A Big Day Out at My Neighbour Totoro

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

The blockbuster stage adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli film just keeps on being called back by London audiences. My Neighbour Totoro has been a favourite with the theatregoing public since it opened, and hasn’t done too badly with critics either – six Olivier Awards speak for themselves. A celebration of imagination, creativity and family, My Neighbour Totoro speaks to old and young minds alike, and is the perfect activity around which to build a big day out in London. If you’re looking to round out your visit with great food, nearby activities and the perfect pre-show drink then we’ve got you covered. Here’s all the information you need to have a big day out seeing My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Things to do near My Neighbour Totoro
Restaurants near My Neighbour Totoro
Shopping near My Neighbour Totoro
Bars and pubs near My Neighbour Totoro
Tube stations and bus stops near My Neighbour Totoro
On-theme activities for My Neighbour Totoro

Things to do near My Neighbour Totoro

The Gillian Lynne Theatre sits in a bustling part of London’s theatre district, with tons to see and do in the area. Right next door is The Top Secret Comedy Club, an intimate comedy venue with multiple shows per day, so you’ll always find one that fits around your schedule. Once a well-kept secret, today the venue attracts huge names, but still maintains its underground feel – and keeps drink prices low.

Four minutes away from the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Covent Garden offers plenty of interesting experiences. Snap photos in the Infinity Chamber, visit The London Transport Museum or admire the stunning costumes on display at the Royal Opera House, as well as the panoramic views from their rooftop bar.

A great rainy-day activity is the British Museum, just seven minutes away and one of London’s best free attractions, dedicated to human history, art and culture. It boasts a collection of eight million objects spanning two million years, so it’s easy to wile away hours here.

The Courtauld Gallery is just fifteen minutes away, boasting a curated collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art, housed in historic Somerset House. Or if you fancy being outdoors, Neal’s Yard is the perfect place to take photos in the sun, as well as explore the collection of health and wellness businesses housed in their colourful courtyard.

Restaurants near My Neighbour Totoro

There’s a huge variety of great chain and independent restaurants within walking distance of the Gillian Lynne Theatre, so it’ll never be too difficult to find something for everyone. Here are a few of our favourite spots.

TOWN Restaurant – Chef Steve Parle unites his passions for regenerative farming and ingredient-first cooking at TOWN, which does away with gimmicks and focuses only on truly excellent food made with fresh British produce.

Shoryu Ramen Covent Garden – Offering pre- and post-theatre dining, Shoryu specialises in Hakata tonkotsu ramen from the island of Kyusha, offering an authentic Japanese dining experience and a special sake menu for perfect pairings.

Barrafina Drury Lane – This modern Spanish tapas restaurant is inspired by the legendary tapas bars of Barcelona. With its plant-filled windows and long marble dining counter, it’s an inviting space in which to enjoy a meal or share a few small plates before or after the show.

Hoa Sen – This Vietnamese family restaurant aims to recreate the vibe of their family feasts, with warm hospitality and excellent traditional dishes made with love. They specialise in excellent pho.

Flesh & Buns – A hidden eatery below the hubbub of Seven Dials, this Japanese restaurant is inspired by the concept of ‘izakaya’, referencing the traditional Japanese taverns that combine great food with generous hospitality and companionship. Expect pillowy boa buns with grilled fillings and delicious sharing plates.

Brother Marcus Covent Garden – This welcoming Eastern Mediterranean restaurant focuses on the Cretan and Cypriot flavours of their founders’ ancestry, offering pre-theatre dining and excellent sharing options.

Shopping near My Neighbour Totoro

There’s lots of great shopping with walking distance of the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Covent Garden is just four minutes away, home to luxury fashion and beauty stores and vibrant bars and restaurants. An eighteen-minute walk will find you in the heart of Soho, where you’ll find an eclectic mix of shops from high street brands to unique boutiques and vintage stores. The famous Oxford Street is also just a twenty-minute walk away, where you’ll find over 300 of your favourite high street brands.

If you’re ready to embrace imagination, a stop by the LEGO Store in Leicester Square is a must – here you’ll find rare sets and eye-popping sculptures, just a twelve-minute walk from the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Just over the road, M&Ms London boasts four delicious floors, with treats you won’t find anywhere else. And if you’re ready to get wrapped up in more great stories, you’ll find Forbidden Planet just six minutes away – the world’s largest comic retailer boasts a huge range of comics, graphic novels, books and collectibles to explore in their flagship store.

Bars and pubs near My Neighbour Totoro

All of our recommended restaurants can pour you something delicious, and the theatre bar is also a great place to stop by before the show. Here are a few of our other recommendations for a drink before or after seeing My Neighbour Totoro.

Oriole – In Oriole’s Bamboo Bar you’ll find cocktail recipes from all over the globe, a focus on seasonal ingredients, and occasionally live music, all housed in their intimate, classy space beneath Covent Garden.

The Piano Works – Perfect for a pre or post-show drink – or a bottomless brunch on the weekends – The Piano Works provides a vibrant atmosphere, with live music, singing waiters and occasional show tunes nights.

Bunga 90 – This immersive 90s cocktail bar is the perfect way to extend your night. You’ll search for the entrance inside a 90s video store and follow a nostalgic route to their secret bar, winding your way back through time. Expect drinks built by a claw machine and the occasional bathroom rave.

The Sun Pub – If you’re after a traditional pub experience, the Sun Pub offers great pub food, great ales and no frills. Expect a warm, cosy atmosphere that’ll make you feel like a local.

The Marlborough Head – This is a lively pub and kitchen pouring classic lagers and craft beers along with a curated selection of wines and spirits. They also have a great menu of seasonal pub food.

Cecilia’s Wine House – This cosy, friendly wine bar offers a broad selection of Bordeaux and Burgundies, as well as lots of new wines and good value glasses and bottles on their carefully curated list.

Tube stations and bus stops near My Neighbour Totoro

The closest tube stop to the Gillian Lynne Theatre is Covent Garden, which is just four minutes from the theatre by foot, and sits on the Piccadilly line. Holborn is also just six minutes away and sits on the Central and Piccadilly lines. Ten minutes away is Tottenham Court Road for the Northern, Central and Elizabeth lines.

Your closest National Rail station is Charing Cross, which is a fifteen minute walk away and also sits on the Bakerloo and Northern lines. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up near the Garrick Theatre. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for My Neighbour Totoro

The Lion King – Another animated classic brought to life with incredible puppetry, The Lion King has been running in the West End since 1999, telling the story of Simba and the malevolent Scar, and bringing the Pridelands to life with a magic that still dazzles audiences. If you want to add a second show to your trip, this one pairs perfectly.

Young V&A – Also called the V&A Museum of Childhood, this branch of the museum sits in Bethnal Green and caters to young people, offering lots of family friendly activities and exhibits to spark creativity. There’s no better way to get imaginations warmed up for My Neighbour Totoro.

Queen’s Wood – This 52-acre area of ancient woodland could easily be the magical forest that Totoro calls home. A hidden gem in the London Borough of Haringey, these woods boast a beautiful local café, a wooden play area and lots of nature to explore.

The Mundo Pixar Experience – An ode to a different beloved animation studio, the Mundo Pixar Experience allows you to step inside your favourite Pixar stories, from Toy Story and Finding Nemo to Inside Out and Coco, along with many more. You’ll find this window to another world in Wembley.