A walking tour of London’s West End

As the lights of London’s West End prepare to dazzle theatregoers once more, visitors can discover our walking tour of London’s Theatreland, exploring classic venues and brand new productions. Whether they want to ramble through the bustling West End, visit world-famous theatres or even grab a ticket to the new production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, this walking route offers visitors an unforgettable taste of London’s world-renowned theatre district.

Discover Britain’s theatre capital

Length: 3 miles

Apollo Theatre, Victoria – Wicked

Starting at Victoria Station, theatre lovers can see the glittering entrance to the musical Wicked. The ninth longest-running musical in London’s history, the show reveals the secret story of the Witches of Oz through dazzling costumes and rousing show tunes and dance. Once they’ve got a taste of the magic, visitors can spy some royal hotspots as they walk onwards to Buckingham Palace, through St James’s Park and on to The Mall. Other historic stop-offs along this route include the Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square and the Savoy Theatre, which is currently showing Pretty Woman: The Musical.

Returning on 15 September 2021, Tickets for Wicked are available from £19.50.

Tickets to Pretty Woman: The Musical are available from £15, booking until December 2021

Her Majesty’s Theatre – The Phantom of the Opera

Next stop is Her Majesty’s Theatre and another West End classic, The Phantom of the Opera. Located a stone’s throw from the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, Her Majesty’s Theatre opened in 1897 and has staged hit shows including West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof. A haunting love story with music by West End legend Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Phantom of the Opera was first performed here in 1986 and remains a firm favourite with theatre lovers today.

Open now. Visitors can book tickets to The Phantom of the Opera from £22.50.

Lyceum Theatre – Lion King

After snapping the obligatory London selfies at Piccadilly Circus, future visitors can walk on to the Lyceum Theatre, home to the epic production of Disney’s The Lion King. The show has been wowing audiences in Covent Garden since 1999, although the theatre has a much longer history. Dating back to 1765, the theatre was rebuilt in in the mid-1830s and was once part managed by Bram Stoker, who is rumoured to have written Dracula in the theatre’s hallowed halls.

Open now. Visitors can book tickets from £20.

Novello Theatre - Mamma Mia!

Just down the road in Aldwych, the Novello Theatre’s beloved Mamma Mia! has also been enamouring audiences since 1999, with a whopping 7,000 performances seen by more than eight million people. Built in 1905, this theatre was renamed in 2005 to honour the Welsh composer and actor Ivor Novello, who lived in the flat above the theatre from 1913 to 1951.

Open now. Visitors can book tickets to Mamma Mia! from £17.50.

Drury Lane Theatre - Frozen

Next, visitors can swing by the newly-restored Royal Drury Lane Theatre, London’s oldest theatre, for a delicious bite to eat or a behind-the-scenes tour. Reopening in 2021 following a two-year long, £60 million restoration, the theatre has been restored to its 19th-century glory. Highlights include a stylish cocktail bar, Regency-inspired afternoon tea served in the Grand Saloon, and all-day dining at The Garden.

Open now. Visitors can book tickets for Frozen from £20

Fortune Theatre - Woman in Black

Also in the heart of Covent Garden is Fortune Theatre, where the Woman in Black has been thrilling audiences since 1989. As the West End’s second-longest running non-musical play, this heart-pounding ghost story promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seat. While here, future visitors can explore the historic streets of Covent Garden, which are peppered with high-end shops and restaurants, as well as the London Film Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Bond vehicles. 

Open now, booking until 2 April 2020. Tickets for the Woman in Black start from £21.50

St Martin’s Theatre – The Mousetrap

Afterwards, visitors can ramble through London’s streets to St Martin’s Theatre and the world’s longest-running play, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Celebrating 70 years of murder mystery in 2022, this is a London institution. Here, visitors can also tick Leicester Square off their bucket list and see the famous London Coliseum, the West End’s largest theatre. Art fans can add the nearby National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery to their itinerary, too.

Open now. Tickets for The Mousetrap start from £19.52

Sondheim Theatre – Les Misérables

Next along the route is London’s most established musical, Les Misérables, set to re-open on 25 September 2021. Once destroyed in the Blitz, the Sondheim Theatre was refurbished for a second time in 2020, giving an improved audience experience and restored the building to its pre-war glory.  As well as the lavish décor, visitors can also look forward to spying the private boxes, named in honour of Dame Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

Returning 25 September 2021. Visitors can book tickets to see Les Misérables from £25

Piccadilly Theatre – Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Last stop is one of the West End’s newest additions, Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Opening in autumn 2021, the show is inspired by Baz Lurhmann’s hit film and promises opulent stage design, heart-wrenching songs and outstanding choreography, all housed within one of London’s largest theatres.

Opening 12 November 2021, visitors can book tickets from £25

Visitors searching for a quirky way to experience London’s West End on foot can also check out Silent Tour’s West End Musical Tour, a silent disco tour of the capital’s theatre hotspots.

Restrictions on travel to and around Britain are in place due to Covid-19. Visitors are encouraged to always check individual websites for the latest information, as details are subject to change.