Staying in Covent Garden: A Guide to London's Best Neighborhood

London is such a large and varied city that it's easy to get lost, both in planning a trip and in the city itself.

​I have to recommend making your home base in London in Covent Garden - a gorgeous pocket in the center of the city that has everything you'll need during your stay! And even if you aren't staying in Covent Garden, let's discuss what you should see in the area when you visit!

Covent Garden, London

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Considering a visit to Covent Garden?

Smack dab in the center of everything, Covent Garden really must be on your to-visit list for any trip to London. Restaurants, theatre, shopping, and historical sights - what more could a person want?

During our most recent 10-day visit to London, we parked ourselves right in the middle of the action, in Covent Garden, a decision I'd happily make again. Close to everything, but with the feel of a neighborhood within a metropolis, Covent Garden has everything a visitor to London is looking for.

Staying in Covent Garden, London: Location

Various factors go into picking a hotel for a lengthy vacation, but location within the city you’re hoping to learn to get to know has got to be #1.

While walking in London is easy, and London's Tube is extremely accessible, you definitely want to make sure that you're picking a location that is both central to what you want to do and desirable in and of itself. Many tourists looking for a high-end experience end up in Mayfair ($$$$) or Westminster (thinking they’re near the sights) only to find that St Paul’s is not realistically walkable and it’s quite a journey to the inevitable London Eye trip.

From Covent Garden, we spent many an evening having a relaxing, after-hours drink in the City of London, then strolling along the Thames after a long day shopping at London's historic department stores. All on foot (with the caveat that are huge walkers). You’re about a 20-minute walk from St Paul’s and a 24-minute walk from Westminster Abbey. You can tour the two greatest royal wedding locations all on foot - what more could you ask for?

​Additionally, taking the Heathrow Express, getting to the airport is about as easy as it can ever be from Central London - the Express drops you at Paddington Station, and then I'd recommend a quick cab ride over to Covent Garden.

St Paul's Cathedral

Why's it called "Covent Garden?"

If you're anything like me, the first thing I started asking when my husband and I decided to stay in this area was "Covent?" What on earth does that mean? ​If you can imagine, this area - now the heart of London's theatre district, used to be owned by Westminster Abbey (think Pillars of the Earth) and was used as an orchard and farming district.

Londoners called the region "the garden of the Abbey and Convent," and within a few short centuries, that first "n" was nowhere to be found! With the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, the King instead gave the land to the Earl of Bedford, whose descendants commissioned Inigo Jones to construct ritzy townhouses.

Covent Garden itself

Staying in Covent Garden, London:
​Covent Garden Market Shopping

Covent Garden is, not only the name of the neighborhood itself, but it's also a specific structure you'll need to be sure to visit. Covent Garden itself (the former "fruit and veg" stalls, which were redeveloped in the end of the 20th century) is an incredible structure. Certainly worth seeing, even if you aren't a shopper, it is the nucleus of the area, and also home to a number of restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs on the nearby streets, as well.

The structure and surrounding streets have *amazing* shopping. From classic, luxury mainstays like Chanel and Dior to great English names like Mulberry, if you're looking for a relaxed shopping experience, look no further. A recent favorite of mine is The Cambridge Satchel Company, which offers a variety of simple, tasteful leather bags, generally around $150-$250. Walking just outside the confines of the Garden, you'll find Eileen Fisher, H&M, and Barbour, among many others.

Staying in Covent Garden, London:
​West End Theatre

In our recent 10-night stay in Covent Garden, we saw *5* shows, often buying the tickets that same day. What is better than eating dinner, seeing a show, grabbing a drink, and being able to walk back to your hotel?

I must particularly recommend The Mousetrap - a London classic. We attended the 27,297th performance. Personally, I’d pair The Mousetrap with dinner (before or after at The Ivy, see below)- and remember - don’t spoil the ending! If you're lucky enough to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the Palace Theatre is easily walkable. 

Palace Theatre, London, home of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

For more on Cursed Child, check out the blog post on trips and tricks for seeing Cursed Child in London.

Staying in Covent Garden, London:
Where to Eat in Covent Garden

Covent Garden overflows with dining options. A personal favorite of mine is The Ivy.  Yes, I know it’s no longer David Beckham (or his modern day equivalent)’s favourite hot spot, but it’s still a very nice restaurant and, if it were still a hot spot, I at least wouldn't be able to get in. That's not to say it's not still popular (and posh!) Her Majesty, not a frequenter of restaurants, dined at the Ivy in 2017.  

​So go, have a wonderful dinner, visit a London landmark, and then amble across the street to The Mousetrap, just in time for the show!

Avoid arriving at a restaurant in this area from 6-7. Shows start at 7:30, and many an unsuspecting American attorney (oh wait, at least just these two), has wandered around Covent Garden at 6, unable to get into any restaurants and eventually finding one with completed harassed waitstaff trying to get everyone else out to their 7:30 show.

The (original) Ivy, Covent Garden

St. Martin's Theatre, London, longtime home of The Mousetrap

Performance tracker at The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play, Covent Garden, London

Wondering what to wear in London?

Staying in Covent Garden, London:
​Covent Garden's Pubs

There's no shortage of boozers here in Covent Garden! We happened upon a tiny little pub, Savoy Tap, right off the Strand toward the Thames, looking out on the back of The Savoy. It doesn't have much seating area, but everyone is drinking outside anyway.

If you’re feeling more traditional, don’t forget about Ye Old Cheshire Cheese (obviously they don’t have a website). They have a delicious lunch (not cheap, but you if you need your fill of lawyers - you’ll find them here), but definitely pop by for a pint and soak in the atmosphere. I always pretend to be Dr. Johnson, myself, while I sit next to the roaring fire.

It's not as touristy as you might think - in fact J.K. Rowling even gives it a little plug in The Silkworm, one of my favorite mystery novels. Additionally, The George (pictured below), on The Strand, was a hit with the Husband!

The George Pub, the Strand, London

Staying in Covent Garden, London: Transit

Covent Garden has its own tube station, of the same name. DO NOT TAKE THE STAIRS.

Charing Cross Station is a 10-minute walk along the Strand from the middle of Covent Garden. From Charing Cross, you're easily connected to a number of the large London train stations, from which you can catch trains for any day trips you might be planning. Additionally, Waterloo Station is easily walkable (on the other side of the Thames).

​For more on day trips from London, including several that we took from our home base in Covent Garden - check out the post on visiting the U.K. by train.

Staying in Covent Garden, London:
​Hotels in Covent Garden

We loved our stay at The Waldorf Hilton Covent Garden.

Located on a little crescent off of the Strand, The Waldorf Hilton has nice, clean rooms, door attendants, and was extremely quiet in the room at night. ​We opted for a fairly large room, as we had such an extended stay. There was a kettle in the room (always important, in my opinion!!) stocked with tea and instant coffee. As a thoughtful touch, they brought us a few little treats, including a bottle of ?.

If you’re looking for the high-end luxury experience in this area, check out The Savoy.  Now owned by Fairmont, it’s unforgettable luxury (with a hefty price tag).

Gin and tonics at the Waldorf, Covent Garden

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you have a phenomenal trip to London! Don't forget to poke around my other posts about London, such as London's Historic Department Stores and Exploring the UK by Train! And sign-up for the blog newsletter, below!

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