Leicester Square - which statues are visible during ice skating and other events

 I had just got excited by the idea of being photographed sitting on a bench next to Mr Bean in Leicester Square, when I read in the Times newspaper that the ice skating  facility will be renewed for another two years, despite objections including the fact that access to statue landmarks will be restricted.

In order to plan my next visit and inform others I asked Gemini to clarify. Of course, I shall need to check the locations of statues and the dates of events, before going to see the statues for myself and posing with them.

Charlie Chaplin statue in Leicester Square. 

Here's what Gemini told me in response to my question at the start.

In Leicster Square which statues such as Shakespeare and Mr Bean will be seen or not seen on which dates when the ice skating and other events take place in leicester swuare

During major seasonal events in Leicester Square—most notably the winter festivities, which feature Skate Leicester Square and the surrounding Christmas market (running from late October / early November through early January)—the layout of the square changes dramatically, affecting which statues remain visible and accessible.

Visible Statues During Events

• William Shakespeare Fountain: Located right at the central point of the Leicester Square gardens, the Shakespeare fountain remains fully visible, though it is incorporated into the backdrop of the event enclosure. Twinkling lights, market chalets, or the ice rink infrastructure surround the base, but the central statue itself stays in place [cite: 1.2.2].

• Perimeter Statues (e.g., Batman, Wonder Woman, Mary Poppins): Elevated or wall-mounted statues around the edges of Leicester Square (such as Batman on the cinema roof or Mary Poppins near the trees) remain visible at all times throughout the year because they sit outside the ground-level event footprint [cite: 1.3.2].

Hidden or Restrictively Accessible Statues

• Mr. Bean: Located on a bench inside the gardens, Mr. Bean is part of the interactive Scenes in the Square trail [cite: 1.3.1]. During event setups, ground-level bench statues (including Mr. Bean and Paddington Bear) may be temporarily fenced off within ticketed event zones (such as the ice rink enclosure or festive bar/stall areas) or obstructed by temporary structures. While they are usually not physically removed, general public walk-up access and photo opportunities can be restricted or require entry into the event space during opening hours [cite: 1.2.1].

Key Dates for Event Setup & Impact

• Winter Events / Ice Rink Setup: Late October to Early January (e.g., Skate Leicester Square runs from October 31 through January 3) [cite: 1.1.3]. Ground access inside the central garden area is restricted to event attendees or ticket holders during this period [cite: 1.2.1].

• Restoration of Full Public Access: Mid-January. Once the ice rink, chalets, and temporary fencing are fully dismantled, unrestricted ground access to all bench-level statues returns.

• Film Premieres & Red Carpet Events: Occurring sporadically throughout the year, temporary barriers around the perimeter red carpet zone block immediate access to specific ground statues for a few hours on event days, though perimeter statues remain visible from afar.

 You need to check the facts for yourself regarding whatever date and time interests you.

-ends-

Useful Websites

Current details

https://leicestersquare.london/

History and photos of statues

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_Square

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Where To See Popular, Traditional, Modern, Serious, Humorous, and Minority Interest Statues And Monuments

Mr Bean at Leicester Square.
 

Popular Statues

Mr Bean is not a has-been. His videos are loved worldwide. In Singapore when I was teaching my pupils loved videos of him attempting to cheat in exams.

UK Royalty

In the UK statues of Royalty and peers are in London, Nelson's Column in Traflagar Square, Piccadilly, and inside and outside cathedrals and city squares. 

UK Royalty Worldwide

Queen Victoria's statue is in squares worldwide.

Kings, Queens and Bishops are in central squares. Royalty and Presidents are outside Parliament buildings.

Belgium

Famous mythological characters and animals, cherubs and children include Belgium's Mannekin Pis.

Outside parliament and municipal buildings you will find city founders.

Jewish, Spain & Arabic Maimonides

The seated statue of Maimonides commemorates the writer of The Guide For The Perplexed. Maimonides was Jewish, but wrote in Arabic. He left Christian Spain and became the revered physician for a Moslem ruler. He is revered by Arabs and Moslems in several countries as well as by Jews.

Moslem India & The Taj Mahal

Because of the taboo against worshipping statues in the bible, Islamic countries and those with Islamic rulers and communities do not have statues. Instead they have buildings and monuments named after those they wish to commemorate. For example, the Taj Mahal, built by the widower to commemorate his beloved wife in India.

The USA and Pocahontas

No Rain in Spain, But England, Enjoys Rain Everywhere, Mary Poppins Umbrella Statue, Umbrella Shops & Umbrella Repair

 I don't know about rain in Spain on the plain. But I get rain wverywhere. Rain fals and makes trees and grass grow. So you get rain and wonderful scenery and waterfalls aon the side of the mountains with the most rain. So there's rain in Ireland, the Emerald Isle. Rain in the Lake District of England. Rain in Wales - hence the book title How green was my valley. Sunny places may be sandy, although you get plam trees on beaches offering welcoming shade (They dangerously drop coconut as they get larger in the season). Also cork trees in Portugal.

London is also Green, hence Green Park near Buckingham Palace. In London you will find umbrellas sold everywhere, in department stores, supermarkets, popular shops.

People come to London to buy umbrellas and get umbrellas repaired at the James Smith shop. 

In leafy London on a sunny day you can photograph the statue of Mary Poppins with her umbrella in a green corner of Leicester Square.

Mary poppins Statue, Leicester Square London. From Wikipedia.

Singapore Shopping Sheltering Rain-free

In Singapore you can buy umbrellas. It tends to rain in the afternoon. All day in rainy season. To escape the rain, when it's hard to get a taxi, yuo can go into the underground streets of shops along Orchard road from Orchard station in the centre, as far as Somerset station. You can walk along Basement one or Basement two. See the fountains at Basement level under the Ngee Ann city building containg Japanese Takshimaya department store.

Or take the train to Little India where you can spend all day in the multi storey Mustafas' department store which is open 24 hours and sells everything from umbrellas and suitcases to food, clothes for all seasons and all sizes and gold jewellery.