Leicester Square

Leicester Square was originally set out in 1670. The site was south of Leicester House a former royal building that has since disappeared.

Leicester square was once a very fashionable place to live and boasted among its residents Sir Isaac Newton, the scientist who theorized the idea of gravity. The famous artist Hogarth was also a resident here and painted many of his society portraits from his studio at number sixty-eight. In 1801 Hogarth's house was converted into the areas first restaurant; named Hotel de la Sablionere.

The Empire Cinema on Leicester square was formerly a popular music hall with the same name. Towards the end of the twentieth century the Leicester square area had become a somewhat undesirable location until Westminster Council invested heavily in the area during the 1990s.

Leicester Square is now home to some of London’s largest cinemas and is the venue for many premiers. The movie influence is apparent from the statue of Charlie Chaplin.

To the North of the square is the Swiss Centre famed for its hourly chiming clock. The Society of West End Theatre's ‘half-priced ticket booth is located in the Clock tower buildings and sells reduced tickets to many of London’s shows on the same day as the performance.