Located in the West End, Covent Garden is certainly not the most typical district of London but it is the tourist heart of the capital where there are many shops, thirteen theaters, and more than 60 pubs and bars. A bustling place, Covent Garden is the only part of London where street performances are allowed.
One of the best times to visit Covent Garden is in December when the Christmas decorations and lights are set up. A huge Christmas tree and a giant silver reins stand on either side of the covered market.
Covent Garden covered market
Covent Garden Market is a place steeped in history. In the Middle Ages were the gardens of the convent (hence the name of the place, derived from convent, convent, and garden, garden) where the monks sold the products of their vegetable garden.
In the 1666th century, Covent Garden became a fruit, vegetable and flower market which was held every day until the Great Fire of XNUMX which destroyed it overnight.
A new market was subsequently rebuilt and became the capital's main supply center, but quickly cramped, it was moved in 1974 to Nine Elms in the south of London.
Renovated in 1980, the Piazza now houses restaurants, fashion boutiques, souvenir shops and markets.
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The covered market located in the heart of the pedestrianized central square, is one of the most famous in the capital, and a must-visit all year round. Indeed, it is regularly decorated on the occasion of the Christmas, Halloween or in the spring.
The central building houses a craft market called Apple Market made up of 40 stalls with antiques, crafts, souvenirs, clothes. This is the perfect place to find gifts.
Business hours :
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 00 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 00 p.m.
Opposite the iconic Covent Garden Market is the Jubilee Market, offering a wide variety of eclectic items. Monday is dedicated to antiques, from Tuesday to Friday the souvenir stands take over and on Saturday the craft stands take over the premises.
Business hours :
Monday: 5:00 a.m. - 17:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. - 19:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 00 p.m.
Shopping in Covent Garden
Covent Garden is the must-see district for shopping where there are many designer boutiques, luxury boutiques but also many unusual stores.
Stroll the alleys around Covent Garden, such as Floral Street, Long Acres, Shorts Gardens, Seven Dials and Neal's Yard.
If you are looking for typical English brands, here is a selection:
Beauty : Charlotte Tilbury, Molton Brown
Jewelry: Monica Vinader
Toys: Benjamin Pollock's
leather : Mulberry, Radley
Fashion : Burberry, Dr Martens, Hackett, Paul Smith, Ted Baker
Stationery : Paperchase
Perfumery : Jo Malone, Miller Harris, Penhaligon's
Thé : Whittard of Chelsea
Neal's Yard a charming hidden alleyway in Covent Garden
This pretty, colorful pedestrian square is a haven of peace where there are vegetarian restaurants and organic produce stores. If you want a little peace, come and sit on a bench to soak up the atmosphere.
Visit the transport museum
Le transport museum de Londres presents the evolution of London transport, from the first horse-drawn omnibuses to the modern underground. This interactive and fun museum is a real family success where you can board the old metro and bus trains or even try a driving simulator.
The transport museum is located in the former flower hall and offers a large exhibition area spread over three levels where fans of vintage vehicles, families and children will find a center of interest.
Bon plan! Entrance to the transport museum is free for all young people under the age of 18 !!
Book on Visit Britain
London Film Museum: James Bond racing cars
Through the “Bond in Motion” exhibition, the museum presents the most important collection of original vehicles used in the James Bond films, from the Rolls Royce Phantom III by Goldfinger to the scale model of the AgustaWestland helicopter in Skyfall. by the famous Aston Martin DB5.
London FilmMuseum is for free for children under 5 years old.
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Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House, also called Covent Garden, is one of the best opera houses in the world. This legendary hall, founded in 1732, has hosted the most prestigious Royal Ballet and Royal Opera since 1946. It includes a 2-seat auditorium renowned for the quality of its acoustics.
Free concerts are often given on Mondays and guided tours Backstage, stage and rehearsal rooms are provided daily.
Address : Royal Opéra House Bow St, London WC2E 9DD
St Paul's Church
Built in the XNUMXth century, St Paul is a Tuscan-style church with sober looks and harmonious proportions. It is nicknamed “the church of the actors” because of its association with the theatrical community and regularly hosts concerts.
Address : Bedford Street, Covent Garden
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Leicester Square
Leicester Square hosts a Swiss carillon donated in 1985 by Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the City of Westminster on its 400th anniversary. It includes eleven animated figurines that evolve in a setting reminiscent of the Swiss peaks, the coats of arms of the 26 cantons, 27 bells and 4 statuettes in folk costume representing the 4 linguistic regions.
Leicester Square is a pedestrianized square lined with cinemas, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and shops.
Among the major brands to see there are:
The biggest Lego magazine in the world with a total area of ​​914m² which presents in real size a metro car, a telephone booth or a brick reconstruction of Tower Bridge, a Mini Cooper and parliament with Big Ben; to name only the most popular.
A visit that will amaze the whole family who can even take a picture of themselves inside the wagon!
Address : 3 Swiss Ct, London W1D 6AP
M & M's World London's largest candy store where you can choose your favorite color or flavor on the world's largest chocolate wall.
Bon plan! With London Pass you benefit from a 15% reduction on all your purchases by presenting your card.
Address : 1 Leicester Square, Swiss Ct
TWG tea presents the largest collection of whole leaf teas in the world with over 800 varieties from individual harvests and proprietary tea blends.
This luxury tea brand is served in large hotels such as the Ritz.
Address : 48 Leicester Square
Also in Leicester Square is the TKTS kiosk which offers discounted tickets for overnight or overnight shows with discounts of 25-50%. A good plan to have seats at the best price.
Covent Garden: the neighborhood to go to see a musical!
London is the European capital of musical comedy and the district of Covent Garden brings together many theaters which makes it the English “Broadway”! Going to see a musical is a must if you want to enjoy London's nightlife and discover extraordinary staging.
For more information read the following articles:
-> Musicals: your tickets at the best price!
-> The best musicals to see in London
-> Thriller the musical tribute to Michael Jackson
Map: What to visit in Covent Garden?
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