A heady and exciting part of central London, where you'll find a glittering array of great shops and dazzling theatres.

Here in London’s cultural heart you’ll find some of the city’s best-known squares and parks, as well as shops and theatres which draw visitors from around the world. Covering Oxford, Regent and Bond Streets, as well as well-known landmarks like Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Carnaby Street and Hyde Park, the West End is a busy spot well served by the Underground.

By day, the streets around this part of the city are constantly abuzz. Visitors flock to the big shops and boutiques lining Oxford Street, one of Europe’s busiest boulevards. Here you’ll find giants of British retail like Selfridges & Co. and Marks & Spencer. It is a heady paradise full of wonder for youngsters too, with colourful and magical toy displays.

Away from the crowds, there are many quieter areas elsewhere around the West End, such as Market Place, St. Christopher’s Place, and Newburgh Quarter, with their hip shopping outlets offering distinctive one-off fashion, artworks and excellent eateries.

Even if you visit on a grey and murky day, there are plenty of attractions open where you can stay out of the rain. One of the finest is the National Portrait Gallery, one of around thirty different museums and galleries in this part of the city.

When the day draws to a close, stay for a show in the evening. With dozens of live theatre venues around the West End, there is always plenty of superb entertainment on offer. To find out what’s on, pick up a free local newspaper or theatre guide. Here you’ll find everything from musicals and comedies to Shakespearean tragedies – even Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’, the longest-running show anywhere in the world. To learn more about the area, you can even go on the History of Theatreland Walking Tour.

Situated to the west of Charing Cross, the West End is well served by buses as well as by the Underground.