Hotels near Lyceum Theatre

21 Wellington Street, WC2E 7RQ
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden / Charing Cross

Burnished with gold and seating 2,000 spectators, the Lyceum is an aristocrat of London's theatreland. Its famous Grade II-listed columns have stood since 1834, but the theatre actually dates back to 1794 when Covent Garden was a wretched hive of gin and orange-sellers, and a night at the theatre was incidental to the bear-baiting and seductions happening alongside the show.

The Lyceum's turbulent first decade of life on the Strand saw it used as a circus hall, aristocratic steakhouse, and the venue for the first waxwork exhibition by one Madame Tussaud in 1802. Then, the man who immortalised Covent Garden's myriad charms of this period in 'Oliver Twist' amongst other novels became involved with the theatre: it's said that Charles Dickens himself directed a production of A Tale of Two Cities here, and what's certain is that he lived over the road at the junction of Tavistock Street and Wellington Street, marked by a blue plaque.

After many decades of Dickens adaptations - with a brief interval for the gas-lit London premiere of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte - the theatre gained a new notoriety under one of the greatest English actor-managers.

Sir Henry Irving took over the Lyceum in 1871 and brought Shakespeare back to the West End, performing the likes of Hamlet to spellbound audiences for over 200 nights. Melodrama became the set fare of the early 20th century and after the war the grand interior of the Lyceum became a ballroom, hosting the likes of U2 and the Grateful Dead in later years.

Like many West End theatres it was saved from an uncertain future by the populist genius of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and the opening run of Jesus Christ Superstar, and for the last decade it's been the home of Disney's The Lion King, a lavish spectacular fitting of the theatre's luxurious surroundings. Tickets for The Lion King start at £20-£75.

Our most popular tried and tested 3 star hotel in the West End of London. The St Giles is only a short walk away from the Lyceum Theatre

The Strand Palace is only a very few minutes easy stroll to Covent Garden, the London Eye and Drury Lane. The hotel is located on the Strand in the West End and is close to many theatres, restaurants and bars. To its north lies Holborn and Russell Square, an area that is home to the British Museum, whilst to the east lies Tottenham Court Road, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.