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Perhaps the greatest attraction of Covent Garden is the absence of cars. In this traffic-free zone, you can content yourself with simply wandering around in the relaxed atmosphere of the piazza, watching on as the street performers entertain you with their various talents such as juggling, mime and music. This is the only area of London where such artists are licensed to perform, so it really is the only place to see them.
Continue your exploring in the famous Covent Garden market. Originally home to the largest fruit and vegetable market in England, nowadays it showcases quaint little craft shops and cafes. In the Apple and Jubilee markets, Mondays play host to antiques, Tuesday to Friday offers crafts, clothes and food, whilst the weekends signal the arrival of the hand-made craft fair.
One attraction that simply must not be missed during a visit to Covent Garden is the Royal Opera House, showcasing ballet, dance, opera and music.
Also worth a look is the extremely interesting London Transport Museum, which gives the visitor a history of transport in London from Victorian times up until the present day.
Our tip: Take the weight off your feet with a short rest in the idyllic churchyard of St Paul’s Church.
From the West: Head down Piccadilly towards Piccadilly Circus. Bear left onto Shaftesbury Avenue, then take the first right onto Charing Cross Road. Take the second left onto Long Acre. Continue along this road for a few hundred yards until you reach Covent Garden on your left.
From the East: Head down High Holborn Road, and take the left turn at Holborn Tube Station to join Kingsway. Take the second right onto Great Queen Street and follow this road until you reach Covent Garden on your right.
For satellite navigation systems enter postcode WC2.
Nearest NCP Pay and Display car park: London Drury Lane, WC2B 5NT
Buses on these routes stop at Cambridge Circus bus station near Covent Garden:
Day: 1,3,8, 12, 14, 19, 24, 25, 29, 38, 55, 88, 98, 134, 176, 242, 390
Night: N1, N3, N5, N8, 12, 14, N18, N19, N20, 24, 25, N29, N35, N38, N41, N55, N68, 88, N97, N98, 134, N136, N171, 176, 242, N253, N279, 390
Nearest station: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)
From Kings Cross/St. Pancras: Take the Piccadilly Line southbound straight to Covent Garden (3 stops).
From Paddington: Take the Circle Line southbound to South Kensington (5 stops). Change to the Piccadilly Line northbound for Covent Garden (6 stops).
From Victoria: Take the Victoria line northbound to Green Park (1 stop). Change to the Piccadilly Line northbound for Covent Garden (3 stops).
Nearest overground rail station: Charing Cross
