One of the most popular areas in London, Covent Garden has a great deal to offer at the heart of the West End. The most important historical feature of the area is the grand piazza, formerly home to the city's largest fruit and vegetable market. Its prime location makes it an ideal place to stay in one of the many Covent Garden hotels to be found.
The Piazza
The piazza was designed by renowned architect Inigo Jones in 1630, and evolved into the city's premier market following the destruction caused by the Great Fire of London in 1666. In 1670 it became an officially licensed fruit and vegetable market, and continued to be so until the stalls outgrew the space and moved to Nine Elms in 1973.
Covent Garden Today
These days the piazza is a popular shopping centre, with many clothes and craft shops to browse. Passers-by can also enjoy the street-performers; Covent Garden is the only place they are licenced to perform, so this is something you will not see anywhere else in London. The fascinating London Transport Museum is also well worth a visit, while iconic Trafalgar Square and the stunning Royal Opera House are also within walking distance. It is a combination of all this culture and history that makes Covent Garden hotels such an attractive proposition.
Getting to Covent Garden
Found just three tube stops from Kings Cross St Pancras on the Piccadilly Line, Covent Garden's central location makes getting in and out very easy. As well as Covent Garden tube station itself, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road and Holborn are all acceptable getting off points just a short walk from the centre of Covent Garden.
If you are coming in on the train, your nearest station is Charing Cross. Once again, access to the centre of Covent Garden is very easy on foot, and indeed if the weather is fine it is good fun to stroll through the streets enjoying your surroundings.
Covent Garden Theatre
There are many theatres found in the vicinity of Covent Garden, which is no surprise given its West End location. Some of the more well-known theatres include
The Adelphi, which has previously staged Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and a triumphant, record-breaking eight-year run of Chicago.
Others include The Vaudeville, most recently known for a long-running series of productions of Stomp, The Garrick, The Duke of York's and
The Savoy.
Hotels in Covent Garden
There is a reasonably broad spectrum of hotels in Covent Garden, but the best of the bunch is undoubtedly
The Savoy on The Strand, with its world famous suites, bars and restaurants providing a genuine slice of London history. Further luxury is available at other establishments such as
Kingsway Hall, or the intriguing boutique
St Martins Lane. Visitors can also choose from a range of comfortable, welcoming budget accommodation such as
Fielding Hotel.
Covent Garden Pubs and Bars
The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) knows better than anyone what makes a good pub, and they voted
The Harp near Trafalgar Square as their National Pub of the Year 2010/2011. Constantly busy and with a fine selection of real ale, it is a must visit.
Elsewhere, for reasonably priced cocktails head to Freud Bar on Shaftesbury Avenue, while for wine you should seek out the wonderful 10 Cases, where the concept is an ever-changing menu consisting of ten bottles each of red, white and rosé wine. If you would like to try one of the most legendary bars in London, then
The Savoy's American Bar is just the ticket. It is renowned as the birthplace of the Savoy Cocktail Book, otherwise known as the bartender's bible.
Covent Garden Restaurants
As we have established, Covent Garden is fashionable enough to warrant many excellent restaurants. For a treat, try
The Northall for top quality British cuisine, or Christopher's for traditional American fare. The Asia de Cuba Restaurant at
St Martins Lane serves particularly fine Asian and Cuban flavours, while once again
The Savoy is home to an iconic establishment in the form of the Gordon Ramsay directed Savoy Grill.
If you are in the mood for French food, head to the excellent Mon Plaisir, which claims to be London's oldest French restaurant. Meanwhile, for a wider range of European dishes, The Forge is a good bet.
Covent Garden Parking
There are a number of
NCP car parks within a reasonable range of central Covent Garden, with the hourly price hovering around the £6 mark. Your best bets are Covent Garden (postcode WC2B 5NT) or Shaftesbury (WC1A 1JP). If you do choose to stay at St Martin's Lane (WC2N 4HX), you can expect to enjoy secure on site parking.