West End Guide

The West End is London's theatre district, centred on Shaftesbury Avenue and the surrounding streets. It's home to over 40 theatres hosting musicals, plays, comedies and family shows. It's the UK equivalent of Broadway and is widely considered one of the world's greatest theatre destinations.

The West End is served by several tube stations: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and Tottenham Court Road. From Heathrow, take the Elizabeth Line directly to Tottenham Court Road (35 minutes, £5.60). Most theatres are within a 5-minute walk of these stations.

Evening performances typically start at 7:30pm (doors open around 7pm). Matinee performances are usually at 2:30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some shows have variations, so always check your ticket for the exact time.

There is no strict dress code. Smart casual is the norm — nice jeans and a top, or a casual dress work fine. Some people dress up for special occasions. You'll never be turned away for dressing casually.

Arrive at least 20 minutes before curtain up. This gives you time to find your seat, grab a drink, and pre-order interval refreshments. Latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance.

No. Photography and recording are not permitted during performances. Switch your phone to silent mode before the show starts. Some shows allow photos of the stage before the performance or during the curtain call.

Most shows run between 2-3 hours including an interval of 15-20 minutes. Some shorter shows like SIX (80 minutes) have no interval. Running times are listed on each show page on our site.

Soho and Covent Garden are packed with excellent pre-theatre restaurants. Most offer special menus served between 5-6:30pm. Popular options include Brasserie Zédel (from £14.75), Joe Allen, Dishoom, and Barrafina. Book for 5:30pm to leave plenty of time.