A Big Day Out at Hay Fever

Make the most out of your day seeing Hay Fever in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre

Ready for an awkward family weekend? Noël Coward’s loveable farce comes to Wyndham’s Theatre this September, over a hundred years since its debut, and it’s still as funny as ever. Hay Fever follows the Bliss family – retired actress Judith, novelist David, and their two adult children Sorrel and Simon – as they each attempt to host a guest at their country home, with chaotic results. Christine Baranski makes her West End debut as Judith, with Richard E. Grant starring opposite her as David.

If you’re heading to London to see the show, we’ve got the rest of the day sorted. From restaurants and bars to sightseeing stops and on-theme activities, here’s all the information you need to have a big day out seeing Hay Fever at Wyndham’s Theatre.

Things to do near Hay Fever
Restaurants near Hay Fever
Shopping near Hay Fever
Bars and pubs near Hay Fever
Tube stations and bus stops near Hay Fever
On-theme activities for Hay Fever

Things to do near Hay Fever

There’s tons to see and do in the bustling area around Wyndham’s Theatre, no matter rain or shine. Five minutes away, Covent Garden has lots to discover, from the markets and the brightly-lit Infinity Chamber to a unique history of the city ready to discover at the London Transport Museum. While you’re there, check out the Royal Opera House, where you’ll find costumes from past productions dotted around the building and a stunning rooftop terrace bar.

If you’re feeling lucky, the Hippodrome Casino is just up the road. Here you’ll find four floors of gaming in three uniquely themed casinos, London’s largest dedicated poker floor, nine bars and many great places to eat.

Nearby you’ll find historic Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson’s Column, along with the famous bronze lions and fountain. In this area you’ll also find two of London’s best-loved museums. The National Gallery displays artwork from the middle ages to the twentieth century, whilst the National Portrait Gallery houses famous faces new and old.

If the weather’s good, the Victoria Embankment Gardens are the perfect spot for a stroll along the north side of the Thames or a picnic lunch. See if you can spot all the statues hidden throughout this series of gardens.

For some friendly competition, you’ll find Spygames & Spyscape less than ten minutes from the theatre. Created with input from former MI6 members and top psychologists, this experience will put you and your group through a series of immersive zones, building your personalised spy profile and testing your agility and communication.

Restaurants near Hay Fever

There’s a huge variety of great chain and independent restaurants within walking distance of Wyndham’s Theatre, and Chinatown is also just a short walk away. Here are a few of our other favourite spots.

Mildred’s Covent Garden– Named London’s favourite vegan restaurant in 2023, Mildred’s has long specialised in making vegan food rich in flavour and variety. Their adventurous plant-based menu is built of globally-inspired dishes, offering something for everyone.

Browns Covent Garden – This stunning brasserie is housed in the Grade II listed Westminster County Court building and serves up brasserie favourites alongside imaginative seasonal creations. They pride themselves on catering to all dietary requirements, so they’re a safe bet for larger groups.

Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square – You’ll enjoy an excellent Indian fine dining experience here, with a menu inspired by the travel stories of the founder’s parents. It’s a true love letter to India.

Bone Daddies – This rock ‘n’ roll ramen bar is the perfect spot in which to enjoy a high-quality meal in a fast-paced. They pride themselves on serving the perfect noodle, along with Korean wings, bao buns, ribs, yuzu margaritas, and plenty more.

J Sheekey – This renowned seafood restaurant opened in 1896 a boasts a rich history of service in theatreland. You’ll find photos of their famous guests lining the walls here, as you enjoy the finest seafood and shellfish around.

Mother Mash – 19 years on, this West End institution is still one of the most popular spots around, with plenty of famous faces walking through their doors. You’ll find a menu of hearty British classics in this traditional pie and mash shop done right.

Shopping near Hay Fever

There’s lots of great shopping near Wyndham’s Theatre. Just five minutes away, Covent Garden is home to luxury fashion and beauty stores along with world-renowned restaurants and bars. The vibrant neighbourhood of Soho is just fifteen minutes’ walk from the theatre, offering an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and vintage markets.

Seventeen minutes away is Carnaby Street, a pedestrianised shopping street hosting top fashion and lifestyle brands and independent boutiques. You’ll find Oxford Street a twenty-minute walk away, packed with 300 top high street brands.

If you want to stick closer to the theatre, however, you’re in luck – just around the corner, you can explore one of London’s most historic and unusual shopping streets. Cecil Court is a famous 17^th-century shopping street housing quality independent stores – it’s particularly known for its curious old bookshops and antiquities.

Bars and pubs near Hay Fever

All of our recommended restaurants will serve you a great drink, and the area around Wyndham’s Theatre is rich in warm pubs, lively bars and hidden speakeasies. Here are a few of our top recommendations for a drink before or after Hay Fever.

Tequila Mockingbird– Offering brunch, karaoke, creative cocktails and a great happy hour, you can’t go wrong with Tequila Mockingbird if you’re looking to add a lively bar to your big night out. Featuring a sunken booth and a large cinema lightbox, their Covent Garden location has a stylish salon feel.

Archive & Myth– This speakeasy cocktail bar is a hidden oasis, with lots of vintage cocktails and unusual creations on their menu. You’ll find them on many best-of London lists.

Mr Fogg’s Tavern & Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour – These twin venues offer different vibes, but both are lovingly and eclectically decorated. At Mr Fogg’s Tavern you’ll find a great list of beers and juicy punches in a Victorian-style drinking house, whilst at the Gin Parlour you’ll explore a diverse menu of over 200 gins, in a venue that serves as an ode to art and the theatre.

Round Table – This 1877 houses two cosy floors behind its distinctive green façade. It’s a family-friendly and dog-friendly spot, with a sunny beer garden to enjoy in good weather.

The White Swan – This traditional pub boasts an eclectic collection of real ales and a menu of quality pub food. Once owned by the bankers of Fleet Street, it’s now a favourite local spot.

Tube stations and bus stops near Hay Fever

The closest tube stop to Wyndham’s Theatre is Leicester Square, on the Northern and Piccadilly lines. It’s a two minute walk from the theatre.

Also very nearby is Charing Cross, on the Bakerloo and Northern lines, and Covent Garden, on the Piccadilly line. Both are five minutes’ walk away. Charing Cross is also your closest National Rail station.

Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up near Wyndham’s Theatre. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for Hay Fever

Into The Woods at the Noël Coward Theatre – Obviously a celebration of Noël Coward should include a trip to his namesake theatre, and luck would have it that you can catch an award-winning musical while you’re there, from another theatrical great. Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods is reimagined by director James Lapine in this spellbinding production.

The Mousetrap – Another classic piece of British theatre, set just a couple of decades later than Hay Fever. If you’ve never seen Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit, then this is the perfect show to pair with Hay Fever and extend your time in theatreland.

Chiswick House – You don’t have to go all the way to Cookham, Berkshire to feel like you’re visiting the Bliss family at home. Chiswick House is an eighteenth-century country house in West London that’s completely free to roam – explore the community gardens and the art collection without any overbearing hosts to contend with.

Afternoon tea at the Grand Saloon – Just down the road at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, you can enjoy a classic high tea of your own. This luxury afternoon tea unfolds in two dramatic acts, featuring an array of sweet and savoury treats. Of course, a real on-theme Hay Fever tea should be as awkward as possible – we’ll leave it up to you as to whether you want to take it in that direction…

Hay Fever will play at Wyndham’s Theatre from 22 September until 12 December – find tickets here