Charing Cross Theatre

The Charing Cross Theatre sits right in the heart of London's West End, tucked away on the Strand where you'd almost walk past it if you weren't looking. It's a proper working theatre - 250 seats, intimate enough that you actually feel the performance rather than watching it from the cheap seats of a sprawling auditorium.

What makes it tick is that it programmes a mix of new work, revivals, and limited runs that the big theatres won't touch. Think musicals you've heard whispers about, plays that have already done well elsewhere and deserve a longer life, comedy that's sharp enough to make you wince. The shows rotate fairly regularly, so what's on when you visit depends entirely on timing - it's worth checking their website before you plan around it.

This is for theatre-goers who know what they like and aren't after the blockbuster tourist experience. Families with older kids who can sit still will manage fine; anyone under ten will probably get restless. Ticket prices sit somewhere between West End premium and fringe bargain, which feels fair for the location and production quality.

If you're staying at nearby Lovat Parks, you're well positioned to catch an evening show - it's a quick tube or taxi ride in. Allow three hours total (pre-show wander, the performance itself). Book ahead rather than turning up on spec, especially for the shows that have already built a following. Summer can be quiet as audiences scatter on holiday, so autumn and winter are your better bets.