Covent Garden Travel
Covent Garden, London — the heart of West End theatre and street culture. The Apple Market and Jubilee Market offer antiques and handicrafts, the Royal Opera House echoes with classic melodies, the Seven Dials area brims with trendy designs, and the Somerset House winter ice rink is wonderfully romantic. A 2-day, 1-night classic tour featuring a West End cultural tour, vintage treasure hunting, street performer viewing, and a stroll along the River Thames.
Covent Garden Two-Day One-Night Classic Tour
Experience the fusion of London's West End theatre and street art, explore the Apple Market and antique stalls, enjoy world-class street performer shows, and visit the Royal Opera House and Somerset House.
Check into a boutique hotel or apartment in Covent Garden. Enter via Covent Garden Piazza and admire the Apple Market under its glass roof — antiques and handicrafts galore Monday to Sunday. Next to it, the Jubilee Market sells creative designs and souvenirs. In the afternoon, enjoy world-class street performers in the piazza — acrobatics, magic, live bands taking turns. Then visit the Royal Opera House — join a backstage tour or enjoy free exhibitions in the lobby. In the evening, stroll along Neal Street and the Seven Dials area, lined with independent brands and trendy stores. Dinner at Frenchie or Dishoom, followed by a musical at a West End theatre.
- The Covent Garden Hotel
- ME London — Modern Luxury
- CitizenM — Tech-Design Hotel
- Dishoom Covent Garden — Mumbai Breakfast
- Frenchie — Seasonal French Bistro Menu
- Flat Iron — Affordable Steak with Caramel Sauce
- Extremely busy on weekends — arrive before 11:00
- Street performers concentrate in the central piazza area
- Royal Opera House tours must be booked online in advance
Walk approximately 8 minutes from Covent Garden to Somerset House — a neoclassical palace building, famous for its summer fountain courtyard and winter ice rink, often hosting art exhibitions and open-air cinema. Inside, visit the Courtauld Gallery's Impressionist collection. Then stroll east along the Thames Path, passing Waterloo Bridge with views of St Paul's Cathedral and The Shard. Return to Covent Garden for lunch in the garden of St Paul's Church — the "Actor's Church" and spiritual origin of Covent Garden. In the afternoon, enjoy a classic English afternoon tea (recommend Fortnum & Mason or Bea's of Bloomsbury), or browse niche perfumes and design books on Long Acre. End your elegant cultural tour with a traditional British dinner at The Ivy or Rules Restaurant.
- Tube Piccadilly line to Covent Garden station
- Tube Northern/Bakerloo line to Charing Cross station
- Somerset House: walk or take bus to Strand stop
- Apple Market/Jubilee Market: Free entry
- Royal Opera House Tour: £15-£25
- Somerset House Courtyard: Free, exhibitions ticketed separately
- Courtauld Gallery: £9-£12
- Somerset House winter ice rink tickets must be booked in advance
- Covent Garden station very busy on weekends — consider walking to Leicester Square station
- Afternoon tea recommended to book ahead; Fortnum's may require queuing
Must-Try Foods in Covent Garden
Dishoom Covent Garden — Mumbai Breakfast
London's phenomenon Indian restaurant. The Covent Garden branch retains retro Bombay charm. Signature bacon naan roll and chai tea are brunch classics. Average £12-£20. Queue at least 30 minutes but worth the wait.
Frenchie — Seasonal French Bistro Menu
Popular French bistro from Paris. The Covent Garden branch specialises in Anglo-French fusion. Lunch set menu from £25. Duck leg and chocolate mousse are signatures. Perfect for elegant dates.
Flat Iron — Affordable Steak with Caramel Sauce
London's national steakhouse. The Covent Garden branch is on Henrietta Street. Signature flat iron steak from £13, served with salted caramel sauce and popcorn. Excellent value. No reservations — queue on site.
Rules Restaurant — Traditional British Dinner
One of London's oldest restaurants (opened 1798), specialising in game and classic British puddings. Venison pie and sticky toffee pudding are signatures. Opulent vintage decor. Average £50-£80 per person.
- May-September: Courtyard fountains and outdoor performances most active
- December: Somerset House ice rink and Christmas market
- Weekdays (Tue-Thu): Markets less crowded, better experience
- Dishoom bacon naan roll
- Frenchie duck leg with cherry sauce
- Flat Iron caramel sauce steak
- Rules venison pie & sticky toffee pudding
- Bea's of Bloomsbury English three-tier afternoon tea
- Tickets: Free (markets/piazza), museums/tours £10-£25
- Accommodation: £90-£180/night (hostel dorm from £30)
- Dining: £30-£60/day (market snacks + meal)
- Transport: approx £10 (Oyster card daily cap)
- Total: £100-£220
- Is the Apple Market open every day? → Monday-Sunday 10:00-19:00, fewer stalls on Sundays
- Do street performers have a schedule? → Usually rotating performances 11:00-21:00, no fixed timetable
- Do I need formal wear for the Royal Opera House? → Smart casual recommended for shows, no dress code for tours
- When is the Somerset House ice rink open? → November to January each year, tickets must be purchased in advance online