The West End of London (more commonly referred to as simply the West End) is an area of Central

London containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings
and entertainment venues (including the commercial West End theatres).
The use of the term 'West End' began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of
Charing Cross.[1] For strategic planning, the area is identified as one of two international centres in the
London Plan.[2] The West End is a large area, combining the boroughs of Westminster and Camden, which
had a population of 468,138 in 2014.
While the City of London or the Square Mile is the main business and financial district in London, the
West End is the main commercial and entertainment centre of the city. It is the largest central business
district in the United Kingdom, comparable to Midtown Manhattan in New York City, the Shibuya district
in Tokyo, Birmingham City Centre in Birmingham or the 8th arrondissement in Paris. It is one of the
most expensive locations in the world in which to rent office space, just behind Silicon Valley's Sand Hill
Road.[3]

Location[edit]

Shaftesbury Avenue from Piccadilly Circus in 1949.

Lying to the west of the historic Roman and Mediaeval City of London, the West End was long favoured
by the rich elite as a place of residence because it was usually upwind of the smoke drifting from the
crowded City.[4] It was also close to the royal seat of power at Westminster, and is largely contained within
the City of Westminster (one of the 32 London boroughs).
Developed in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, it was originally built as a series of palaces, expensive
town houses, fashionable shops and places of entertainment. The areas closest to the City around
Holborn, Seven Dials, and Covent Garden historically contained poorer communities that were cleared
and redeveloped in the 19th century.
The name "West End" is a flexible term with different meanings in different contexts. It may refer to the
entertainment district around Leicester Square and Covent Garden; to the shopping district centred on
Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street; or, less commonly, to the whole of that part of central
London (itself an area with no generally agreed boundaries) which lies to the west of the City of London.

Ward of the City of Westminster[edit]

Main article: West End (ward)
One of the local government wards within the City of Westminster is called 'West End'. This covers a far
more narrow definition of Mayfair, Soho, and parts of Fitzrovia and Marylebone. However, in the United
Kingdom, ward boundaries are generally familiar only to people involved in local politics and
administration, and this ward carries little weight as an 'official' definition of the West End, and is not
intended to do so.

London's West End

London's West End is famous for its fantastic range of theatres, tourist attractions, hotels and shopping.
There's always something happening on these iconic central London streets.
No visit to London would be complete without soaking up the unique atmosphere in the West End. It is one of
London's most vibrant areas for shopping, shows, culture and history as well as food and drink.
When people refer to London's West End, they are talking about:

London's entertainment district around Leicester Square and Covent Garden

Shopping along Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street

The city centre area to the west of the historic City of London, within the City of Westminster

Travel to and around the West End

Londons West End is a large area. Youll need to travel around by bus, Tube or taxi. Or, if youre feeling fit, on
two wheels under the London Cycle Hire Scheme.
There are many underground stations around the West End. The major hotspots for exiting include Oxford
Circus, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.
If you're going to be in London for more than a day, it's worth buying a Visitor Oyster Card in advance. The
Visitor Oyster Card is delivered to your home before you arrive in London. It is one of the easiest ways to get
around London.
If you do not have a Visitor Oyster Card, but still plan to travel around London for more than a day, buy an
Oyster card at the Tube station. Learn more about Oyster Cards.

Things to do in the West End: Museums and Galleries

Londons top attractions include sites within the West End. The most popular museums and galleries in the
area are The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Academy of Arts and the London
Transport Museum.

Things to do in the West End: Shopping

The West End contains some of London's finest shopping streets. Check out Oxford Street, Regent Street,
Bond Street and St Christopher's Place for big-name flagship stores such as Topshop, Ralph Lauren,
Selfridges, Hamleys, and The Apple Store.
When shopping in Soho, youll find the famous mock Tudor department store, Liberty, close to excellent
boutique shopping areas such as Berwick Street, Carnaby Street and Kingly Court.
Covent Garden is a lovely area to explore on foot. There are smaller West End shopping streets in the area.
Don't miss St Martin's Courtyard and Seven Dials.
Read more on shopping in London.

Things to do in the West End: Theatre

Perhaps the most famous thing about London's West End is its theatre scene. Alongside Broadway in New
York, West End theatre represents the highest quality theatre in the world.
There are around 40 theatres in London's "Theatreland." Theatre performances in the West End tend to be
musicals, classic plays and comedies. Visit the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for discount theatre ticket
for on-the-day performances and advance booking shows.
At the moment, you can choose from a wide range of West End shows: From musicals like Wicked, Billy
Elliot, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, to plays like War Horse, The Woman in Black and The
Mousetrap.
Find out more about London theatre.

Things to do in West End: Cinema and Casinos

The West End is also Londons glamorous centre for red carpet movie premieres. Hollywood stars can be
seen posing for photos almost every week.
If you want to see a film in London, the chances are youll be able to see it at one of several cinemas in the
West End, which are mostly located on or near Leicester Square.
This historical square is also where youll find the 24-hour Hippodrome Casino which has space for live
shows as well as a restaurant and five bars.

Things to do in West End: Bars and Clubs

There is never a dull moment in Londons West End bar scene. You can dance the night away at Cafe de
Paris or Tiger Tiger. You can find trendy bars such as Dirty Martini on Covent Garden piazza or you can
simply enjoy a romantic cocktail or two in the swanky surroundings of hotel bars like Artesian at The
Langham, and Scoff & Banter Leicester Square in the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Hampshire
Soho is the best area in the West End for bars and clubs. Its also the place to go to find the most gay and
lesbian bars and clubs in London.
Read more about bars and clubs in London.

Things to do in West End: Restaurants

Take some time to explore the extensive options West End restaurants have to offer. This area of London
has possibly the most diverse range of food, from decadent fine dining to cheap eats and take-outs.
In Chinatown youll find the highest concentration of authentic Asian cuisine in the UK. In Mayfair, youll enjoy
more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other UK postcode. In Covent Gardens Opera Quarter, youll find
the best pre-theatre dining in London.
Throughout the West End you can enjoy:

Asian delights of Mint Leaf, Tamarind, Imi Street and Cinnamon Soho

fresh seafood at Pescatori and Randall & Aubin

the sharing craze at Polpo, Opera Tavern and Blanchette

a taste of the Far East at Inamo St James and Aqua Kyoto

the familiarity of comfort food at Jamie's Italian or Spaghetti House

and the traditionally British cuisine of Rules and Scoff and Banter Covent Garden
Read more about restaurants in London.

Hotels and Hostels in Londons West End

Some of London's finest hotels can be found in the West End. Take your pick from the following, or browse
our hotels section for more options:

One Aldwych

Hilton Waldorf

The London EDITION

Caf Royal

St Martins Lane

The Savoy

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel

The Trafalgar

The Hampshire

The Langham

The Charing Cross Hotel

The West End caters to visitors on a budget as well. The Central London YHA hostel and LSE Grosvenor
Houses self-catering studio rooms offer great value for money in Central London.
Read more about accommodation in London.

Special Events in the West End

The West End hosts a number of fantastic events and festivals. Trafalgar Square is home to special events
throughout the year. Both Oxford Street and Regent Street have family-friendly traffic-free days during the
year.
During Christmas in London, the West End sparkles with festive decorations and seasonal special events.
The Christmas lights along Regents Street and Oxford Street always prove popular with Londoners and
visitors alike. London's New Year's Day Parade also takes place on the streets of the West End.