Theatre
Big Day Out
A Big Day Out at Matilda The Musical
Make the most out of your day seeing Matilda The Musical in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre
Well over a decade since it first arrived at the Cambridge Theatre, Matilda The Musical is still one of the warmest, funniest theatregoing experiences in the West End. One of those shows that appeals to every age group, Matilda makes just as good a date night as it does a family day trip. If you’re looking to make the most of your time in learn and turn your visit to the Cambridge Theatre into a fantastic day out, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your guide to things to do before and after seeing Matilda.
Things to do near Matilda The Musical
Restaurants near Matilda The Musical
Shopping near Matilda The Musical
Bars and pubs near Matilda The Musical
Tube stations and bus stops near Matilda The Musical
On-theme activities for Matilda The Musical
Things to do near Matilda The Musical
The Cambridge Theatre couldn’t be in a better location. Just a five-minute walk from Covent Garden and right next door to Leicester Square and the rest of London’s theatre district, and if the weather’s on your side there’s lots to see and enjoy simply by exploring the surrounding area on foot. A 10-minute walk will also take you to Trafalgar Square, where you can admire Nelson’s Column and the lions at the fountain, whilst just around the corner from the theatre you’ll find Covent Garden’s Infinity Chamber – one of London’s best spots to snap a photo.
If you’re after an indoor activity, the London Transport Museum is a seven-minute walk from the Cambridge Theatre, and houses 200 years of stories and innovations to explore. If you’ve got little ones to entertain, their live show, Transport Explorers, is worth catching.
Also a short walk away is the National Gallery, a brilliant way to spend a few hours before the show and learn a lot about art history. The National Portrait Gallery is very nearby as well – we challenge you to see how many famous faces you can spot.
Restaurants near Matilda The Musical
There are a huge number of great places to eat near the Cambridge Theatre, catering to all occasions from a quick bite to a family meal to a romantic dinner for two. You’ll find lots of popular chains nearby.
Seven Dials Market – If you’re finding it hard to please everyone, Seven Dials Market is a great place to explore a ton of different street food options – just be aware that the market can get very busy at mealtimes.
Rossopomodoro – For a sit-down meal that all ages will enjoy, this Italian restaurant is a minute from the theatre, serving woodfired pizzas in an informal setting.
Maxwell’s Covent Garden – Another family favourite, this US eatery offers American-style excess with lots of diner favourites, including their infamous ‘freakshakes’.
Inamo – This high-tech Japanese restaurant is just four minutes from the theatre and seats guests at interactive touchpad tables, on which they can order food, play games and watch films.
Brother Marcus – Brother Marcus offers all-day dining in warm, welcoming space, serving seasonal dishes and mezze sharing plates inspired by the flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean. They also offer pre-theatre dining, so you won’t have to worry about timing your meal right.
Monmouth Kitchen – Perfect for a special occasion, this chic eatery offers an Italian-Peruvian menu with a great selection of wines.
The Barbary – If you’re looking for a unique culinary experience, this North African restaurant will serve you up excellent small plates in a tiny, quirky space.
Shopping near Matilda The Musical
Right next door to Covent Garden, The Cambridge Theatre is within walking distance of some of London’s best shopping, offering everything from independent boutiques and designer outlets to your favourite high street brands. Venture a little further and you’ll find Oxford Street a 20-minute walk away, with even more to choose from.
If you’re looking to keep the kids entertained – or entertain your own inner child – there’s some fantastic flagship stores nearby. The LEGO Store houses lots of elaborate sculptures to discover, although beware that their enormous range of sets is hard to resist. The M&M Store sits just over the road and boasts the world’s biggest candy wall along with other fun activities for visitors to try – including printing their faces on custom M&Ms.
For comic book fans, a five-minute walk from the theatre you can find the Forbidden Planet Megastore. Home to an enormous range of graphic novels and comics as well as a huge merch selection, there’s something for nerds of all ages.
Bars and pubs near Matilda The Musical
The Escapologist – Hide away from reality in this underground bar, based in the old headquarters of a prominent Victorian secret society and serving classic cocktails with a twist.
Baaria – A café, cocktail and wine bar, Baaria’s aim is to bring people together Italian-style from sunup to sundown. You’ll find a drink for any occasion here, along with shareable Italian plates.
The Crown – For a classic London pint, old-school corner pub The Crown is a Grade II listed building and has been serving Londoners for almost two centuries.
The Cambridge – Built in 1887, this historic pub has been popular with actors and theatregoers alike for well over a century, and places particular focus on its cask ales and quality gins.
Tube stations and bus stops near Matilda The Musical
The closest tube stations to the Cambridge Theatre are Covent Garden, served by the Piccadilly line, and Leicester Square, served by the Piccadilly and Northern lines. Tottenham Court Road is a 15-minute walk from the theatre and is on the Central, Elizabeth and Northern lines. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up nearby. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.
On-theme activities for Matilda The Musical
The British Library – The best way to get into the spirit of Matilda is to get lost in a good book, and the British Library is the perfect place to do that. You can get lost on their beautiful site by Kings Cross & St Pancras Station, explore their extensive shelves, and visit some of their exhibitions, including their free Treasures Gallery.
Waterstones Piccadilly – Another great place to pick out your next read, Waterstones Piccadilly is the largest bookshop in Europe, home to eight miles of bookshelves.
L’ETO Caffe Soho – You can try a chocolate treat that Miss Trunchbull herself would approve of at this famous spot, serving a range of decadent desserts that taste as good as they look.
Discover Children’s Story Centre – One of Matilda’s greatest strengths is her huge imagination, and the Discover Children’s Story Centre is the perfect place to take kids ahead of seeing the show. Situated in Stratford, the Story Centre boasts two floors of magical story worlds, with tons of surprises to discover and plenty of space for the imagination to run wild.
Matilda The Musical is currently playing at the Cambridge Theatre – find tickets here
