London area of Covent Garden guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Covent Garden neighbourhood

Covent Garden gained its name when the Convent of St Peter opened a market in its garden more than 800 years ago, and it has remained dedicated to shopping ever since, though the focus now is on gifts, luxuries and fashion, rather than fruits and flowers. The Covent Garden Piazza, London’s most attractive covered market, sells novelty items, Neal Street specialises in shoes, while Seven Dials and Floral Street offer dozens of fashionable boutiques. There are a number of theatres in the area, including the stupendous Royal Opera House, and the West End’s trendiest venue, The Donmar Warehouse, so staying in one of the area's fashionable hotels is great for strolling into Theatreland and then sampling the abundant restaurants, bars and pubs that keep buzzing late into the night.

See our recommended nearby Covent Garden Hotels, Events, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Covent Garden Hotels

in or near Covent Garden

Strand Palace Hotel London
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
372 Strand, WC2R
This West End Art Deco hotel right on the Strand and next to Covent Garden is in a fantastic location for accessing central London and theatreland. ... More

The Waldorf Hilton Hotel London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
Aldwych, WC2B
Positioned between the City's Square Mile and the thriving West End, this grand, Edwardian Hilton hotel welcomes guests with a patisserie and champagne bar in the ... More

ME London
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
336-337 The Strand, WC2R
A luxurious 5-star hotel situated right in the heart of the city, ME London offers guests a lavish accommodation experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide the impeccable guestrooms ... More

Hotels in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Events

in or near Covent Garden

Mamma Mia!
London > Events > Theatre
Covent Garden, Aldwych, Covent Garden, London WC2B
Through the story-telling magic of the songs of ABBA, we meet Donna, a feisty forty-something single mum, who recalls the distant memories of carefree days and ... More

The Lion King
London > Events > Theatre
Covent Garden, 21 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
The Lion King tells the story of Simba - the epic adventure of his battles, his friendships, his dreams and his journey from wide-eyed cub to ... More

St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Carols & Services
London > Events > Seasonal
Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, London WC2N
St Martin-in-the-Fields is a perfect venue for any kind of service or concert - especially when candlelit and on a cold winter's night - but it ... More

Events in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Entertainment

in or near Covent Garden

Novello Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Aldwych, Covent Garden, London WC2B
Built in 1905 to form a pair with the near-identical Aldwych Theatre, the Novello Theatre (formerly known as the Strand Theatre) is one of London's more ... More

Savoy Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R
Situated alongside the Savoy Hotel, the building of the current theatre with its Art Deco auditorium, was financed by Richard d'Oyly Carte with the considerable profits ... More

Theatre Royal Drury Lane
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B
London's oldest theatre is also its most spectacular, with a palatial auditorium that is among the most impressive in the world. The first theatre on this ... More

Entertainment in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Covent Garden

London Transport Museum
London > Attractions > Museums
Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E
After a two-year, £22 million refurbishment the London Transport Museum reopened on 22 November 2007 revealing more exhibition space than before. The museum travels back through ... More

London Film Museum Covent Garden
London > Attractions > Museums
45 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
The London Film Museum, located on the site of the Theatre Museum in the original Flower Cellars in the heart of Covent Garden, is the second ... More

Covent Garden East Piazza
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E
A visit to Covent Garden is a must, whether you intend to shop, sightsee or soak in the carnival atmosphere. The focal ... More

Sights and Attractions in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Covent Garden

Penhaligon's
London > Shopping > Perfume and Cosmetics
41 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
For a sweet-smelling, sensory overload, Penhaligon's has to be the place to go. From the original Hammam Bouquet to the Winston Churchill's favourite - the Blenheim ... More

Primrose Bakery
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
42 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
If cupcakes are you cup of tea then head to the Covent Garden outlet of Primrose Bakery, a family owned enterprise which makes the most scrumptious ... More

Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop
London > Shopping > Children's Gifts and Toys
44 The Market, Covent Garden, Covent Garden, London WC2E
This tiny shop in the heart of Covent Garden is crammed full of traditional toys but is probably most famous for its selection of toy theatres ... More

Shopping in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Covent Garden London?

Joe Allen
London > Restaurants > American restaurants
2 Burleigh Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
Like The Ivy, Joe Allen is a restaurant that defies criticism. It has been a theatreland favourite since the times when dishes like Chilli Con Carne, ... More

Wagamama
London > Restaurants > South East Asian restaurants
1 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, Covent Garden, London WC2E
Taking inspiration from Japanese ramman-noodle bars, Wagamama is the ultimate in high-quality, fast food. Huge bowls of steaming, soupy noodles, chicken dumplings with a chilli-soy dipping ... More

Strand Carvery
London > Restaurants > British restaurants
The Strand Palace Hotel, 372 Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R
Contemporary design blends with traditional cuisine in this hotel restaurant in the West End. Choose from an extensive cold buffet featuring an assortment of seafood, asparagus, ... More

Restaurants in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Covent Garden.

The Marquess of Anglesey
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
39 Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
Gastropub ... More

Lamb & Flag
London > Nightlife > Pubs
33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
One of the oldest pubs in London, the Lamb & Flag was once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here. ... More

The Harp
London > Nightlife > Pubs
47 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N
The Harp, a welcoming bar in Covent Garden, is a traditional pub where the emphasis is firmly on real ale - earning it CAMRA's National Pub ... More

Pubs in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Nightlife

Covent Garden clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.

The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych
London > Nightlife > Bars
1 Aldwych, Covent Garden, London WC2B
Named one of the top five hotel bars in the world by the Sunday Telegraph, the Lobby Bar at the chic One Aldwych hotel is renowned ... More

B.Y.O.C
London > Nightlife > Bars
28 Bedfordbury Street, Covent Garden, Covent Garden, London WC2N
A speakeasy bar with a twist, B.Y.O.C is a cocktail bar that doesn't stock any alcohol. But, before snubbing it in disgust, you can relax in ... More

Lowlander Beer Cafe
London > Nightlife > Bars
36 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2B
The reputation of the Benelux breweries precedes them and this themed bar captures the flair of Dutch cafe culture too. The impressive row of shiny silver ... More

Nightlife in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Leisure

Covent Garden gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.

The Sanctuary
London > Leisure > Fitness
12 Floral Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll soon ... More

Victoria Embankment Gardens
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Victoria Embankment, Villiers Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N
Created in 1874, the Victoria Embankment Gardens run parallel to the River Thames, creating a green walkway between Waterloo Bridge and Embankment, and are dotted with ... More

Thai Square Spa
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
25 Shelton Street, 40 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H
Let the Thai Square Spa transport you to the shores of Asia with their traditional Thai spa treatment rooms, smack bang in the centre of Covent ... More

Leisure in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Education

in or near Covent Garden

Courtauld Institute of Art
London > Education > Arts and Drama
Somerset House, Covent Garden, London WC2R
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and prime ... More

Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
1 Sheffield Street, Covent Garden, London WC2A
The award-winning Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, designed by Irish architects O'Donnell + Tuomey and awarded the RIBA London Building of the Year Award in 2014, ... More

English [Out There!]
London > Education > English Language Courses
10 Coptic Street, Covent Garden, London WC1A
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken out ... More

Education in Covent Garden

Covent Garden Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Covent Garden.

Royal Society Of Arts
London > Business > Venue Hire
8 John Adam Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N
... More

Silver Fleet - Woods River Cruises
London > Business > Venue Hire
Somerset House South Wing Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R
Enjoy a luxury cruise on the Silver Fleet. Departing from the Savoy Pier and cruising along the Thames. A classy way to see the Thames.... More

Somerset House
London > Business > Venue Hire
Somerset House, Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R
Somerset House, once the site of a spectacular Tudor palace, now includes a magnificent 18th century art gallery housing celebrated collections belonging to the Courtauld Institute Gallery, ... More

Meeting Venues in Covent Garden