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Covent Garden Market

Shopping, Lifestyle Covent Garden
5 out of 5 stars
(11user reviews)
Winner<br/>2018

Winner
2018
Winner<br/>2018

Winner
2018
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Time Out says

A London institution and tourist favourite with a penchant for handmade crafts, goods and antiques.

While Londoners might advise you to avoid the bustle of Covent Garden at all costs, this hotspot is beloved by tourists. One of the biggest draws is the market, which began life in the 1970s as a humble fruit and vegetable market. Thanks to congestion, and because there was no way to develop in the area, the fresh produce moved out and the retail opportunities moved in. The colonnaded nineteenth-century Piazza building is now home to high-profile designers and beauty outlets, such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Mulberry. There are also eateries like Shake Shack and Boho Pizza, with fine-dining options Balthazar, The Ivy Market Grill and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon nearby.

But it’s not all big-name restaurants and famous designers – from Tuesday to Sunday in Apple Market there’s a multitude of independent traders selling unique and handcrafted items. At Culpably Cute you’ll find handmade jewellery, and Painted In London offers hand-painted T-shirts sporting iconic London symbols such as red buses and black taxis. On Mondays the space transforms into an antiques and collectables market, with classic cameras, old printing blocks and vintage tins and signs. In the East Colonnade Market, traders like SM Soaps and Sweets offer various treats.

Top tip: Covent Garden Market is always heaving but early evening, especially in the summer, as it’s winding down, is rather magical. And while you’re there, pop in to nearby Jubilee Market, which hosts around 100 stalls. Alim Kheraj

RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

By: Alim Kheraj

Posted:

Details
Static map showing venue location
Address: Covent Garden Piazza
London
WC2E 8RF
Transport: Tube: Covent Garden or Charing Cross
Contact:
www.coventgarden.london Call Venue +44 (0)20 7420 5856
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm, Sun: 11am-6pm
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Users say (11)

5 out of 5 stars

Average User Rating

4.5 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:6
  • 4 star:5
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|11
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Tastemaker

A must see place if you are a tourist, and a must be place for londoners.Busy all day & night long, a covered market that has everything! Souvenirs, handmade gifts, perfumes, chocolates & sweets, cafes & restaurants.


Covent Garden market is the place to be and visit. There isn't anything that you couldn't find here. Especially as there is something to satisfy everyone's needs. You know the ol' saying here's a place that has something for everyone and it really is true of this place.

Tastemaker

Covent Garden is a little piece of London heaven. It's lively, full of fun with street performers keeping everyone entertained. On a nice day you can sit outside and take in the atmosphere with a glass of wine and bite to eat. There's plenty of little shops and I love the Ben's Cookies for a tasty treat. The surrounding area has stacks of shops, restaurants and theatres too, so you're right in the middle of all the action. Head to the Royal Opera House to watch the ballet for a mega treat :-) Enjoy!

Tastemaker

Walk around the overly-excitable tourists watching the comedian/juggler/whatever he is at the main entrance and have a look at the artisan stalls instead (which seem to change per day of the week), with truly lovely and unique jewellery, photographs, scarves, blown-glass plates and other luxurious items. Yes, they're expensive, but usually worth the price, unlike the chocolate-covered strawberries at the nearby Godiva store (ask the price of those strawberries, I dare you). The artisans are happy to discuss provenance and artistic methods with you, and you'll go away with something lovingly handmade if you look hard enough. Then justify your purchase by going into the covered market next door and buying cheap t-shirts, fridge magnets, candy and other mass-produced stuff. You'll also find a huge choice of restaurants, cafes and fast-food joints in and around the markets and on Sunday afternoons you may hear a free concert from musicians hawking their CDs.


Really wonderful market with a large selection of cool bits from handmade scarfs, to bespoke perfumes - this market has it all!

Staff Writer

Probably the best market in London. Love the hussle around covent garden, with the street performers and the array of different stalls. Visit during the winter months when its nice and festive


A nice place to chill out on a summer afternoon. Lots of food shops, restaurants around. On street eateries are my favourite, you can have a meal watching the world go by. Plenty street side shows like street magicians, acrobats etc to keep you entertained.


Very nice and vibrant market. Always full of people walking and shopping. Sometime there are street shows that add  to the excitements and he noise. Love Covent garden. Enjoy eating and shopping or just looking around. 


for me a visit to London must include some time, evenings, mornings, at Covent Garden Market - love the crafts and the performances there! And as for the food and the coffee mmm mmm! There this week - just thinking about it is so exciting!


A hive of activity is Covent Garden Market , I was fortunate to visit recently and took in the fabulous decorations , as well as the great acts performed there by real artists of entertainment . The knife juggling tight rope walker held my attention for the longest , along with 50 to 80 others ,very comical and fascinating act to watch ! After wandering from stall to stall , I got many Christmas presents , and then found a pleasant courtyard to eat and drink , while again being entertained . To combine shopping , dining , entertainment and a cheerful friendly atmosphere , there can be no better setting than this .Well done Covent Garden ,I shall be back !

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