Covent Garden

Covent Garden isn't all about plants and flowers, rather, it's a piazza and a collection of urban streets boasting numerous upscale stores as well as bars, restaurants, art installations, and more. Covent Garden is one of the most vibrant parts of London. It is known for its lively markets, street performers, and world-class cultural attractions. In 1630, the Earl of Bedford was given permission to demolish buildings on an area of land he owned north of the Strand for redevelopment. The result was the Covent Garden Piazza - the first formal square in London. In other words, it's a bustling neighborhood within London's West End. Shops range from famous trademarks like Ralph Lauren and Mulberry to independent brands. In addition to conventional shops and boutiques, Covent Garden has a covered market area where vendors sell everything from antiques to crafts. Similarly, dining options range from foodie destinations like Sushi Samba and Balthazar to casual pubs. Given Covent Garden's open-air orientation, there are appropriately more than 1,000 seats for al fresco dining. Covent Garden is also home to the Royal Opera House. Even if you're unable (or disinclined) to see an opera, you can tour the lavishly appointed Royal Opera House.

A hybrid of American shops and local spots, Covent Garden area is fun to explore and walk around the parameters for a bit of fun including the adjacent flea market featuring tons of vendors. During the holiday season they have a massive christmas tree that is fully decorated for viewing and they have so many fun holiday bars and pop-ups surrounding Covent Garden. When you enter the grand hall, we were welcomed by these massive bells suspended in the air. We also saw a few stations with mulled wine and drinks available to sip and enjoy. Depending on the shops and eats you swing by it can be super reasonable or a bit pricey. I thought it was a bit funny to see so many Americans flock towards Five Guys and Shake Shack but that's just me. If you're in need of perfume or cologne, even makeup, there's a few shops around here to take care of you too.

About 20 Tina Turner dresses on display for view and enjoyment. "Proud Mary" dress (in gold with detailed beads in foreground).used on her famous Ed Sullivan show appearance. Wonderful surprise

A nice center for a rest and snack while the family shops for books and an extra suitcase to take the shopping home. This area was on my bucket list to check out on this trip to London. Great service and fair prices.

Cool area with all kinds of touristy shops, food,'and outdoor performers. The architecture was impressive and while it had many visitors, it didn't feel cheap.

Covent Garden is a wonderful destination of upscale shops and restaurants. Much less crazy than Piccadilly Circus which lives up to its name. This shopping district has plenty to see with nice shops and superb variety . We found coffee here with one of the local chains, a man who sang in the courtyard of wine shops, and stores from trinkets, jewelry, candy and toys.

Covent Garden is a great center point for your London trip! It's in a central part of the city near many of the most accessible and popular hotels. This is made especially clear by how busy the tube station is here. If you need to get off the tube in Covent Garden, it's a great idea to stop either one spot before or after to avoid the horrific tube crowds (and the lack of escalator in the station). Covent Garden has an American feel, especially with the giant Shake Shack in the center of the mall. But, there are still London local shops too. The area in Covent Garden is lively, but I like it so much better than Piccadilly Circus, which is covered in ads and feels much more Times Square.

Covent Garden is a nice shopping and entertainment center in London's West End. It's known for its fun atmosphere, street performers, shops, and restaurants. Great boutique shopping. Hugo Boss, Lululemon, Micheal Kors, Vans and more, sprinkled in with some of Londons nice specialty stores. Nice selection of restaurants and pubs. The Apple market has local booths and vendors as well as a nice wine bar with live performers singing opera.

All the big American chain stores appear to be here - Sketchers, Mac, Lacoste, 5 Guys, Lululemon, Shake Shack ... much more expensive than they are in the states. A charming indoor crafts market with restaurants, nothing is particularly unique. Street performers were playing music, doing magic & telling jokes too. The tube station here is very busy.

Shopping, food and entertainment! Glad I passed through the area... everything I needed in one place!

What a beautiful space filled with art, cafes, shops, and restaurants. It's open-air but with a roof so shelter here during rain. Bathrooms that cost one pound to use are on the bottom floor. If you enjoy art, walk to Jubilee Market next door.

lots of restaurants, shops, markets and live performers on the street. Can spend a whole afternoon here

Came by the other day with high hopes and was somewhat surprised that is was merely a few blocks! Managed to purchase a small wallet from a vendor and it was quick and easy. Payment was done via NFC card. There were a few food stalls along with luxury Swiss watch boutiques, although apparently I wasn't welcome to shop inside it?!?

If part of your London experience includes partaking in some "retail therapy," then we'd recommend that you give Covent Garden Market a go. The shoppes in and around it range from a farmers market to high end retail, with everything in between. Street performers are throughout and supplement the atmosphere. It would be difficult to imagine a better time to visit than the holidays, whether you shop or just browse. While retail therapy isn't my particular cup of tea, a visit here is definitely worth a few hours of your time. And that's...Henry's Take. #londoncoventgardenmarket

Went here for Xmas shopping while in London. Im totally over Herrods, and this place is really charming. Its intimate, quaint, and has something for everyone. Small shops, outside, food courts. Boutique and large chains are all present, and its a great holiday place. Close to some great restaurants, nice courtyard, and the holiday decorations were really great. Food court has good options, but you do have to pay to use the LOO...so be prepared for that. Its smart, keeps it clean and there's an attendant. When I think of shopping in London, I really want to come here from now on.

You've undoubtedly heard its name before. Hell, you've probably even seen it several times before, in movies and TV shows, even if you've never had the chance to visit. One of my wife's favorite (yet critically panned) holiday movies, "Last Christmas", spent much of its runtime situated in a fictional Christmas gift shop here. But the magic of Covent Garden is a very real thing, and absolutely begs exploration into its myriad wonders. The actual, core Covent Garden market building, and surrounding piazza, is a dense, labyrinthine, multi-leveled, glass-ceilinged bazaar, loaded to the gills with souvenirs, clothing, accessories, with several restaurants and cafes tucked away in its corners and crevices. The entire places seethes with activity; shoppers of all kinds, from locals to tourists, pass between its vaulted pillars, to and fro, with the pulsing rhythm of a manic heartbeat. High end, name brand purveyors of posh goods complete with home-spun, hand-crafted wares, candies and confections. And all of this greedy, gluttonous, mercantile mayhem happens in the shadow of a humble church, where over-stimulated souls can seek refuge from the chaos and clamor just outside its doors. The sprawl of Covert Garden spreads its tendrils far beyond the boundaries of the former vegetable market itself, but the magic mentioned above happens only at its heart. For first time visitors, or those looking to relive the nostalgia, be prepared for the crowds, but even the pervasive crush of humanity that constantly inhabits this place cannot rob it of its enchantment. An absolute must visit in London!

Saw this hooded sweatshirt at the market place and bought for £25. Guess this is the place to shop for souvenirs. Just make sure to go around as some merchandise look cheap. Used the Picadilly Station to get here.

Great to place to just hang out and/or shop! It has a wonderful vibe and is so vibrant. It is one of my favorite areas in London. It does not get busy so better to go earlier in the day if you want to avoid the hordes.

Great area to dine, drink, shop and hang out. Upscale experience. It's a large shopping district encompassing a few blocks. Has its own tube station nearby. Very beautiful area. There are live popup entertainers to amuse the crowds. Has an amazing Apple store. Must pay for public restrooms in the lower level. Great place to bring kids, family or a date. The London Transport Museum is located here. Has a Ben's Cookie, 5 Guys, Shake Shack and a Ladurée as well. Lots of choices for dining and shopping. Endless options to keep you busy. Enjoy.

Very accessible shopping center from the Picadilly line. One thing that stood out was that this shopping center contained a lot more high end recognizable American stores compared to the other nice shopping centers in London (Reformation, Glossier, Mejuri etc). Great environment and felt safe and lively. Interesting street performers as well

I think it's a great place to go. Great central place in London, always lots of activity going on, and pretty interesting. i'd recommend it!

Great place to spend half a day while you are visiting London. Higher end retailers and some smaller size merchants providing very unique goods to mostly tourists. There few eateries and brunch places to satisfy your cravings. Very accessible with public transportation. There is live music band playing during the day. You easily can spend 3-4 hours strolling in the "garden". There are plenty of restrooms available to the visitors.

I can't believe that I never wrote a review on Covent Market before - whaaatt??!!! I love this place and the surrounding area since I was a kid growing up in England (single digits in terms of age - yes the late 1950's!!) until the present day. It is the center of the West End for everything Theater related, it has countless good places to eat (surrounding the market in nearby streets), it is simply iconic and then there is the market itself with every souvenir that you heart could possibly desire. Add to that all day long there are musicians playing, crazy artists dressed as fake statues and whatever else plus magicians and everything in between. If I bring a visiting friend then this is one of our first stops to have fun together and explore from there - or visit before a show. Fun, iconic, history, entertainment and food eats. Can't beat that combo can you?? Two thumbs up! Review #94 2019

Has everything you could want and maybe a little more. Beautiful and charming architecture. This whole area is a delight to walk around. One gripe, Saturday evenings there are a crazy amount of people.

Some of the worst street performers I have ever seen. They should be embarrassed. Very limited skills , except very skilled at asking for money. One of them actively denigrated the audience to shame them into giving him more money than he earned. I can't believe that the powers that be review these performers and approve them.

Try to get there earlier before everything shutting down but you can do everything: shop, eat, people watch, and sightsee! Most definitely worth a visit!

A must visit touristy area. not because of anything in particular, but because of a number of little things. Like the stalls at Jubliee Market for souvenirs, the homemade arts and crafts being sold, along with the street performers and nearby theaters and little shops and restaurants. It's also close to Chinatown.

Okay outdoor shopping area with a few interesting restaurants and stores, but not too many! The best store there is the Apple store. Covent Garden doesn't seems like a shopping mall, not even look like a outdoor shopping mall. I feels like I'm just walking on a normal street. I will shop here if if happens I am here anyway. But I would make a special trip to Covent Garden just for shopping!

I still remember how beautiful this place was. Upstairs they have different themes all the time, when I was there it was the balloons that look like clouds, I believe after that they had umbrellas. They change them often. Downstairs they have a restaurant with live band and music is just wonderful!!! Covent Garden is a must see place!

Covent Garden is one of those premier shopping centers that's got the perfect mix of the mainstream shops, the designer stores, and the up-and-coming local brands. You can literally go from Dior to rinky-dink trinkets and jewelry within a few minutes. I loved wandering through the indoor and outdoor market, grabbing food, trying tea samples, exploring all the makeup stores, and buying souvenirs at the flea market area by the street performers - who are breathtakingly talented, by the way. There's so much to do and see. Don't forget to go downstairs, where there are plenty of restaurants. It's just so festive and fun! Just hate how they charge for restrooms, but you can try to use the ones in the restaurants if the staff is kind enough. This is one of the spots I know I'd keep coming back to if I lived in London, because it's the exact type of energy I dig. If you're visiting, I suggest giving yourself a couple of hours to see all they have to offer. Bring an umbrella, and - this is coming from a New Yorker - try something other than the Shake Shack!

How did this happen? In all of our travels to London, we have managed not to visit Covent Garden. So, we knew it had to be our first stop on this trip. We were completely enchanted with what we found. It is hard to believe that this was once one of London's biggest slums. It was the former fruit-and-vegetable market from the 1500's to 1974. The buildings are so inviting with lots of beautiful shops and eateries. You will find the Royal Opera House, shopping on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials, London Transport Museum and the Theatre Royal. We were pleased to be able to hear free live music in Covent Garden Market. We just followed the sound - it was on the lower level of the market. (The closet Tube station is Covent Garden)

Covent Garden is a district in Greater London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between Charing Cross Road and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and with the Royal Opera House. The district is divided by the main thoroughfare of Long Acre, north of which is given over to independent shops centred on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials, while the south contains the central square with its street performers and most of the historical buildings, theatres and entertainment facilities. A great area to spend an evening or day browsing the various shops and food stalls as well as dining around here. Tons of nice restaurants in this area for all budgets and of course plenty of street performers and other things to keep you entertained. It's also a great meeting point as it's quite central. We have been here many times and dined in a number of restaurants in the area. We have also been to the theater in and around here. A lonely part of London you can enjoy come rain or shine.

Very lovely and cozy. Variety of shops Very lovely and cozy. Variety of shops

A nice day stroll out just don't let the crowds of tourists and daytrippers get to you. It is about the same busy as our last visit. Just do not go on a weekend. Several area restaurants here are OK. Snacks are good but as far as regular shopping don't waste your time. The street entertainers seem to be repetitive and tired. The flea market area is basically junk. Nothing of note here but it is still a must see/visit when in London. After you are done, meander over to Soho for some good food.

A fun place It's a great place to be, to stroll and to shop a bit on a sunny day. The streets fill up with visitors and locals alike and has a great and friendly vibe. Pubs and Restaurants put their chairs and tables out. Sit down and watch the world go by. Some good shops line up on the streets too, good bargains to find on "sale"-season. With a bit of luck and time. The Covent Garden Market is surely a looker and nice to have a stroll. But shopping-wise not as interesting. It's a wonderful area two spend a bit of time. Fells more like a small-town than big London, which is a nice change. The Subway Station is really busy and packed though. You can easily walk from Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square.

Great meal great atmosphere great location would definitely recommend this place service was fine just a nice pub

Covent Garden is unbelievable! Unfortunately, I arrived minutes after all the stores closed; however, I had a lot of fun walking around. I came during the holidays and there was a massive Christmas tree in the middle of the garden -- many people took turns taking a photo in front of the tree. There was also a couple ice sculptures a few feet away from the giant tree.

Absolutely lovely open shopping area in the heart of London, next door to the Apple Store. We were there early for our walking tour, so not all of the merchants had opening their stalls, but what we did see was a variety of homemade items, from clothing to artwork. Covent Garden once housed the farmer's market, so the center is open and airy, with glass ceilings that let in light. Fun place to visit, with eateries to boot. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas, too!

Good old Covent Garden market. I came here after graduating college and after seeing on Rick Steves multiple times I finally got here. It is such a cute little market that many of the travelers to the UK fail to notice it's charm. Back then the hotel I stayed in was super close by and it took a short bus ride to get here. When I came here there were really gorgeous flowers nearby and some of it was for sale. Now there could probably be succulents for sale but I am just taking a wild guess. This landmark is nice and airy it's not confined entirely by a roof like other markets. There's a certain sense of nostalgia when you come here because CGM is a lot older than all of us . If you come here during the holidays it is such a cute place with toys that will blow your mind away.

What a fun area to grab some food, an adult beverage and listen to some local bands/music. We dropped in during the dinner hour on a Saturday and it was hoping. The food court offered pretty much anything under the sun. Just be patient as the lines and wait time tend to go long. TIP: Due the popularity, if you go with a group of folks grab an open table as soon as you get there and just take turns grab food and saving seats.

One of the places I love most in London! I love coming here for a drink in the evening or before a show... Perfect place for a cocktail in one of the many cocktail bars or pubs... I especially like grabbing a beer in Punch and Judy, sitting on the balcony and watching the street performers. Simply a MUST!

It's a beautiful place to take a stroll around. I've been here a couple times when I was in the UK and it was truly a sight! Everything was so different and it's an experience worth your while, check this place out cuz they have lots of cool shops and performances

I don't know why I haven't wrote a review about Covent Garden before. This is a place I have spent so much time at over the years and I love it. It's truly the heart of London, with so much to do. From shopping to Bars/Pubs, great places to eat, street performers and so much more. Covent Garden has something for everyone. I love it, always have and always will.

I was in London for a couple of days and found it by walking in the city. There was a big christmas tree, and there were may people there. I checked the map and browsed the stores. There are so many restaurants and shops that you can spend long time here. Fun place to just walk.

Love coming here whenever I visit. Lovely shops & stands. Listening to live music at lower level is always lovely. Great people watching. But prices are a bit up market for me. I save my $ to go to Camden Market.

I had a lot of fun walking and shopping through the Covent Garden. I understand the locals are still unhappy about their open air market being converted into retail, but with its prime location, it was pretty much inevitable. There is plenty of addition retail surrounding this place along with a lot of nice restaurants to complete a nice evening or morning out. We ended up coming back here a couple of times to grab food at the small crepe shops and to buy Christmas presents. I would not recommend trying to Uber to here though, the traffic can be a bit ridiculous. Just get dropped off here by and walk the last few blocks.

Covent Garden is a rather cool, growing area of London's West End which includes many popular attractions including Leicester and Trafalgar Square, as well as Covent Garden market and a cool selection of shops, stalls and places to eat, including one of two flagship Apple Stores, which is probably my favourite Apple branches in London, a huge store with beautiful exposed brick decor which stands out in a beautiful, old building in the Covent Garden square. Covent Garden is also home to various hotels including those from my favourite hotel brand, Hilton and has the only Starbucks Reserve bar in the UK, which although isn't as big and impressive as other Reserve bars which have roastery features in Milan, NYC and Seattle and co, it still has a different, cool menu including alcohol (again at high and inflated prices compared to other branches) Covent Garden is also home to multiple restaurants including the very popular and highly-rated Honest Burgers, sadly I did find it to be disappointing. The market stalls looked like they'd be vibrant and busy during the times it's on, with good food however and multiple brands including Nando's and Gourmet Burger Kitchen do have branches here. Multiple Underground Stops serve different areas of Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Covent Garden Stations are actually 260 meters apart, which is the closest two stations on the Underground System. From the Royal Opera House to Covent Garden Piazza and Market, this is perhaps one of the cool and unsung heroes of the London touristy scene which sadly doesn't get the recognition it deserves compared to Westminster, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Do visit during the days though, I've noticed at night it does get busy with a different kind of crowd with multiple bars, and perhaps less security than one would imagine, the lack of signage to bus stops in certain areas also makes it a little difficult for tourists. 4*

A nice way to spend an afternoon looking around at street performers, musicians, the big market, pubs, cafes, restaurants, something for every budget, from cheap knick knacks to high end. Good meeting point due to its central location.

What an amazing find! I actually got lost and stumbled on this little gem. There were so many different vendors to choose from. From toy store to ice cream to crepe to sandwiches. There were also cheese shop and wine. I came in during early in the morning so a lot were not an option. I waited for the crepe place to open because that was my only rational option. Having crepe for breakfast was a good decision! This is a super super late review because I was here March 2016.