Find the Best Things to Do in Covent Garden
By Emma Wallis
About Covent Garden
Covent Garden has an association with trade from Saxon times. For centuries it was a monastery's market garden, which evolved into a fruit and vegetable market. In the seventeenth century it was London's first Italian style piazza and became a mecca for shopping and entertainment in the twentieth century.
See & Do
Covent Garden is best known for its association with Theatreland, and there must be more theatres in a square mile than in any other part of London. Comics and clowns also have a long association with the area, particularly drury lane, and the National Transport Museum is located in Covent Garden Piazza when you've had enough of shopping and eating. Basically there are loads of things to do here no chance of getting bored.
Eat
You can eat your way around the world just within the confines of London's Covent Garden. Food for Thought is an established vegetarian restaurant whose menu changes daily and is always busy and delicious. Bill's provides laid back brunch, lunch and dinner for the cool crowd, and Hawksmoor more pricey meaty moments for those who like their chefs of the celebrity variety. Food stalls, sandwich bars and coffee shops also abound.
Party
The Lamb and Flag pub is Covent Garden's oldest pub. It's been around since the 17th century, when it used to have a back room which was known as the bucket of blood, as it was the site for bare knuckle boxing. Today it has a slightly more genteel image but is still a bustling and fun place to be. Great for a drink in the evening after work.
Stay
The Covent Garden Hotel works hard at its boutique flavour. Cool decor and homely interiors creates a haven from the bustle outside. If you're at home in Theatreland, you'll be in your element here, just step outside and most of London's biggest theatres are quite literally on your doorstep. Classic films are screened every Saturday in the hotel's very own cinema, now can you get any more boutique than that?
Shop
Covent Garden has always been a trading post, from Saxon times onwards. It started its modern life as a market garden, evolving into a fruit and vegetable market. By the 20th century, it was redeveloped again, becoming a mecca for shopping. Designer boutiques and independent shops its trademark. Great for browsing and present buying. It sells everything from clothes to jewellery to bespoke chocolates, soap and toys.