ABOUT COVENT GARDEN
Covent Garden is one of the West End of Londons top cultural tourist attractions and is the home of the Royal Opera House. The area is to the east of Leicester Square bordering The Strand and Aldwych and is centred around Longacre. A favourite time to visit Covent Garden is Sundays when there are street performers and the craft markets. Close to Covent Garden underground is Neal Street and for fashion shoe shoppers its an essential visit.
Street performers, theatreland, incredible architecture, markets, shops, pubs, restaurants, bars, cafes, Covent Garden is just one big adventure.
Located in the West End, Covent Garden, originally named ´Convent Garden´, is bordered by High Holborn, Charing Cross Road, Kingsway and The Strand. You can get there by jumping out at Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross or Embankment tube stations.
There so much to see in Covent Garden with many of the city's greatest landmarks all within walking distance of each other. Just a few of the many are the Adelphi Theatre, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The British Museum, the Photographers Gallery, London's Transport Museum, Seven Dials and The Royal Opera House.
Many of Britain's, and Europe's, most renowned theatres also reside in Covent Garden. From classic operas at the Royal Opera House to modern theatre elsewhere, the theatres of the West End are at your fingertips. And, to add a little mystery and history to the experience, most of the theatres have a resident ghost. Listen out for Henry VIII´s mother-in-law singing at midnight during summer in the Royal Opera House and the ´woman in black´ who likes to make her presence known in Russell Street. William Terriss, a famous actor of the late 19th century, was murdered outside the Adelphi Theatres´ stage door and is said to haunt Covent Garden underground station.
The glittering lights and stardom of Covent Garden's theatres is an experience that matches no other.
Hotels near to Covent Garden are plentiful and we offer many discounted rates. If you are coming to see a show then you may want to consider a London theatre break package which can save you money.
Concerts are also regularly played by candlelight in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church located in Covent Garden Square and the Social Care Centre, part of the Church, is an important group supporting the homeless of London.
The ´Piazza´ is the heartbeat of Covent Garden. The atmosphere is always fantastic with street performers entertaining participating crowds daily from 10 in the morning till 8 at night. The infamous Punch & Judy's pub sits in the square and its balcony overlooks the Piazza. On a sunny day, it's such a laugh to sip on a pint, chill out on the balcony and enjoy the festivities below.
The markets within Covent Garden square are probably the biggest draw-card. The famous and beautiful building of Jubilee Market Hall, Covent Garden Market, was once a fresh fruit and vegetable market until it moved to Nine Elms, but it remains today a fabulous market hall offering everything from clothes, food, paintings, antiques and home-ware with traders calling the best prices for everything. The atmosphere at Jubilee Market Hall is, and always will be electric and it is a vital part of Covent Garden. The Apple Market is also in the square, offering a ridiculous amount of goodies to buy. Your visit to Covent Garden is not complete without spending time browsing the markets. Both are so much fun to explore.
And shopping? It is a shop-a-holics dream (or nightmare). The clothes, shoes, food, gifts, books, greeting cards, nick-nacks ´n´ bits & bobs....even a fabulous kite shop - a Covent Garden shopping experience stands out from the rest.
- Antiques: The Apple and Jubilee markets every Monday
- General Crafts and food: The Apple and Jubilee Markets Tuesday to Friday
- Crafts: every Saturday and Sunday
- Theatre Museum is Tuesday to Sunday
- Royal Opera House backstage tours are available Monday to Saturday
- Photographers Gallery is open 7 days a week
- Somerset House is open 7 days a week.
- There are more than 70 restaurants around Covent Garden
- Car Parking - forget it!
- The Royal Opera House box office sells tickets Monday to Saturday until 8pm
- The London Eye is only 1500 metres from Covent Garden
Covent Garden is easily accessible from most areas of Central London. The undergound station at Covent Garden is located 100 metres from the Piazza on Longacre is is in Zone 1. Simply exit the Station and walk down James Street. The line is the Piccadilly, so access from as far away as South Kensington (Gloucester Road) and Earls Court is an easy and direct 10 minute journey.
If you are driving then there is a secure underground car park at Bloomsbury Square to the north of Covent Garden and about a 10 minute walk.
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