Best for
First-time visitors, shoppers, theatre and opera fans
Time needed
1–2 hours
Worth it?
Yes — an essential slice of central London atmosphere and history
Skip if
You dislike crowds or high-footfall tourist shopping areas
About Covent Garden
Laid out in the 1630s to a design by Inigo Jones, Covent Garden Piazza was London's first planned square, built as an elegant residential development for the Earl of Bedford before evolving into the city's main fruit, vegetable and flower market from 1670 until the market relocated to Nine Elms in 1974. The surviving 1830 market hall, designed by Charles Fowler, was converted into the shopping and dining destination seen today.
The covered Apple Market beneath the north colonnade holds around 40 stalls of handmade jewellery, art and craft, while the central piazza hosts licensed street performers — jugglers, escapologists, musicians and living statues — who must pass a formal audition to perform here, a tradition dating back centuries.
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The area is also a genuine cultural hub: the Royal Opera House has been home to the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet since the 1940s, and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, opened in 1663, is the oldest London theatre still in continuous use. The London Transport Museum, housed in the old flower market building, is a worthwhile add-on for families.
Worth noting: it's one of central London's most reliably crowded areas, especially on weekends and around lunchtime, and prices in the piazza's restaurants tend to reflect the tourist footfall rather than genuine value.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The covered Apple Market, with around 40 craft and jewellery stalls
- 2Licensed, formally-auditioned street performers in the central piazza
- 3The Royal Opera House, home to the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet
- 4Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London's oldest working theatre (1663)
- 5The London Transport Museum, housed in the old flower market hall
- 6Neal's Yard, a hidden colourful courtyard just north of the piazza
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Insider Tips
Visit late morning to catch the best street performances before crowds peak
Weekday visits are noticeably calmer than weekends
Duck into Neal's Yard nearby for a quieter, more colourful side street
The London Transport Museum requires a separate paid ticket
Restaurant prices directly in the piazza run high — better food is a short walk into Seven Dials
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Getting There
The Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF
Open in Google Maps →- 1Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) — turn right onto James Street to reach the market directly.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want to see London's original 17th-century planned public square
- You enjoy street performance and lively public spaces
- You're interested in opera, ballet or historic London theatre
- You want an easy, central base for a day of walking and shopping
Skip if...
- You dislike crowded, high-footfall tourist areas
- You're looking for good-value dining rather than atmosphere
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Trafalgar Square
London's grand ceremonial square, watched over by Nelson's Column and four bronze lions, fronted by the National Gallery — free, open 24/7, and the geographic heart of the city.
Courtauld Gallery
A compact, world-class collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces inside Somerset House, from Manet's last major painting to Van Gogh's self-portrait.
Neal's Yard
A tiny, dazzlingly colourful courtyard tucked behind Covent Garden's main streets, once a derelict service alley and now one of London's most photographed hidden corners.