Covent Garden, in London, is a place where hustle and spectacle are everyday life, and where theatre reigns supreme, with the prestigious Royal Opera House, one of the most important opera houses in the world, followed closely by many others. To the east of Soho and Piccadilly, Covent Garden remains one of the main attractions for tourists and Londoners alike, excellently served by the underground (stations Covent Garden, Charing Cross, Leicester Square, or Piccadilly, for those who want to take a stroll) and other public transport.
Covent Garden daily offers the spectacle of the former covered market, which from the mid-16th century until 1974 was the site of an important fruit and vegetable market, with the beautiful structure still standing, supported by a system of arcades in Palladian style. Instead of razing the old markets to the ground to build new shopping galleries, as the Parisians did with Les Halles, Londoners chose to preserve this important piece of history and culture, filling it with new energy, a galaxy of local spots, pubs, small restaurants, specialized little shops, stalls, and boutiques with incredible goods.
Besides the bustling outdoor square, the neighborhood’s streets are full of character: James Street, Long Acre, Neil Street, where small shops, artisans’ studios, and designers’ ateliers thrive. Museums also abound, such as the London’s Transport Museum housed in the former flower market, in a beautiful Victorian-style complex.
And then there is St. Paul Church, the actors’ church (1633), the first Anglican church built after the Protestant Reformation. Beyond the daily entertainment offered by musicians, jugglers, and unimaginable street artists, Covent Garden also hosts festivals and regular events throughout the year, such as the Flower Festival in June or the Street Theatre Festival in September.
