Covent Garden is one of London's more famous 'markets', selling antiques, arts & crafts and other knic-knacs, but a lot more goes on here than mere shopping. The biggest draw for tourist are the many buskers: from juggling, to knife throwing, to improvisation comedy, or even classical music and opera singing - all free! The atmosphere is most alive from midday to late evening.
The more light hearted and traditional busking skills take place on the cobbled piazza in front of St Paul's Church (The Actor's Church) - generally 10:30am to 7pm - a place highly prized by buskers, and here the entertainment provided is far from amateur, and best of all it is free! However, it is traditional once the act has finished to make a contribution, if you enjoyed watching the show then remember to drop some coins in the collection box (traditionally a hat).
There a plenty of places to eat in Covent Garden, from expensive restaurants to pub meals, from cafes to food stalls. On a hot summers day, a pleasant place to relax and eat sandwiches in the churchyard/garden of St Paul's Church. There are plenty of pubs in Covent Garden, one of the most famous being "The Punch and Judy" named after the very first ever performed Punch and Judy show that took place in Covent Garden in the mid 17th century. The pub has an upstairs balcony which overlooks Covent Garden Piazza, making it a great place to view the street performances.
Covent Garden (originally Convent Garden), takes its name from the fact it was once land belonging to the ancient order of Benedictine's monks of St Peter's Westminster, founded in the 10th century. With the dissolution of the monsateries by Henry VIII the land passed into the hands of the monarchy. The modern history of Covent Garden begins in the 1630's when Inigo Jones designed St Paul's Church, a piazza and a public market square. It was one of the first experiments in London town planning, and the creation of the first public square in the country. After the Great fire of London, Covent Garden became London's main Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market.
Throughout the 18th & 19th century Covent Garden became known as a centre for London's criminal underworld and acquired an extremely dubious reputation. It is here that George Bernard Shaw has Professor Higgins meets the 'common' street flower seller "Eliza Doolittle" in his comedy "Pygmalion" (Musical: My Fair Lady.)
The Fruit, Veg and Flower market was relocated to Nine Elms in 1973 leaving Covent Garden a ghost town of empty market buildings and numerous vacant premises. Planners wanted to knock down the buildings designed by Inigo Jones, but a vigourous campaign by local residents saved the market, and in 1980 the market was renovated and turned into a leisure area and its stalls now sell antiques, arts & crafts and other knic-knacs.
Opening Times
Open all year round
Market stalls open from 10am - 6pm daily.
Address:
Covent Garden
Covent Garden Piazza,
London WC2
Nearest Tube Station:
Covent Garden and Leicester Square
Note: Tourists often take the underground from Leicester Square Tube Station to Covent Garden Tube Station, but it is faster, and easier on the legs, to walk the short distance.
External Links
In and Around Covent Garden Magazine website
Covent Garden Street Performers Website
Note: This site takes a few moments to load properly, please be patient.
St Paul's The Actor's Church Website
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