Covent Garden Market

One of central London’s most exclusive commercial districts, Covent Garden is a lively part of the city awash with street performers, musicians and travelling thespians. This historic 17th century piazza is lined with designer stores, upmarket boutiques and popular restaurants.

Originally laid out as early as 1630, Covent Garden is now one of London’s most iconic hubs of tourism. Covent Garden is home to a range of well-loved theatres such as the Lyceum, the Novello and the Adelphi.

The nearby Strand also benefits from a fine literary tradition. The street has accommodated the likes of Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

• Unsurprisingly, Covent Garden got its name from a monastery that used to be based there.
  
• Covent Garden is thought to receive around 50 million visitors every year.
  
• The central piazza was inspired by the piazzas found in glamorous cities all over Europe.
  
• There are over 60 bars and pubs in Covent Garden.