leicester Square (or Leicester Square Gardens to give it its proper name) is the statue of William Shakespeare, a work by Italian sculptor Giovanni Fontana which has been in situ since 1874.
Jun 13, 2020 · For over 400 years, Leicester Square has been an important public space in London. Leicester Square (pronounced “Lester”) is a famous, pedestrian-only square located in the West End district, which serves as a tourist landmark in central London.
Jan 9, 2021 · Leicester Square has a long history of eye catching displays and is famous for a variety of quirky statues that stalk its perimeter. In February last year, as the reality of the coronavirus pandemic dawned on the country, a new collection of iconic screen characters was erected in the square.
Oct 30, 2022 · A square that has quickly evolved into one of London’s centres of entertainment, starting with panoramas and scientific displays and lectures, which then became a home for variety theatre and then London’s hub for cinema, and which is where the majority of major films have their UK premier.
Located at the heart of London’s West End, Leicester Square is a bustling hub of entertainment and culture. This vibrant square offers an array of activities for both tourists and locals to enjoy, from world-class cinemas and theatres to restaurants offering cuisine from around the globe.