Named after the 2nd Earl of Leicester who purchased four acres of land in 1630, the area has been subject to numerous disputes over land ownership and control, all of which are now resolved.
Leicester Square has the reputation of being THE place to be for entertainment at night, but also has a peaceful park area during the daytime. Here you will find a statue of William Shakespeare standing above a fountain which features a dolphin theme.
Wardour Street has existed, by one name or another, almost since the beginning of mapping in London.
The current name, as applied to the whole length of the street from Leicester Square to Oxford Street only derives from the 1900's. Previous to that only a portion of the current street was named Wardour Street.
Sir Archibald Wardour was the designer of several of the buildings on the street and it derives its name from him.
