The West End of London refers to the London theatre district within central London, north of the River Thames. In which you will also find London’s main tourist attractions and the most built up and busiest areas of the city including Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Bond Street. Within London’s West End you will find shops, restaurants, business, government buildings and entertainment venues.
The History Of London’s West End
Back in medieval times, London was split into two separate cities that were joined together – the City of London to the east and the City of Westminster to the west. Over time, they began to form the centre of modern London. Beforehand, each city had its own unique way of life. The City of London became the place of banking, financial and legal sectors whereas Westminster attracted tourists and became associated with shopping, leisure and entertainment attractions. This gave birth to the modern West End and defined what it is today.
London’s Longest Running West End Shows
10. No Sex Please., We’re British (15 years, 7 months) (1971-1987)
9. The Lion King (on it’s 18th year) (1999-present)
8. Starlight Express (17th year, 10 months) (1984-2002)
7. Mumma Mia! (on it’s 19th year) (1999- present)
6. Cats (21st year) (1981-2002)
5. Blood Brothers (24th year) (1988-2012)
4. The Woman In Black (28th year) (1989-present)
3. The Phantom of the Opera (31st year) (1986-present)
2. Les Misérables (32nd year) (1985-present)
1. The Mousetrap (65th year) (1951-present)
Best West End Shows 2019
If you want to find out about the best shows on the west end for the rest of the year… You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the must see’s for the rest of 2019.
The Lion King
Don’t miss out on seeing this award-winning musical which has been known to ‘redefine expectations of theatre’. This beautiful performance bursts with colour, stunning effects and enchanting music at the heart of London’s West End in the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden. With prices from £35pp, get ready to re-live your childhood!
MUMMA MIA!
Enjoy ABBA at this classic feel-good musical which will exhilarate you and your friends. Seen by over 8 million people in the West End, MUMMA MIA! continues to break box office records at the Novello Theatre based in Covent Garden because of it’s funny and feel-good factors. Perfect for an evening of romance and comedy, whatever age you are.
The Phantom Of The Opera
The highest grossing musical of all time, Phantom of the Opera is available to enjoy at Her Majesty’s Theatre from Monday to Sunday every week. With tickets that start at £30pp this multi-award-winning musical continues to captive crowds and animate audiences all over the world.
Theatre Venues Near Gem Hotels
The London Palladium - Closest Gem Hotel: Langham Court (9-minutes away)
Apollo Victoria Theatre - Closest Gem Hotel: Langham Court (17-minutes away)
If you’re planning a theatre trip to London, make sure you book in advance with us, you can save up to 12% discount on accommodation and receive complimentary breakfast when booking 30 days in advance. We look forward to seeing you soon!
