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Top 10 Things to do in the West End in London

The West End of London, also known as the West End, is a district of Central London that contains various tourist attractions, shops, high-end boutiques, government buildings, and entertainment venues that capture the heart and soul of United Kingdom’s bustling capital city.

With the City of London often considered the ‘business’ sector of London, the West End is known as the commercial, entertainment, and quirky-side of the city. The largest business district in the United Kingdom, it is an expensive place to live – but the attractions and lifestyle make it MORE than worth the cost. 

Time to Go Shopping! 

Regent Street РBy By aur̩lien. Рhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/aguichard/5656782231/in/photostream/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15071348

West End is no stranger to shops and boutiques. With over 80 flagship stores, you can stroll down Oxford Street to buy a few pairs of skate shoes at Vans, purchase some inexpensive clothes at Primark, and get a new pair of jeans – ahem, trousers – at Topshop.

If you have already visited the main department stores, try some of the unique shopping spots like the LEGO Store, Fortnum & Maosn, or Burlington Arcade. If you’re a luxury shopper with a high credit card limit, head to Regent Street for some boutique browsing at Hamleys or L’Occitane.

Go See a Show

Her Majesty’s Theatre London – By By Arpingstone – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=346003

While in the West End, it is almost par-for-the-course to go see a musical. A known hot-spot for some of the best shows in the country, you can choose from over 40 theaters in this artist’s paradise to go see classics like Les Miserables, The Book of Mormon, or The Mousetrap.

If you’d rather see a different art form, like ballet, head to The London Coliseum or the Royal Opera House to see some of the most creative, talented, and world-renowned ballet performances – for as little as £10.

Maybe a Movie Instead?

Leicester Square Odeon – By By The original uploader was Danjamz at English Wikipedia. – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Oxyman using CommonsHelper., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8869376

If you feel like you are showed-out and would rather grab a bucket of popcorn – or maybe fish and chips – and sit down to a relaxing movie at the cinema, you have plenty of choices in the West End.

Head to London’s “home of film” around Leicester square, where you can ogle at movie stars during film premiers. If you want a more low-key experience at one of the biggest cinema chains in the country, check out Odeon Leicester Square for the most popular box-office hits. 

Consider yourself a movie discoverer? Always telling your friends the films they should check out? Head to Regent Street Cinema to view some new films – or indie flicks that fell under the radar – to impress your knowledgeable peers.

Feeling a Bit Peckish?

Cafe Royal London – By By Christine Matthews, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11813263

After all of this shopping and movie-viewing, we bet you’re a bit hangry – and you’re in a great place to curb your hunger pains. To go with your elegant ballet or musical show, you can head to a Michelin-starred restaurant like The Westbury or Hakkasan.

If you’d rather go for the traditional English tea in the afternoon, complete with a few scones and cups of cream tea, check out Hotel Cafe Royal or Scoff & Banner Tea Rooms. 

For those who just finished getting a high-end designer bag on Regent Street, we recommend heading to Momo for a North-African feast, or Heddon Street Kitchen, owned by the infamous British hothead, Gordon Ramsay himself.

Time to Go Out On the Town

The London Hippodrome – By By User:Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69448858

Now that you have subsided the growls from your stomach, you may be thinking of something else to enjoy – a few drinks, perhaps? London is no stranger to pubs, clubs, nightlife, and plenty of hole-in-the-wall establishments that will wet your whistle.

With plenty of entertainment options, the West End is home to long-running casinos, like the Hippodrome Casino, rooftop bars, like the LSQ Rooftop, and dance halls made for moving your feet, like Cafe de Paris. 

Special Events in the West End

London Christmas Lights West End – By By Kyle Taylor from London, 84 Countries – London Christmas 2016, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57530170

If you can, try to enjoy the West End when there is a special event or festival occurring – there is no better way to get a real feel for the neighborhood and friendly vibe of this part of the city.

Head to Trafalgar Square to see street performers, magicians, and yearly festivals, like the Chinese New Year or St. George’s Day. Once done here, walk down Oxford and Regent Street on holidays, strolling down the center line on traffic-free days like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

For those who are lucky enough to spend Christmas in London, one could argue there is no better place. With snow falling, flashing holiday lights, bustling crowds (in pre and post-Covid times), hot drinks, cozy pubs, and holiday cheer in the air, exploring the West End during the months of December and January is a magical experience everyone should have once in their lifetime. 

Last thing – don’t forget Carnaby Street

London Carnaby Street – By By The National Archives UK – This file is from the collections of The National Archives (United Kingdom), catalogued under document record INF14/147. For high quality reproductions of any item from The National Archives collection please contact the image library., No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16245454

If you can still manage to take a few-thousand more steps, walk under the iconic arch of the world-renowned Carnaby Street for fashion, trinkets, lifestyle, and concept stores. 

Just a few steps away from the street, you can visit iconic restaurants and boutiques like Skin Laundry, Antidote, and MUHLE! Keep the cash flowing and keep the spirits high by exploring the ins-and-outs of Carnaby.

Grab a snack at one of the 60 independent restaurants, cafes, or bars, like Island Poke, Dishoom, or The Rum Kitchen.

Once you’re feeling satisfied with imbibing on Carnaby Street, head just 5 minutes on foot to Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus to continue exploring the magic of the West End!