London has some of the very best theatres in the world. Here's a selection of the top 10:

1. The Adelphi Theatre which showcases record-breaking productions and hit Broadway musicals on the Strand, in the City of Westminster.
2. The Barbican in the City of London which provides the base of the London Symphony Orchestra.
3. The London Coliseum in the West End is the home of the English National Opera.
4. The Lyceum Theatre located on Wellington Street, is one of the UK's most important and prominent theatres.
5. The National Theatre on the South Bank, one of London's most iconic repertory theatres.
6. The Noël Coward Theatre in St. Martin's Lane, which hosts many award-winning productions.
7. Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre, an award-winning theatre nestled between the trees at Regent's Park.
8. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Home to The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and the orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
9. Shakespeares Globe, one of the finest repertory theatres in the world, located on the South Bank.
10. Shaftesbury Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. The largest independent theatre in the West End.

From magical musicals, to intense dramas and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, we've handpicked what we think are the best London theatre shows to experience this year. The Top 10 best London theatre shows of 2024 are:

1. MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre from June to October
2. Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre from 17th January to 31st March
3. MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre
4. TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre
5. The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre
6. WICKED the Musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre
7. Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre
8. Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre
9. Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre London
10. MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre

While personal preferences play a significant role, there are universally recognized seats known for offering the best views and sound quality. Here's what you need to know:

The Stalls:

• The stalls are closest to the stage, offering an immersive experience.
• Being on the same level as the stage means the sound is direct and often, the most balanced.

The Dress Circle or Royal Circle:

• The first few rows of the dress circle provide an unobstructed, panoramic view of the stage, making them highly sought after.
• The elevation helps in capturing the full range of sounds.

The Grand Circle or Upper Circle:

• Higher up and further back, these seats offer a wide view.
• The acoustics at this height can vary; however, modern theatres are designed to ensure sound quality is maintained.

Our theatre break packages offer a range of seating options, from standard to premium. You're the director of your experience! Choose from stalls, circle, or balcony seats depending on your preference and budget.

One of the easiest and most hassle-free ways of travelling around London is via public transport. All of the theatres in London can be reached easily by bus or using underground tube trains. Bus and tube stations are all within just a 5-minute walking distance of West End theatres. You could also travel in a taxi, though the cheapest option tends to be public transport.

The Mousetrap is the world's longest running London theatre production. Agatha Christie's timeless thriller has been running in the West End since November 1952, so it's been playing for almost an incredible 70 years.

Les Misérables is the longest running musical in the West End, after initially opening in the Barbican Center in October 1985, this world-famous musical has been an enormous success, entertaining theatre-lovers ever since. This is followed closely by the phenomenal Phantom of the Opera, which has been wowing audiences since October 1986.

Strand Palace hotel and Waldorf Hilton are both 4-star hotels located just a 1-2 minute walk away from the Lyceum Theatre, making them a popular choice with people seeing The Lion King. For more hand-picked recommendations, check out our Top 10 hotels near Lyceum Theatre page.

If you're looking for the closest hotel to Aldwych Theatre, the Waldorf Hilton needs to be on your radar - it's just a 1 minute walk away. The NYX Hotel London Holborn, located within easy walking distance (or a quick bus ride away) is also a super convenient choice. Our best hotels if you're on a budget would be the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury or St Giles hotel. For lots more hand-picked recommendations, check out our Top 10 hotels near Aldwych Theatre page.