The smart, definitive guide to Covent Garden, London

Things to do in Covent Garden

What's on in Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of London’s foremost cultural and entertainment districts, popular with both locals and tourists. A plethora of theatres and play houses host everything from musicals to fringe, and its cobbled piazza and roads are often adorned with street performers and pop-up acts. The Royal Opera House puts on critically acclaimed operas and ballets throughout the year, and always plays to packed audiences dressed in their finery.

Covent Garden is a lively, busy, place and its music scene is small but mighty, with venues such as The Roadhouse and Twelve Bar Club clocking out everything from punk and electro to acoustic blues and Chinese folk. A variety of bars, pubs and restaurants suit all range of budgets and tastes. Covent Garden’s maze of streets is a treasure trove of small independent clothes shops scattered among more commercial stores.
Spoonfed tip: don’t be afraid to stray off the beaten path and get lost.

About Covent Garden

London’s Covent Garden, based in the City of Westminster and at the heart of the capital, is one of the city’s most famous and beloved areas. This might have something to do with it being the place where Henry Higgins picked up a grubby Eliza Doolittle to transform her into one fair lady, but also because of its historical and cultural charms. The area is dominated by the glass covered market and surrounding piazza lined with al fresco cafes that lend a distinct continental feel. Over a cappuccino and a bowl of olives, this is the perfect place to sit and watch street performers and the passing crowds as this part of town is busy morning, noon and night.
The indoor Apple market houses different stall traders selling their antiques, vintage jewellery, and handicrafts, all surrounded by small boutique shops. Otherwise Long Acre and Neal Street are where the best shopping takes place.

Covent Garden Venues

Royal Opera House
Best for: High culture and high notes.
Donmar Warehouse
Best for: an intimate and inimitable theatre outing.
GymBox
Best for: Those days when you can’t decide whether to go to the gym or a nightclub.
Funny Side of Covent Garden @ Corner Store
Best for: An evening of comedy in an intimate venue.
Sway
Best for:  Dancing and drinks in a posh setting.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat @ Adelphi Theatre
Best for: Watching one of the most popular shows in the West End.
London Transport Museum
Best for: A day out with the family on the rainy day.
Adelphi Theatre
Best for: Watching one of the most popular shows in the West End.

How to get to Covent Garden

By Tube: Covent Garden*, Leicester Square, Holborn, Charing Cross
*Covent Garden Tube is small and gets very busy at peak times. Leicester Square and Holborn are much bigger stations and are very close by.
By Bus: 19, 38, 29, 8, 55, 1,98, 7, 10, 73, 3
24-hr Buses:14, 24, 176, 134, 242, 390, 25, 12, 88
Please see Transport for London for more Covent Garden travel information.

Popular events in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Events

•   Comedy
  • Stand Up
•   Exhibitions
  • Art
  • Drawing
  • Gallery
  • History
  • Museum
  • Sculpture
•   Live Music
  • Blues
  • Country
  • Indie
  • Pop
  • Punk
  • Rock
•   Theatre
  • Cabaret
  • Classic
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Family
  • Melodrama
  • Musicals
  • Opera
  • Thriller

When?

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