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 too. You’ll find lots of popular chains nearby. 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.
For a sit-down meal that all ages will enjoy, Italian restaurant Rossopomodoro is a minute from the theatre, serving woodfired pizzas in an informal setting. Maxwell’s Covent Garden is another family favourite, offering American-style excess with lots of diner favourites and their infamous ‘freakshakes’. Also well worth a visit is 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 in Covent Garden is another relaxed pre-theatre dining option and a great one for vegetarians, serving a mix of British and Mediterranean small plates – if you’re looking for food earlier in the day, their brunch is particularly famous. For those after something hearty, Hawksmoor Seven Dials will serve you a fantastic steak, and has a menu packed with British classics. If you’re looking to graze (and sip) you can’t go wrong with Pick & Cheese in Seven Dials, where you’ll be seated at a sushi-style conveyor belt of cheeses, paired with condiments and wine.
For a special occasion, Monmouth Kitchen is just around the corner – this chic eatery offers an Italian-Peruvian menu with a great selection of wines. Or, if you’re looking for a unique culinary experience, North African restaurant The Barbary, also just around the corner, 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 perfect place to grab a pre-show drink before Matilda has to be The Escapologist (if you don’t know why, we won’t ruin it for you!) This eclectic underground bar serves a classic cocktails with a twist in a creative setting. A lively pre or post-show option is the Covent Garden Social Club, which houses a piano bar upstairs and a basement cocktail bar below.
For a great glass of wine, try Baaria. Three minutes from the theatre, this Italian wine bar also serves excellent food if you find yourself feeling peckish. For a classic London pint, old-school corner pub The Crown is just across the road, and has been serving Londoners for almost two centuries. The Cambridge, only a couple of minutes further, is another historic London pub and is known for its excellent cask ales.
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 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. Another great place to pick out your next read is Waterstones Piccadilly. The largest bookshop in Europe, this multi-story store is home to eight miles of bookshelves.
A key plot ingredient in Matilda is Miss Trunchbull’s famous chocolate cake. You can try a chocolate treat that Miss Trunchbull herself would approve of at L’ETO Caffe Soho, which serves up a range of decadent desserts that taste as good as they look. Or, for an extra special on-theme treat, you can head to One Aldwych and partake in their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea.
One of Matilda’s greatest strengths is her huge imagination, and the Discover Children’s Story Centre offers the perfect activity for 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
