Shop, then watch a London West End show and stay in a top 3 or 4 star hotel ready to shop again in the morning!
Covent Garden
Covent Garden has always been closely related to the theatre, with the oldest theatre dating back to 1660 - the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The close connections to the theatre, its many theatrical houses and its central location have made Covent Garden a major tourist attraction.
It is hard to imagine that Covent Garden was once a fruit and vegetable market, rather than the cosmopolitan tourist hotspot that it is today. In the past 300 years the area has associated itself more with unique shops and markets, making the area a principle shopping location for London. The site has also become heavily related to street performers, who line the streets and the piazza entertaining the public with all manner of acts and tricks.
You are guaranteed to find entertainment of some description on visiting Covent Garden whether at the hands of the street performers or from a musical number played by the musicians that occupy a corner on the ground floor of Covent Garden Market. It is the perfect place to sit and people watch, to relax and stroll around the stalls and boutiques or simply drink in the atmosphere.
Jubilee Market
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Clothes, Accessories, Household Items, Furniture, Antiques, Jewellery, Arts and Crafts, Food
Jubilee Market continues over 350 years of tradition of market trading in Covent Garden. The market operates everyday, selling antiques on Monday, general goods Tuesday to Friday and crafts on Saturday and Sunday. The market takes place in the grade ll listed building, adjacent to the piazza and the site is crammed full of colourful stalls and exotic products.
Covent Garden Market
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2
Telephone: 087 0780 5002
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Clothes, Accessories, Household Items, Furniture, Antiques, Jewellery, Arts and Crafts, Food
Covent Garden Market is located at the heart of Covent Garden, and enjoys the reputation as London's speciality shopping area. The building is split in two and operates over two floors. The area encompasses the Apple Market, several restaurants and a number of boutiques and designer stores.
Apple Market
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Clothes, Accessories, Household Items, Jewellery, Arts and Crafts
The Apple Market is situated within the Covent Garden Market. The designated area holds up to 200 stall holders, with pitches changing daily so each trip is different. The stalls sell everything from handmade arts and crafts to unique jewellery and art. This market has an incredible atmosphere and is very relaxed in style, prices are reasonable and the market is ideal for Christmas and birthday gifts.
Crabtree and Evelyn
Address: 3 The Market, The Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2
Telephone: 020 7836 3110
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Bath and Body Products, Fine Food, Perfume, Household Items
This company pride themselves on their natural ingredients and their products capture the essence of England perfectly and bottle it. The company was founded by Cyrus Harvey in the 17th Century when he combined forces with conservationist John Evelyn. Crabtree and Evelyn now sell their wares in 40 countries worldwide, with products ranging from specially designed and crafted household items to bath and body products.
Droopy and Browns
Address: 99 St. Martins Lane Covent Garden, London
Telephone: 020 7379 4514
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Clothes
Droopy and Browns was founded in 1972 by Angela and Jonathon Holmes and Keith Wilkinson. Designs are all unique and the clothes are handmade by a single seamstress, creating retro chic designs for the modern woman. These designs can only be bought from the Doopy and Browns stores and all the designs are exclusive.
Godiva
Address: 17 The Piazza, WC2E 8RA
Telephone: 020 7836 5706
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Food and Drink
This store is heaven for all chocolate lovers, founded by Joseph Draps and named after Lady Godiva this shop is all about the chocolate. Handmade Belgian chocolates of all flavours and sizes line the walls in beautiful packaging, and the warm smell of confectionary hits you on opening the door. This chocolatier has branches in several countries around the world, bringing the taste of Belgium to many.
Oliviers and Co
Address: 9A The Market Covent Garden, London WC2 E8RD
Telephone: 020 7240 0697
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Sells: Food and Drink, Health and Beauty
Specialists in all things culinary this store has the reputation for exquisite and unique olive oils. All their products have labeled information on how best to use the product, its origin, tasting notes and when the product was harvested. Oliviers and Co offer food from crackers to olives to the dishes in which to serve them and products to enhance your health and appearance.
For further information check out View London
