West End
WestEnd.com, your ultimate guide to London’s iconic theatre scene! Discover the latest West End shows, book tickets, explore reviews, and stay updated with exclusive news from the heart of Theatreland.
Musicals
Get ready to tap your feet and sing along to the most popular musicals in London’s West End. Check out our Musicals page now for the latest shows and tickets.
Plays
When was the last time you were truly enthralled? Come see a West End play and let yourself be captivated by the story, the acting, and the atmosphere.
Family
Our selection of West End shows for the family offers a variety of genres, including musicals, plays, comedies, and notable productions such as Disney’s The Lion King and the timeless classic Wicked.
FAQ
How far in advance should I book West End tickets?
It really depends on the show. For the big crowd-pleasers — Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — you’ll want to book as early as possible, especially if you’re visiting during school holidays or over the summer. These shows regularly sell out weeks, even months, in advance, and the best seats go first.
For newer productions or shows with longer runs, you’ll often have more flexibility, and booking a few weeks ahead is usually fine. If you’re spontaneous by nature, it’s always worth checking for last-minute availability — theatres do release unsold tickets closer to performance dates, and you can sometimes grab a great deal. But if there’s a show you absolutely cannot miss, don’t leave it to chance. Book it first, then plan everything else around it.
How long do West End shows last?
Most West End musicals run for around two and a half to three hours in total, including a 15 to 20-minute interval. Some of the bigger productions — Les Misérables and Hamilton, for instance — come in closer to three hours, while shorter musicals might finish well under two and a half. Plays tend to be a little leaner, typically running between 90 minutes and two and a half hours, with some performed without an interval.
The interval is one of the great pleasures of a West End evening — time to grab a glass of wine, discuss the first half with your companions, and soak up the atmosphere of the theatre itself. Many venues have beautiful historic bars and foyers that are worth exploring. Just be aware that the queues at the bar can be fierce in those 15 minutes, so it’s worth ordering your interval drinks in advance at the start of the evening if your theatre offers that option.
What time do West End shows start?
Most evening performances in the West End begin at 7:30pm, though some shows start at 7pm or 8pm, so it’s always worth double-checking the time on your booking confirmation. Matinee performances — typically on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, with some shows also offering Sunday matinees — usually start at 2:30pm or 3pm.
We’d always recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before curtain up. This gives you time to collect your tickets if needed, find your seats, grab a drink or an ice cream, and settle in without that last-minute rush. Some of the older West End theatres have quite narrow corridors and staircases, so arriving early makes the whole experience more relaxed and enjoyable. And once the show starts, latecomers are usually held in the foyer until a suitable break — so arriving on time really does make a difference.
Are West End shows suitable for children?
Many West End shows are absolutely brilliant for children and families — in fact, some of the most spectacular productions in London are aimed squarely at younger audiences. The Lion King, Matilda, Disney’s Hercules, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are all outstanding choices that captivate kids and adults in equal measure. Have a browse of our dedicated Family Shows page for the full selection.
That said, not every West End show is suitable for all ages. Some productions deal with adult themes, contain strong language, or are simply better appreciated by older audience members — Book of Mormon and Cabaret, for example, are firmly aimed at grown-ups. Always check the age recommendation on the individual show page before you book, and if you’re unsure, our customer service team is happy to advise on 020 3670 8887.
How do I get to the West End theatres?
The London Underground is by far the easiest way to reach Theatreland, and it runs late enough to get you home after an evening show. The most useful stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), Covent Garden (Piccadilly line), Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines), and Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines). Most of the major theatres are clustered around Shaftesbury Avenue, the Strand, and St Martin’s Lane, and once you’re at any of those stations, the majority of venues are just a short walk away.
If you’re coming by train, Charing Cross, Waterloo, and Cannon Street are all within comfortable walking or taxi distance. Driving and parking in central London is genuinely not worth the hassle — the Tube and taxis are far less stressful, especially on a show night when you’re on a schedule. Black cabs and Uber are both widely available in the area, and a lot of theatregoers use them for the journey home after a late finish.
What should I wear to a West End show?
There’s no formal dress code for West End theatres, so you won’t be turned away for wearing jeans — but most people do like to make a bit of an effort, particularly for evening shows. Smart casual is the sweet spot: think a nice shirt or blouse, a smart jacket, or a stylish dress. It’s a night out in one of the world’s great cities, and a lot of the pleasure is in dressing up for it.
For matinee performances the mood is a little more relaxed, and you’ll see everything from casual daywear to people who’ve come straight from a smart lunch. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable — West End seats vary enormously, from wide and spacious to quite snug in the older venues, so avoid anything too restrictive. And a word of practical advice for winter visits: most theatres have cloakrooms, but they’re not always large, so a mid-weight coat rather than a bulky parka will make your evening considerably easier.
What is the best area to stay for the West End?
If you want to be right in the heart of it all, Covent Garden is hard to beat. You’ll be a short stroll from dozens of theatres, surrounded by great restaurants for pre-show dining, and the atmosphere on a show night is electric. Soho is another brilliant choice — buzzy, central, and packed with places to eat and drink before and after curtain up.
That said, don’t worry if your hotel is a little further out. The London Underground makes getting around incredibly easy, and areas like South Bank, Fitzrovia, and even Bloomsbury are all perfectly placed for an evening in Theatreland. The key stations to know are Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Charing Cross, and Piccadilly Circus — between them, they put you within walking distance of almost every major West End theatre.
Is the West End the same as Broadway?
They’re the two great theatrical capitals of the world, but they’re distinct scenes with their own identities. Broadway refers to the major commercial theatre district in New York City, centred around Times Square, while the West End is London’s equivalent — and for many theatre lovers, it’s the original. London’s Theatreland has been producing world-class shows since the 18th century, and today it’s home to around 40 major venues within a relatively small area of central London.
The two scenes have always had a close relationship — many shows transfer between them, and it’s common for a production to open in London before heading to New York, or vice versa. Hamilton, for example, came from Broadway; Matilda and Billy Elliot went the other way. In terms of quality, ambition, and variety, the West End stands shoulder to shoulder with Broadway — and plenty of theatre lovers would argue it has the edge, particularly for classic plays and the sheer concentration of world-class talent on a single square mile of stage.
Do West End theatres have disabled access?
Access varies quite considerably across West End venues, largely because many of London’s theatres are historic Victorian or Edwardian buildings that present real architectural challenges. That said, the vast majority of major West End theatres have made significant investments in accessibility in recent years, and most can now accommodate wheelchair users, offer hearing loops for audiologists and hearing aid users, and provide accessible toilet facilities.
When booking, it’s always worth checking the access information on the individual theatre’s website, or calling the box office directly to discuss your specific requirements — they are generally very helpful and can advise on the best seats for your needs. Some shows also offer dedicated relaxed performances, which are specifically designed to be more welcoming for audience members with autism, sensory sensitivities, or learning disabilities, with slightly adjusted lighting and sound and a more relaxed atmosphere in the auditorium. Keep an eye on individual show pages for details of these special performances.
