| Many agree that Covent Garden offers the best | | | | commissioned by the Earl of Bedford to design |
| shopping experience in London. Whatever you | | | | a residential Italian style piazza complete |
| are looking for Covent Garden has it. Whether | | | | with surrounding streets and church. Having |
| it be fashion, jewellery, beauty products or | | | | visited Italy and studied the many public |
| that unusual gift, you won't have to look far | | | | squares there he designed Covent Garden in |
| in the shops and markets of Covent Garden. | | | | the Renaissance style surrounded by straight |
| | | | streets. Although many of the original |
| The area boasts many shops whose names you | | | | buildings may have been replaced, the |
| would instantly recognise, but equally there | | | | centrepiece and street grid system still |
| are many unique, one-off boutiques found | | | | remain. |
| within the famous streets that attract | | | | |
| shoppers from all over the globe. | | | | The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed |
| | | | many of the city of London markets, which |
| But it's not just the shopping that draws the | | | | then regrouped and relocated to stylish |
| crowds; a plethora of highly talented street | | | | Covent Garden. For almost 300 years the area |
| entertainers can be found performing in and | | | | became renowned for its fruit, vegetable and |
| around Covent Garden every day. It is the | | | | flower markets, carrying the title of the |
| only place in London that allows licensed | | | | largest wholesale produce market in England. |
| outdoor entertainment. International | | | | |
| musicians, jugglers, and mime artists all | | | | In the1970s the fresh produce markets moved |
| come to Covent Garden to display their skills | | | | three miles to a custom-built New Covent |
| and entertain the visitors who can watch | | | | Garden Market in Nine Elms. However, the old |
| these amazing artists perform their fantastic | | | | site at Covent Garden Piazza grew in |
| array of acts before grabbing a bite to eat | | | | popularity attracting visitors and shoppers |
| at the many bars, cafes and famous | | | | to the arts and crafts market housed in and |
| restaurants. | | | | surrounded by some of the most beautiful |
| | | | architecture on offer in London. The |
| However, many of the visitors to Covent | | | | distinctive Royal Opera House is housed on |
| Garden are unaware of its historical | | | | the corner of the square which, as well as |
| significance; the land on which it stands on | | | | Opera, also features productions from the |
| has been continually occupied for over 2,000 | | | | English National Ballet. |
| years making it the oldest inhabited part of | | | | |
| London. It was originally the site of a | | | | As well as being a superb venue for shopping |
| Benedictine Convent from which its name is | | | | Covent Garden is also a great place to dine. |
| derived. King Henry VIII used the land to | | | | It has numerous fantastic restaurants, many |
| train his falcons, after he dissolved the | | | | of which offer the full al-fresco experience. |
| monasteries and destroyed the Convent, before | | | | Conveniently situated on the fringe of the |
| he gifted it to the aristocratic Bedford | | | | West End, it is only a short walk from many |
| family. | | | | top theatres and quality London hotels, so if |
| | | | you are visiting the nation's capital make |
| In 1632 fashionable architect Inigo Jones was | | | | sure it is on your 'to see' list. |