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Leicester Square

Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LU

Access Guide

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Overview (Key Accessibility Information)

Related West End Venues

  • The following venues are located around Leicester Square.

Getting Here (Leicester Square)

On Street Parking (Orange Street and St Martin's Street)

  • There is a/are clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Orange Street and St Martin's Street.
  • The dimensions of the on street Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
  • There are not parking charges for the on street Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 4 hours only.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • Orange Street which has 3 Blue Badge bays where it meets Charing Cross Road.
      St Martin's Street has 5 Blue Badge bays, with other bays being for residents only.
      The bays on St Martin's Street are flush with the pavement but those on Orange Street have no dropped kerb.
  • Comments View
    • Parking in the area is very limited and visitors are encouraged to use public transport, however for information about the Blue Badge Scheme and parking in London please click here (new tab).

General Accessibility (Leicester Square)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Leicester Square is pedestrianised for most of the day.
      Delivery vehicles are allowed in the mornings, between midnight and 11.00.
      The area can become very busy during peak times.
      There is step-free access throughout Leicester Square.
      The surface of the paths throughout the square consists of granite pavers.
      The path is uneven in places with a mixture of very slight and slight slopes.
      There are a number of surrounding streets that provide access to the square.
    • There is a very slight slope that leads towards the gardens along the north side of the square, between Swiss Court/Leicester Street and Cranbourn Street.
      There is a very slight downhill slope that leads away from the gardens along the east side of the square, between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street.
      There is a very slight uphill slope that leads away from the gardens along the south side of the square, between Irving Street and Panton Street.
      There is a long slight uphill slope that leads away from the gardens along the west side of the square, between Panton Street and Swiss Court/Leicester Street.
    • Access points for Leicester Square Gardens are located in each corner of Leicester Square.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There is concrete bench seating available throughout Leicester Square.
      The seating is located on all sides of the square surrounding the gardens.
      The seating height varies due to the undulating design of the benches.
    • There are restaurant outdoor seating areas and menu boards located in places along all 4 sides of Leicester Square.
    • There are a number of waste disposal bins located throughout Leicester Square.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • There are Legible London wayfinding signs located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Charing Cross Road (Stops L and K).
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square.
    • There are no tube station access points located on Leicester Square.
      The nearest tube station access points are located on Charing Cross Road, all accessed by steps.

Main Pedestrian Crossing(s) (Junction - Coventry Street with Whitcomb Street and Wardour Street)

  • There are 3 crossing points at this junction; Coventry Street, Whitcomb Street and Wardour Street.
    Whitcomb Street and Wardour Street crossings connect with Leicester Square (Swiss Court).
    There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on all sides of the road at this junction.
  • The road surface is tarmac throughout.
  • There is one-way traffic at the crossings on Whitcomb Street and Coventry Street, and 2-way traffic on Wardour Street.
    The floor signage indicates the direction of traffic, however, the markings on the Wardour Street crossing should say 'Look Both Ways'.
  • There are visual but not audible indicators at all the crossing points.
    The visual indicators are activated by push buttons, between the heights of 95cm and 104cm.
    There is at least 1 push button box either side of the road at each crossing, with a rotating cone to indicate when it is safe to cross.

General Accessibility (Swiss Court)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Swiss Court runs between Whitcomb/Wardour Street and Leicester Square.
      There are bollards at the opening to Swiss Court that are over 100cm apart.
      There is step-free access throughout Swiss Court.
      Swiss Court is pedestrianised.
    • The pavement surface consists of granite pavers.
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Swiss Court.
    • The area can become very congested during busy periods throughout the day.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There are no seating/resting areas along Swiss Court.
      The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are waste disposal bins available along Swiss Court.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • There is a Legible London wayfinding sign located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube stations are Leicester Square (from Charing Cross Road) and Piccadilly Circus.

General Accessibility (Leicester Street)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Leicester Street runs between Lisle Street and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout Leicester Street.
      Leicester Street is pedestrianised.
      The pavement surface throughout this area is uneven in places and consists of flagstone paving and tarmac.
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Leicester Street.
    • There are bollards and concrete blocks in Leicester Street where the narrowest gaps are 85cm wide.
    • The path can become very congested during busy periods throughout the day.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There is no seating/resting areas along Leicester Street.
      The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are no waste disposal bins along Leicester Street.
    • Some restaurants along Leicester Street have enclosed external seating.
      Some of these seating areas have bollards with fabric screens.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • There are rentable bikes positioned along the street.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square.
    • The nearest tube station access points are located on Charing Cross Road, accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (Leicester Place)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Leicester Place runs between Lisle Street and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout Leicester Place.
      Leicester Place is pedestrianised.
      The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving.
      There is a slight slope along the length of Leicester Place.
    • There are large steel boxes to block the entrance to Leicester Place to vehicles.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • Two of the steel boxes have bench seats, about 45cm high on one side.
    • There are no waste disposal bins available along Leicester Place.
    • Some restaurants have enclosed external seating areas with bollards and fabric screens.
      There are some bike racks with visual identification bands on them to one side of Leicester Place.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access points located on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (Leicester Court)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Leicester Court runs between Little Newport Street/Lisle Street and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout Leicester Court.
      Leicester Court is pedestrianised.
      The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving, tarmac and metal plates.
      There is a slight slope along the length of Leicester Court.
    • There are steep boxes to block vehicle access part way along Leicester Court.
      The widest point between the blocks is 125cm which is between the boxes.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There is no seating/resting areas along Leicester Court.
      The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are no waste disposal bins available along Leicester Court.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access points on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), both accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (Cranbourn Street (Leicester Square to Charing Cross Road))

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Cranbourn Street runs from Leicester Square to Charing Cross Road (continuing beyond up to St Martin's Lane).
      There is step-free access throughout this section of Cranbourn Street.
      Cranbourn Street is pedestrianised.
      There are bollards at the opening to Cranbourn Street from Charing Cross Road with gaps between 95cm - 120cm wide.
      The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving.
      There was temporary construction work at time of survey (April 2024).
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Cranbourn Street.
    • The path can become very congested during busy periods throughout the day.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There is no seating/resting areas along Cranbourn Street.
      The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are no waste disposal bins available along Cranbourn Street.
    • Some restaurants have enclosed external seating areas.
      Some of these seating areas have bollards with fabric screens.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square.
    • There are no tube station access points located on the pedestrianised section of Cranbourn Street.
      The nearest tube station access points are located on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), both accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (Charing Cross Road - West Side)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • This part of Charing Cross Road runs between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street.
      There is a very slight downhill slope along the length of Charing Cross Road, from north to south.
      There are some areas, such as when passing Barclays Bank, where the path slopes across its width.
      The majority of businesses along this part of Charing Cross Road have step-free entrances.
    • Charing Cross Road is not pedestrianised and can become very busy with traffic.
      The pavement consists of flagstone paving with areas of block paving in places.
      The surface of the path is uneven in places.
    • There are 2 central islands on Charing Cross Road by Irving Street.
      There is no marked crossing to these 2 central islands which are not flush with the road, however there is another crossing within 20m.
      The crossing has belisha beacons, a slight slope with tactile paving and a dropped kerb.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • Some restaurants/cafés have external seating areas.
      There are also menu/advertisement boards, trees, phone boxes and waste bins located along the street.
      There are bike racks and bollards 180cm apart on the central island close to Irving Street.
    • There is an ATM available approximately halfway along the street.
    • There is no public seating/resting areas along Charing Cross Road.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding sign is located outside the access point for Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • There is a bus stop (Leicester Square - Stop L) located on the west side of Charing Cross Road between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street.
    • This bus stop services the following routes: 24, 29, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279.
      The bus stop is sheltered and has bench seating available.
    • There is a taxi rank located on the west side of Charing Cross Road, between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access points located on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), both accessed by steps.

Charing Cross Road - West Side (Leicester Square Underground Access Point)

  • There is an access point into Leicester Square Underground Station located on the west side of Charing Cross Road, between Cranbourn Street and Little Newport Street.
  • There is step-free access along Charing Cross Road between Leicester Square and this access point.
  • There is stepped access at the access point down to the station.
  • Charing Cross Road is not pedestrianised.
  • The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving.
  • There is a very slight slope along the length of Charing Cross Road.

Main Pedestrian Crossing(s) (Junction - Charing Cross Road with Cranbourn Street)

  • There are 3 crossing points at this junction.
    All 3 crossings have dropped kerbs and grey tactile paving on both sides.
  • The Charing Cross Road crossing point on the south side of the junction has a central island.
    The central island is flush with the road and is not marked with tactile paving.
    The crossing is intended to be crossed in one go.
  • The road surface at all 3 crossings consists of coloured buff tarmac which contrasts with the grey road.
  • There is two-way traffic on Charing Cross Road.
    There is one-way traffic westbound on Cranbourn Street.
    There is written floor signage to indicate the direction of traffic at all 3 crossings.

General Accessibility (Cranbourn Alley)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Cranbourn Alley runs between Cranbourn Street and Bear Street.
      There is step free access throughout Cranbourn Alley.
      Cranbourn Alley is pedestrianised.
      The pavement surface consists of tarmac.
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Cranbourn Alley.
      Cranbourn Alley is narrow in places, due to obstructions such as industrial disposal units and delivery items.
    • There is a bollard at the Cranbourn Street opening to Cranbourn Alley.
      The width either side of the bollard is 123cm.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There is no seating/resting areas along Cranbourn Alley.
      The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are no waste disposal bins available along Cranbourn Alley.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access points located on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), both accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (Bear Street)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Bear Street runs between Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout Bear Street.
      Bear Street is pedestrianised.
      There are bollards at the entrance to Bear Street from Charing Cross Road.
      The gaps are 120cm wide, however they are further narrowed by external/outside seating which is set-up when the bar opens.
    • The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving.
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Bear Street.
    • The path can become very congested during busy periods throughout the day.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There are no seating/resting areas along Bear Street.
      The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are waste disposal bins available in Bear Street.
    • Some restaurants have outside seating areas enclosed by bollards with fabric screens. The seating, which is set up once the Bear & Staff pub opens, narrows the pavement so 2 bollards to one side are used by pedestrians.
      There was construction work at time of survey (April 2024) along part of the street.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access from Charing Cross Road, by steps.

General Accessibility (Irving Street)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Irving Street runs between Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout Irving Street.
      Irving Street is pedestrianised 11.00 - midnight.
      There are bollards at the opening to Irving Street that have gaps between 95cm - 120cm wide.
    • The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving.
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Irving Street.
    • The path can become very congested during busy periods throughout the day.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are waste disposal bins available along Irving Street.
    • Some restaurants have outside seating areas, enclosed by planters or bollards with fabric screens.
      .
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding signs are located on Swiss Court, outside M&M's World and outside the access point to Leicester Square Underground Station, on the east side of Charing Cross Road.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access points located on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), both accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (St Martin's Street)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • St Martin’s Street runs between Whitcomb Street and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout St Martin’s Street.
      St Martin’s Street is pedestrianised from the crossing with Orange Street to Leicester Square.
      The bottom half of the street runs one-way from Whitcomb Street to Orange Street.
      The pavement surface consists of flagstone paving and tarmac.
      There is a slight slope along the length of St Martin’s Street, with the bottom half of the street having the steepest gradient.
    • The path can become congested during busy periods throughout the day.
      There is a non-pedestrianised part of the road.
      There is a minimum width of 140cm where the bollards narrow the pavement on the bottom part of the road by Whitcomb Street.
      The pedestrianised section of the street north from Orange Street, has a slight slope up towards the Square.
    • There is a crossing over Orange Street towards Leicester Square from St Martin's Street.
      The road is raised to be flush with the pavement on both sides of the crossing which consists of a buff tarmac to contrast with grey road.
      There is no tactile paving on either side of the crossing.
      The road surface consists of asphalt.
      There is no written floor signage to indicate the direction of traffic.
      There are no visual indicators available at the crossing.
      There are 5 Blue Badge bays on the street.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are various bicycle racks on the pedestrianised and non-pedestrianised sections of the road.
      There are Santander Cycles to borrow by the parking bays.
      There are bollards at the top of the pedestrianised section of the street onto Leicester Square.
      They are 119cm apart and do not have visual identification bands.
    • There are no waste disposal bins available along St Martin’s Street.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • There is a Legible London wayfinding sign on the lower non-pedestrianised section of the road by the Blue Badge bays.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube station is Leicester Square, with access points located on Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street (east side), both accessed by steps.

General Accessibility (Panton Street)

  • Paths and Pavements View
    • Panton Street runs between Whitcomb Street and Leicester Square.
      There is step-free access throughout Panton Street.
      Panton Street is pedestrianised.
      The pavement is uneven in places and consist of flagstone paving.
      There is a very slight slope along the length of Panton Street.
  • Street Furniture and Features View
    • There are 4 bollards without visual identification bands alongside a row of planted boxes where the street meets Whitcomb Street.
      The bollards are approximately 115cm apart.
      The planted boxes to the side of the street are 155cm apart.
    • The nearest seating area is located in Leicester Square, surrounding Leicester Square Gardens.
    • There are no waste disposal bins available along Panton Street.
  • Maps and Signage View
    • The nearest Legible London wayfinding sign is located on Swiss Court, outside M&M World.
  • Public Transport View
    • The nearest bus stops are located on Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest taxi ranks are located on Wardour Street, Whitcomb Street and Charing Cross Road.
    • The nearest tube stations are Leicester Square (from Charing Cross Road) and Piccadilly Circus, both accessed by steps.

TKTS Kiosk - Leicester Square

  • The TKTS Kiosk is located to the south side of Leicester Square.
  • The kiosk provides tickets for West end shows and theatre productions.
  • It is open from 11.30 to 18:00, 7 days a week.
  • There are five windows at the counter which are 130cm high.
  • All windows are staffed and have a signed induction loop.
  • There are two digital screens by the kiosk that show the times and availability of shows.
  • There are two clearly marked steps in front of the TKTS Kiosk which are 10cm high.
  • There are handrails in the centre.
  • There are slight slopes either side of the TKTS Kiosk which bypass the steps.

Access To (Leicester Square Public Toilets)

  • This section describes the access to the public toilets which are below ground, off the north side of Leicester Square.
  • The female toilets are in the north-west of the square and the male toilets are in the north-east of the square.
  • There are 22 steps .
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is a second lower handrail.
  • There is a landing.
  • There is not a lift for public use.

Standard Toilet(s) (Leicester Square Public Toilets)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the north-side of the gardens.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
    • There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 90cm.
    • The height of the lowered wash basin is 70cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • There is a turnstile 50cm wide to enter the toilet area.
      The toilets cost 50p or 1Euro to use.
      There is no machine to give change.
      There is a second ambulant toilet in the female toilet which was out of order at the time of the survey and may have different configuration.
      There is also a larger cubicle with a washbasin and toilet.
      There are attendants in the toilet area.
  • Comments View
    • There is a separate baby changing room in the male and female toilets.
    • These rooms are at the bottom of the stairs, before the turnstiles.
    • The rooms need to be unlocked by the attendant.
    • At the time of the survey (July 2019) the rooms could not be surveyed.