Once you’ve booked your theatre tickets, why not plan to make a day of it? To help you experience London for less, we’ve got offers with our neighbouring restaurants, shops & attractions so that you can make the most of your trip to see a show.
More ways to make the most of London
Here’s our pick of our favourite (and FREE) cultural must-dos that are perfect to enjoy before or after you’ve been wowed by one of our cities best musicals or plays.
The Museums of South Kensington
With just a 10 minute tube ride from the West End, you’ll find yourself in the heart of London’s museum district, where some of London’s most famous museums sit! The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, London Design Museum and the V&A are all within a stone’s throw of each other in South Kensington and all have free entry to their main exhibits. As well as their permanent collection featuring theatrical exhibits, the V&A celebrates the best of theatre through their free Re:Imagining Musicals exhibition until February 2024: the perfect museum visit before a trip to the theatre!
The British Museum
Just behind the Dominion Theatre, you’ll find the iconic British Museum. See iconic ancient treasures from around the world like the Rosetta Stone and learn about everything from Sutton Hoo to Egyptian mummies. It’s even open late on Fridays!
Scenes in the Square
If you love film as much as you love theatre, head to Leicester Square to find some of the most iconic classic and contemporary film characters immortalised in expressive bronze statues. Whether you share a bench (and perhaps a marmalade sandwich) with Paddington, or burst into song with theatre’s own Mary Poppins, there’s something for all the family to enjoy. Plus, follow along with the audio tour available on all podcast platforms.
Enjoy London’s Green Spaces
London is home to some magnificent parks, many of which are only a stone’s throw away from Theatreland. Look out across the capital at the top of Primrose Hill, only a ten minute tube journey to the theatre from Chalk Farm. Have a picnic in the 350 acre Hyde Park, or head to St James’ Park, where you can watch the pelicans being fed every day at 2.30pm. If you’re just looking for a very central spot for a sit down and a snack before your trip to a West End Theatre, the garden of the Actors Church in Covent Garden is one of Theatreland’s worst kept secrets and a little oasis of calm located just next to Covent Garden market.
Barbican Conservatory
Discover a hidden tropical oasis tucked inside the Barbican. Open on selected days from 12pm, make sure to pre-book a free ticket to enjoy a moment of calm and tranquility only ten minutes from Theatreland on the Elizabeth Line.
Kids Week Theatreland Trail
Our fun Theatreland trail made especially for kids will take you round all the sights of the West End (at a short distance appropriate for little legs!) with puzzles and clues along the way. For teens and adults, there’s also a free downloadable walking tour from acting legend Ian McKellen, which will take you around theatreland along with his favourite memories and anecdotes from a lifetime of acting.
Check travel before you book
Head to our plan your visit page for all the latest tips and deals on travel. From family railcards to group travel tickets, there’s usually a way you could be saving on travel so always check before you buy. And if you’re travelling by car, you can get 50% off your parking with Q-park if you validate your ticket at the box office, so find out more on our travel page!
Across London, children under five travel free with a fare-paying adult and if a child is under 11, they can travel free on buses, Tube and most TfL rail services when travelling with an adult who is using pay as you go. Visitors to London can travel easily and conveniently by using pay as you go with contactless or Oyster. All bus and tram passengers also benefit from the Mayor’s Hopper fare, which allows unlimited journeys for the price of one when carried out within an hour of first touching in. You can plan your journey using the TfL Go app.
If you’re not sure about how to get to your show, we’ve got information on the closest bus or tube station to each theatre – plus access information should you need it – on our venue pages.
Official London Theatre also runs fun events in London throughout the year, including West End LIVE, a free weekend of musical theatre performances in Trafalgar Square. Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter below to be the first to hear about all the fun events we run around London throughout the year!