London – Around Town : Covent Garden (part 1)

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Covent Garden is a popular
destination for Londoners and tourists alike. At its heart is the
capital’s first planned square, laid out in the 17th century by Inigo
Jones and recently completed by the addition of the imperious, pearly
white Royal Opera House. In spite of such grandeur, there is still a
local feel to the surrounding streets and lanes, especially around
Neal’s Yard and Endell Street. To the south of Covent Garden is another
recently developed institution, Somerset House, which contains the
Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery. To get the full impact of the
imposing riverside setting, enter from the Embankment side.

Covent Garden Architect

Inigo Jones
(1573–1652) designed Covent Garden as London’s first planned square. The
low roofs and classical portico of St Paul’s Church were influenced by
the Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1518–80). As set designer for
royal masques, Jones was responsible for introducing the proscenium arch
and moveable scenery to the London stage.





Sights

  1. The Piazza and Central Market

    For 300 years, Covent Garden was a fruit, vegetable and flower market – immortalized by Lerner and Loewe’s hit musical My Fair Lady.
    In 1980 the Victorian halls, with their lovely iron and glass roofs,
    were transformed into a vibrant, modern-day market place, surrounded by
    cafés and bars and enlivened by regular street entertainment.

    • WC2

    Covent Garden piazza and central market

    Clowns in Covent Garden

    Shops and cafés in the former market area

  2. Royal Opera House

    London’s
    impressive premier music venue is home to both the Royal Opera and
    Royal Ballet Companies. The present Neo-Classical theatre was designed
    in 1858 by E M Barry and incorporated a portico frieze recovered from
    the previous building, which had been destroyed by fire. The Opera House
    has recently spread its wings into the lovely Floral Hall, once part of
    Covent Garden market and now housing a champagne bar .

    • Bow Street WC2

    • Open to visitors 10am–3:30pm

    • 020 7304 4000

    Royal Opera House

  3. Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery

    Founded in 1932
    for the study of the history of European art, the Courtauld is part of
    Britain’s oldest institute for teaching the history of art. Located in
    the North Block of Somerset House the gallery rooms are particularly
    strong on Impressionist paintings. Each Tuesday at 1:15pm there is a
    free talk on one of the paintings in the exhibition.

    • Strand WC2

    • Open 10am–6pm daily

    • Admission charge

  4. Somerset House

    Once
    a grand riverside palace, and later home to the Navy Board, Somerset
    House is now partly occupied by the Civil Service. A large amount of the
    building, though, is open to the public. Aside from housing the
    Courtauld Institute, there are the new Embankment Galleries which put on
    a varied programme of exhibitions spanning design, fashion,
    architecture and photography.

    • Strand WC2

    • Open 10am–6pm daily

    • Admission charge

    Somerset House

  5. Seven Dials

    Also
    known as “Covent Garden’s hidden village”, this characteristic street
    layout was created by Thomas Neale (1641–99), MP. The sundial at the
    central monument has only six faces, as Neale’s original scheme included
    only six streets. Nowadays, it is known for its unusual mix of shops
    and leisure and entertainment venues, including restaurants, spas and
    four theatres.

    • WC2

  6. Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop

    Established
    in the 1880s, this independent, family-run shop specializes in toy
    theatres, theatrical gifts and traditional toys for both children and
    adult collectors. The colourful range on offer includes marionettes and
    puppets, musical boxes and paper dolls.

  7. London’s Transport Museum

    Some
    of the most innovative British designers have worked for London
    Transport, and their posters and furnishings are on display here. See
    vehicles that have served the city for two centuries. The bookshop sells
    souvenir model buses, taxis and goods displaying the distinctive London
    Underground symbol .

    • The Piazza WC2

    • Open 10am–6pm Mon–Thu, Sat & Sun; 11am–9pm Fri

    • Admission charge

    London’s Transport Museum

  8. Neal’s Yard

    This
    delightful enclave is full of colour, with painted shop fronts,
    flower-filled window-boxes and oil-drums, and cascades of plants
    tumbling down the walls. This is alternative London, with wholefoods and
    such alternative therapies as Chinese medicines, walk-in back rubs and
    acupuncture. Visit Neal’s Yard Remedies and test out their wonderful
    body creams and shampoos, then sample British cheese at Neal’s Yard
    Dairy round the corner in Short’s Gardens.

    • Neal Street WC2

    Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden

  9. St Paul’s Church

    Inigo
    Jones built this church (known as the actors’ church) with the main
    portico facing east, on to the Piazza, and the altar at the west end.
    Clerics objected to this unorthodox arrangement, so the altar was moved.
    The entrance is via the west portico while the grand east door is
    essentially a fake.

    • Bedford Street WC2

  10. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

    Drury
    Lane is synonymous with the London stage and this glorious theatre
    explains why. It has a splendid entrance, with magnificent stairways
    leading to the circle seats. The auditorium is large enough to put on
    the biggest musical extravaganzas, including South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly and Miss Saigon. The first theatre on this site was built in 1663 for Charles II whose mistress Nell Gwynne trod the boards.

    • Catherine Street WC2

    • Guided tours

    Theatre Royal, Haymarket