West End Travel Guide

London

West End showing heritage architecture, street scenes and night scenes
West End
Covent Garden
Covent Garden which includes street scenes and a city as well as a couple
West End which includes city views, shopping and street scenes
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 ₹17,511 per night from 26 Jul to 27 Jul
₹17,511
₹21,014 total
26 Jul - 27 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,964 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
The Cumberland, London

The Cumberland, London

4.5 out of 5
1 Great Cumberland Place, London, England
The price is ₹22,058 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹22,058
₹26,470 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,188 reviews)
Much Improved
"I stayed here in February this year and while the hotel itself was lovely, the location great and a reasonable price for its location, there some niggles with service and the lifts that meant i gave it 3 stars. I am delighted to report that on this second visit the feedback Gave to the hotel directly ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

The Cumberland, London
The Z Hotel Holborn

The Z Hotel Holborn

3 out of 5
75 Kingsway, London, England
The price is ₹6,742 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹6,742
₹9,246 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions The British Museum and Leicester Square ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (238 reviews)
"Nice hotel, only thing was the room was super tiny and the shower was right next to the bed and leaked out to the bedroom"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

The Z Hotel Holborn
The Marble Arch Hotel, by Thistle

The Marble Arch Hotel, by Thistle

4 out of 5
Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹23,695 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹23,695
₹28,434 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,579 reviews)
"The staff were super friendly and helpful. The hotel was lovely but very busy. We had some issues with children running in the corridors and being very noisy late in the evening and people being very loud late in the evening. The location was perfect for Hyde Park."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

The Marble Arch Hotel, by Thistle
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square

4 out of 5
130 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
The price is ₹13,919 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹13,919
₹16,702 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,855 reviews)
"The staff was amazing! Very welcoming. I would definitely stay there again!"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Euston Square
Middle Eight - Covent Garden - Preferred Hotels and Resorts

Middle Eight - Covent Garden - Preferred Hotels and Resorts

5 out of 5
66 Great Queen St, Covent Garden, London, England
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,295 reviews)
"we were on 7 th floor …. terrible smell for three days asked to fix it, they did offer to move us but the other room had no windows…. odd. big rooms , great staff , quiet location, cool hotel , great breakfast, small gym…. the smell ruined a great review."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Middle Eight - Covent Garden - Preferred Hotels and Resorts
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 Bond Street.

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
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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
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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