Leicester Square
Leicester Square is located in the heart of London's West End, the entertainment centre of London. It is situated close to Piccadilly Circus, China Town and the famous Shaftesbury Avenue.
It was originally laid out in 1665 and the public Leicester Square Gardens were opened in 1874, with flower beds, lawns and busts of famous residents of the area.
The square's early occupants included the scientist Isaac Newton and later the artists Joshua Reynolds and William Hogarth. A bust of Isaac Newton by William Calder Marshall stands near the Newton Gate at the south west corner of the gardens and a statue of film pioneer Charlie Chaplin can be found in the square.
Leicester Square is now famous for nightclubs, cinemas and film premiers and is home to the highest concentration of cinemas in London.
Location
Leicester Square
WC2
Nearest Tube / Rail Station
Leicester Square