If you are planning a Stranger Things West End theatre trip this year, having a London weekend itinerary is crucial to make the most of your visit. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in London weekend times that mean that you definitely won’t be bored.
What Is Stranger Things: The First Shadow in London’s West End?
The Stranger Things West End show, called “Stranger Things: The First Shadow”, is a must see for any die hard fan, or anyone who simply loves some truly extraordinary theatre. This thrilling performance is currently taking spring bookings and will be open for most of the year, with tickets available through May 31st, 2026. The show includes flashing lights, haze, loud sound effects, strong language, and even explosions to bring the performance together and create something unforgettable.
For those unfamiliar, this Stranger Things experience is a prequel to the series we all know and love, and takes place in Hawkins, Indiana, in 1959. Here, the earlier lives of some iconic characters like Joyce Maldonado, Jim Hopper, and Henry Creel are all explored in a mesmerising sequence that foreshadows the events of the series.
We won’t include any spoilers, but you can expect something amazing. Be prepared for a set design that will blow you away, illusion techniques that immerse you, and a cast that will make you want to experience it over and over again.
When Should I Book Tickets to Get the Best Seats and Prices?
Book tickets as soon as you can, as places are likely to run out! Due to the popularity of the performance, we encourage you to check trustworthy sites for tickets and secure a spot well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tickets start from £35.00 (subject to a transaction fee of £3.80) for the most basic seats, though standard seating will be significantly higher. Bookings can be made up until Sunday May 31st, 2026, with performance times including 13:00, 15:00, and 19:00 slots.
Is Stranger Things Suitable for Families?
Stranger Things is suitable for families with children around and above the age of 12. This recommendation has been put in place due to what the production involves (listed below), and its runtime, so be mindful about this when booking tickets. Overall, families will have a fantastic time with this production, and is definitely something that fans will want to get in on.
Key points to consider:
- Loud sounds
- Flashing lights
- Strong language
- 12+ age recommendation
- Roughly three hour runtime (including an interval)
- Under-16s should be accompanied by an adult
How Do I Plan a Weekend Trip to See Stranger Things in London?
If you want to put a plan in place to make your trip to see the Stranger Things West End performance go smoothly, we would encourage you to plan ahead and book everything well in advance. Determine how you are going to get to London if you don’t live in the area, which hotel you will stay at, and the route you can take from your hotel to the theatre.
Not only that, but put an itinerary together for what you can spend the rest of your visit doing! Decide where to visit when you aren’t in the theatre, where you want to eat (and make reservations if necessary), and book any tours you want to experience. London has so much to enjoy.
Time Before and After the Show? Options to Fill the Weekend
The Stranger Things show is only around three hours long, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of London when you aren’t in the theatre. Depending on when you are visiting, you can visit stunning rooftop bars, go for walks along the Thames in the summer, and do any number of things to turn your trip into a memorable escape.
There are lots of free things to do around the city, including free museums and galleries, and heading to the numerous historical markets, ice skating, and festive spots in the area during winter. You can even make time for a West End show if you are on a business trip to the city—or enjoy the performance as part of a special celebration like an anniversary, graduation, or birthday.
We encourage anyone visiting for the Stranger Things theatre performance to also:
- Explore the parks and gardens
- Visit the free museums and galleries
- Book some guided tours to historical locations
- Head to some iconic eating and drinking spots
Where Should I Stay for Easy Access to the Phoenix Theatre?
Crown Group’s very own Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Hotel Cavendish, and Arran House Hotel are only about a 12-minute walk from the Phoenix Theatre’s front doors, or a 13-minute bus ride that will practically take you to the doorstep. Getting to the theatre couldn’t possibly be any easier.
Mabledon Court Hotel sits further to the north, and is still only a short distance away from the Phoenix Theatre on foot, by car, or via public transport. On foot, you can be on the doorstep of the theatre in under half an hour, while a bus or train will take approximately 20 minutes. If you are in a rush, but still want to experience the city, a bicycle will cut the journey down to just under 10 minutes—making the theatre easily accessible to everyone.
Our Hatton Garden Hotel is located more eastwards, and still offers easy access to the Phoenix Theatre for visitors. The walk from our doorstep to the theatre is under half an hour, the train is approximately 16 minutes, and a car or bus will take just under 30 minutes.
Further away, Great St. Helen Hotel sits at a comfortable 30-minute train or car ride, a 15-minute cycle, or roughly an hour’s walk. Whichever hotel you choose to stay at, the Phoenix Theatre is not far away—making us the perfect option for your Stranger Things West End trip.
What Are the Best Transport Options for a West End Weekend?
The best transport options for when you visit London to enjoy a Stranger Things West End weekend come down to where you are staying. When you stay at Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Hotel Cavendish, or Arran House Hotel, walking will be the perfect option, as the theatre is just down the road from these lovely hotels.
To get to the theatre from Hatton Garden Hotel and Great St Helen Hotel, take the Tube at Chancery Lane and Liverpool Street Station, respectively, to Tottenham Court Road.
To recap, these are your best transport options at our various hotels:
- Bloomsbury Palace Hotel – walk to the theatre (under 15 minutes)
- Hotel Cavendish – walk to the theatre (under 15 minutes)
- Arran House Hotel – walk to the theatre (under 15 minutes)
- Hatton Garden Hotel – Tube from Chancery Lane to Tottenham Court Road
- Great St Helen Hotel – Tube from Liverpool Street Station to Tottenham Court Road
Stay With Crown Group of Hotels and be Transported to Hawkins
Off to enjoy Stranger Things London? Get West End show tickets as soon as you can, and make an itinerary to make the most of your visit to London. Experience Stranger Things West End from the comfort of Crown Group’s hotels, and rest easy knowing that you will have somewhere comfortable and peaceful to lay your head after a long and exciting day.
Ready to turn Hawkins into your next London travel adventure? Contact us and book your ideal stay with Crown Group of Hotels and enjoy comfort, style and unbeatable access to London’s West End theatre district.
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