With our annual summer promotion, Kids Week, kids go free for the whole of August! A child 17 and under goes free when accompanied by an adult paying full price, plus an additional two children can attend for half price for performances throughout August. So if you haven’t got your tickets yet, check out all the amazing shows that are on offer here.
Once you’ve got your tickets, why not make a day of it . There’s so much more that you can do and see to make your theatre trip into a whole day out in London and it doesn’t need to cost the world! We’ve put together a list of free and discounted ways you can make the most of your trip to London this summer, check out some of our top tips below.
1. Explore London’s green spaces
Did you know you could find something like this in central London? There are so many great parks around the West End for a picnic and a play before you see your theatre show. Victoria Embankment Gardens has plenty of space, some gorgeous flowers and even a little play park.
You’re also only a stones throw away from St James’s Park which is nice and shady on a hot day, with plenty of places to settle down under a tree by the lake. Plus, you can wander all the way up to Buckingham Palace and take in the extra sights! If you’re just looking for a very central spot for a sit down and a snack, the garden of the Actors Church in Covent Garden is one of Theatreland’s worst kept secrets and a little oasis of calm just off of Covent Garden market.
2. Bring the activities with you!
We’ve got so many activities for you to download or print if you’ve got a long train or car journey and unoccupied little ones. Head to our Family Theatre Fun page to find West End colouring sheets drawn especially by our designer Tess; ten rounds of theatre quizzes to test the whole family, and sing-a-longs and learning from some of the shows.
We’ve also got a fun Kids Week theatreland trail that will take you round the sights of the West End (at a short distance appropriate for little legs!) with puzzles hints and clues along the way. For older kids, 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.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Scenes In The Square statues of eight icons from a century of film in Leicester Square. There’s even a free walking tour of the statues narrated by Alex Zane full of movie clips, trivia and interviews; find it here on Spotify. You’ll find Laurel and Hardy on top of our very own TKTS booth, so you can even grab some last-minute discount theatre tickets while you’re there!
3. Get more from your ticket
We’ve got a whole page of deals all in walking distance of London’s West End Theatres. Find a bunch of deals on pre-dinner meals and snacks that you get exclusive access to with your theatre ticket – some designed specifically for families! And if you’ve got some time to kill before your show, there are some great shopping deals that your theatre ticket will get you access to too!
4. 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.
5. See more than just theatre
Did you know that the museum district is only a 10 minute tube journey away from the West End? You can find the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, V & A and more in South Kensington, just 5 stops away from Leicester Square on the Piccadilly Line. Though they might have extra exhibitions on, you can access their main collections for free! Plus the British Museum is within walking distance of Theatreland, up Tottenham Court Road.