Covent Garden
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Market
Covent Garden is an area of London centered on a popular covered market in the heart of London. Once a monks' convent garden in the 13th century, it quickly developed into a fruit and vegetable market for the city, was redeveloped in 1630 by the Earl of Bedford to be ringed by fashionable residences modeled on Italian piazzas, then became a center for theater and opera. Today the covered market building is a home to shops selling gourmet and specialist foods and souvenirs. The Royal Opera House remains located in Covent Garden, and the piazza area is long famous for its street performers.
Within the wider area known as Covent Garden are many more theaters and a wonderful tangle of narrow streets full of some of London's best shops. Floral Street, Long Acre, Shorts Gardens, Neal Street and Mercer Street have some of London's best and most diverse shopping, leading towards the area Seven Dials, where seven streets converge.
Latest Reviews
Review by Cajun Cruise Couple, May 2013
Doing what: The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off
We had limited time in London, and this was certainly the way to see a lot in that time. I really enjoy all the information that the audio portion includes, and the guide on the yellow line was very entertaining. Just gave my Viator voucher to a ticket seller at the Russell Square start point and they printed out our tickets - no problem! Highly Recommended
Review by Susan S, May 2013
Doing what: The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off
Very good and enjoyed it all including the river trip. Our grandson loved being on the top of the open air bus
Review by Vinayen C, Mauritius, May 2013
Doing what: The Original London Sightseeing Tour: Hop-on Hop-off
It was my last day in London and I had booked the tour two days back. In 5 hours, I have already visited and learned a lot about London. It was very exciting as I was free to stop and go wherever I want and to travel back by the double decker bus. During that day we started from Piccadilly circus and visited the Big Ben and Parliament, The London Eye, St Paul Cathedral, the London Bridge, The Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The Buckingham Palace etc... I also enjoyed the free Thames River Cruise between Westminster and Tower Bridge
Practical Info
Covent Garden tube station is right in the heart of this district - be warned, it can get very crowded on weekends. Coming out of the station, you can either head down to the market and piazza area or into the delightful small surrounding streets.
