The walk starts at
[1] Leicester Square tube station, the heart of the big screens, and one of the busiest squares in London. Go North along Cranbourn Street and cross Great Newport Street where you will find
[2] The Photographer's Gallery [5 Great Newport Street], one of UK's primary venues for photography.
Continue along Upper St Martin's Lane left into West Street, passing the St Martin's and New Ambassadors Theatres. Proceed through Tower Court, into Tower Street and then right into Earlham Street, where you will find (unless it's Sunday) the Earlham Street Flower Market.
Continue along Earlham to the sun dial at
[3] Seven Dials, named after a sun-dial built here around 1694.
Head North along Monmouth Street, to Neal's Yard, originally a dairy (
Neals Yard Dairy), and still producing traditional cheeses. Cross Shorts Garden and go through the shopping complex back into Earlham Street. Lots of good restaurants around here.
Head along Shelton Street, cross
Endell Street, passing by
David Newell's clock and watch shop [number 55], to Arne Street. Follow Arne down to Long Acre, with Cafe Nero (good Italian coffee) on the corner, or for something a little more substantial (and chemical and preservative fee), there is Pret a Manger, just across the road [65 Long Acre].
Suitably refreshed, walk along Long Acre to Bow Street. Immediately past Floral Street on the right is the
[4] Royal Opera House, which has tours back-stage. Further along Bow are the
[5] Theatre Museum (temporarily closed) and the
[6] London Transport Museum (Closed until Autumn 2007).
Continue along Bow until it becomes Wellington Street. On the northern corner of Wellington and Tavistock Street, there is a blue plaque stating ‘this building housed the offices of Charles Dickens’s Magazine All the Year Round and his private apartments from 1859 to 1870.'
Continue along Tavistock, turning right into Southampton Street and proceed clockwise around the Piazza of
[7] Covent Garden Market, passing on the left the portico of St Paul’s church. This was the setting for the opening of George Bernard Shaw’s
Pygmalion.
After circuiting, or visiting, the Covent Garden Market, retrace your steps to Tavistock. Head West along Maiden Lane passing the classy
[8] Rules Restaurant [35 Maiden Lane].
Maiden Lane was originally a country lane, and provided access to the back entrance of various theatres in the Strand, including the back entrance to the Adelphi Theatre, which you pass on your left.
Turn right at Bedford Street and proceed along to Rose Street, where you can refresh yourself at the
[9] Lamb and Flag Pub before returning to Leicester Square tube station.