West End Travel Guide

London
West End which includes a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Here is where visitors come to shop, pause to dine, linger for the culture, and get dressed up for the theatre – the West End has it all.

Londoners come to the West End to shop in style, to take in a play or musical, or to promenade around its classy streets. Traditionally known as the residence of London's better-off classes, it has now become the entertainment, media and retail centre for the capital. It's also home to some of the most famous streets and squares in the world. Leicester Square, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Carnaby Street are just some of the names that adorn the signs of its well-appointed streets.

It became an exclusive district for London's wealthy as the city swelled and outgrew its medieval origins. Those with money chose to live here, just west of the royal palaces and centres of government around Westminster. The westerly winds kept the smoke and smell of the inner city, and the slums of the East End, clear of the West End. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many fine streets, parks, museums and galleries were built here.

First on the list for the visitor to the West End is that temple to 'retail therapy' that is Oxford Street. Home to classic British department stores like Selfridges, Marks & Spencer and Hamleys, this is the most popular shopping district in Europe. Nearby Bond Street and Regent Street are just as classy, and just as busy.

There’s plenty to do if the weather is grey. Check out the portraits of British heroes and icons throughout history in the National Portrait Gallery, one of thirty museums and galleries in the area.

The West End is also enriched by innumerable museums and galleries, including the National Gallery, the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. One of the more upmarket neighbourhoods, Fitzrovia, now has more than 30 private contemporary art galleries. And you can't come to the West End without a trip to the theatre. Nearly 40 beautiful and elegant Victorian and Edwardian theatres can be found packed into the streets around The Strand, Drury Lane, and Shaftesbury Avenue.

They include first-class theatres like the London Palladium, the Lyceum and the Theatre Royal. The shows are even more fabulous than the venues, with long-running musicals like Les Misérables, the Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King, alongside the classics, Shakespearean plays and ground-breaking new dramas. Whether its morning, afternoon or evening, the West End is sure to have the entertainment to turn your stay in London from the 'super' to the superlative.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in West End

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
The price is ₹7,020 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹7,020
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,192 reviews)
"Perfect hotel, reasonable cost & great location. No windows in rooms which made me a little claustrophobic at night with all the lights out but used my phone as a little night light! All in all great place to stay!!!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
St Giles Hotel - London
St Giles Hotel - London
3 out of 5
Bedford Avenue, London, England
The price is ₹9,323 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹9,323
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,770 reviews)
"Hotel was good and staff very friendly and attentive i only gave a less than excellent score as we were woken by workmen at 8 am working directly above us . We were aware of renovations but were told that work would not start before 9am. I have emailed the hotel to make them aware but have not had ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

St Giles Hotel - London
Assembly Covent Garden
Assembly Covent Garden
3.5 out of 5
27 - 31 Charing Cross Road, London, England
The price is ₹13,864 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
₹13,864
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,209 reviews)
"Early checkin. Central location. Small space."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Assembly Covent Garden
Nobu London Portman Square
Nobu London Portman Square
5 out of 5
22 Portman Square, London, England
The price is ₹31,062 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹31,062
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (160 reviews)
"Staff are super friendly"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Nobu London Portman Square
The Cumberland, London
The Cumberland, London
4.5 out of 5
1 Great Cumberland Place, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹14,815 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹14,815
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Marble Arch and Hyde Park are located nearby. Discover ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (191 reviews)
"Stayed on business - clean and comfortable although I booked a ‘Gold King’ and it was nothing like the picture at all"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

The Cumberland, London
Thistle London Marble Arch
Thistle London Marble Arch
4 out of 5
Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹14,815 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹14,815
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"The property is in an excellent location for lots of sights. The decor is lovely and the rooms very spacious and comfortable. The staff are always willing to help and very friendly. The only downside is both in the breakfast room and the servicing of rooms, there did t seem to be enough staff to ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Thistle London Marble Arch
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around West End

Mayfair

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Berkeley Square.

Mayfair
Soho

Soho

Soho is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Oxford Street and Soho Square.

Soho
Marylebone showing autumn leaves and street scenes

Marylebone

4/5(36 area reviews)

Marylebone is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Oxford Street and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Baker Street Station or Marylebone Underground Station.

Marylebone
Bloomsbury showing street scenes and heritage architecture

Bloomsbury

4/5(1,172 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Bloomsbury. Check out top attractions like The British Museum and Russell Square, and jump on the metro at Euston Square Underground Station or Russell Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

Bloomsbury
Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

London City Centre

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

London City Centre
London showing heritage elements, markets and signage

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or Royal Opera House while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

Covent Garden


West End Travel Guide