Covent Garden
Long before estate agents found Covent Garden, the now popular residential and shopping was the site of Roman and Saxon settlements. Covent Garden as we know it started to take shape as early as the 1630s when land that had been part of a convent’s garden, was redeveloped by Francis Russell, the Earl of Bedford. Through an ambitious experiment in town planning the Earl, along with his architect Inigo Jones, set about creating the country’s very first public square. Although the smart residents liked their new homes on the perimeters of the square, they weren’t so keen on the public space at its centre, or its rapidly developing fruit and vegetable market. The distinguished residents moved out, the market continued to grow and, in the 19th century, was extended with the addition of a flower market. In 1973 the market was forced to move (to Nine Elms) and the area undertook a lengthy period of renovation, resulting in the wonderful shopping and social centre that we can all enjoy in Covent Garden today.
FAMOUS RESIDENTS
Oliver Cromwell lived in Long Acre in the second half of the 17th century, while Nell Gwynne is reputed to have been born in Bow Street at around the same time. About 100 years later, legendary actor-manager David Garrick lived at 27 Southampton Street. He was Manager of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for almost 30 years. Garrick Street and the Garrick Club are named after him.
LOCATION, LOCATION
Framed by Shaftesbury Avenue to the north, The Strand to the south, Drury Lane to the east and Charing Cross Road to the west, Covent Garden is known for its Piazza and convivial social atmosphere. Once the heart of the area’s historic fruit and vegetable market, it is now famous for its shops, bars and restaurants, as well as its high standard of street entertainment.
Neighbourhood view
Letting agents in Covent Garden like to point out that much of the area’s beauty lies in its unusual design and layout, with its architectural and planning influences reflecting the fashions of five different centuries. Aiding estate agents in closing sales is the fact that many of the country’s best-known architects have worked in Covent Garden, including Sir Christopher Wren and Sir Norman Foster. The pedestrianisation of some of the surrounding streets has also contributed to the area’s charm.
ESSENTIAL LIVING
Family friendly for shopping and entertainment (Covent Garden is the original home of Punch & Judy), the district’s historic reputation as a noisy and disruptive commercial market has perhaps prevented it from fully developing a wide selection of schools, nurseries and large green spaces. However, property and lettings agents in Covent Garden draw attention to the excellent transport links, as well as another little known attraction in the form of a ‘secret’ green oasis called the Phoenix Garden, which lies just behind the junction of Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue.
The Piazza is now known for its shops, bars and restaurants, as well as its high standard of street entertainment
UNDERGROUND CONNECTIONS
Covent Garden: Piccadilly
Charing Cross: Northern, Bakerloo
Leicester Square: Piccadilly, Northern
Holborn: Piccadilly
Central Embankment: Bakerloo, Circle, District, Northern
PARKING SOLUTIONS
020 7974 4646
SHOPPING IN STYLE
Kay and Co estate agents would like to take the opportunity to assure property seekers that Covent Garden does indeed have its own Marks & Spencer (107 Long Acre), so those you can’t live without their trusty Marks & Sparks can rest easy. It is also home to a fabulous selection of stylish boutiques, such as Koh Samui (65 Monmouth Street). You’ll also find a milliner extraordinaire, Stephen Jones (36 Great Queen Street), a sumptuous vintage handbag specialist, French Touch (11 Shelton Street) and a satisfying selection of shoe shops, including the fashionable Poste Mistress (61 Monmouth Street).
The most noteworthy men’s shops include Nicole Farhi Menswear (11 Floral Street) and Paul Smith (40 Floral Street). Trendy streetwear fans can take advantage of the wide selection available at Carhartt (15 Earlham Street) and Duffer of St. George (34 Shorts Gardens), while book lovers can pop into any one of the excellent bookshops in Covent Garden such as Stanfords (12 Long Acre).
Shopping
Marks & Spencer: 020 7240 9549
Koh Samui: 020 7240 4280
Stephen Jones: 020 7242 0770
French Touch: 020 7240 2680
Poste Mistress: 020 7379 4040
Nicole Farhi Menswear: 020 7497 8713
Paul Smith: 020 7379 7133
Carhartt: 020 7836 1551
Duffer of St. George: 020 7836 3722
Stanfords: 020 7836 1321
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT
For rest and relaxation, our estate and letting agents in Covent Garden recommend the woman-only spa, Sanctuary (12 Floral Street), which has been a major draw to the area (WC2) for almost 30 years, while Triyoga (2 Neal’s Yard) is a relatively recent adaptation of the Primrose Hill original. There’s a Walk-In Backrub (14 Neal’s Yard) and a handful of top-notch hairdressers including Saco (71 Monmouth Street). Covent Garden is also home to some exceptional fitness centres including a dedicated Power-Plates studio, Good Vibes (14 Betterton Street), and the unique Gymbox (42 St. Martin’s Lane). Housed in the former Lumiere Cinema at the St. Martin's Lane Hotel, Kay & Co estate agents in Covent Garden recommend the Gymbox, which boasts a state-of-the-art gym with a distinctly cinematic feel and a diverse range of classes, including the Look Better Naked Total Muscle Workout and an intriguing Stiletto Workout!
Health & Beauty
Sanctuary: 0870 770 3350
Triyoga: 020 7483 3344
Walk-In Backrub: 020 7836 9111
Saco (above): 020 7240 7897
Good Vibes: 020 7240 6111
Gymbox: 020 7395 0270
ON THE TOWN
If you fancy a coffee, Covent Garden is the right place, as you’re spoilt for choice with several unique venues, such as the Café in the Crypt (under St. Martin-In-The-Fields on Duncannon Street) and Organic Excellence (22 Wellington Street), which is the first all-organic Soil Association certified takeaway in the capital. If you’re looking for a good bar the choice is even greater. The Lamb and Flag (33 Rose Street) is arguably the best pub in the area and probably one of London’s oldest, dating from 1623 at least, and comes highly recommend by our knowledgeable letting agents in Covent Garden. For something a little more contemporary try the Light Bar (St. Martin’s Lane Hotel, 45 St. Martin’s Lane) or Tamarai (167 Drury Lane) that also provides a Pan Asian menu. If dinner is your main focus in Covent Garden, estate agents recommend big-name local eateries including The Ivy (1 West Street), L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (13 West Street), Axis (One Aldwych Hotel, 1 Aldwych) and J Sheekey (28 St. Martin’s Court). Le Café du Jardin (28 Wellington Street) maintains a cosmopolitan atmosphere, while The Admiralty (Somerset House, The Strand) also offers fine French cuisine. Tasty vegetarian fast food is available at Food for Thought (31 Neal Street).
Restaurants & Bars
Light Bar at St. Martin’s Lane Hotel (above): 020 7300 5500
Tamarai: 020 7831 9399
The Ivy: 020 7836 4751
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon: 020 7010 8600
Axis: 020 7300 0300
J Sheekey: 020 7240 2565
Le Café du Jardin: 020 7836 8769
The Admiralty: 020 7845 4646
Food for Thought: 020 7836 0239
ENTERTAINMENT
The Royal Opera House (Covent Garden) is the permanent home of The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet companies, so the programme of events here is unrivalled. Kay & Co property and real estate agents emphasise that living in Covent Garden means that you won’t be far from any of the major West End theatres. In fact, some of the most renowned theatres, such as The London Coliseum (St. Martin’s Lane), Donmar Warehouse (41 Earlham Street), Adelphi Theatre (409 The Strand) and the internationally famous Theatre Royal Drury Lane (Catherine Street) are virtually right on your doorstep.
Covent Garden residents are also a stone’s throw from one of London’s best-loved art galleries, the National Portrait Gallery (2 St. Martin’s Place). For a look at the lighter side of life, letting agents recommend The Covent Garden Comedy Club (The Arches, Villiers Street) for a guaranteed giggle, while The Funny Side ... Of Covent Garden (at the Corner Store, 33 Wellington Street) is a quirky, award-winning local comedy club.
Entertainment
Royal Opera House: 020 7304 4000
The London Coliseum: 020 7632 8300
Donmar Warehouse: 0870 060 6624
Adelphi Theatre: 0870 830 0200
National Portrait Gallery: 020 7306 0055
The Covent Garden Comedy Club: 07960 071 340
The Funny Side ... Of Covent Garden: 0870 446 0616
YOUR LOCAL.....
Supermarket: Tesco Metro, 22 Bedford Street: 020 7853 7500
Locksmith: V&P Fox, 23 Cecil Court: 020 7836 2902
Police: Charing Cross Police Station, Agar Street: 020 7240 1212
Post Office: 24 William IV Street: 0845 722 3344
National Health Service Doctor: Covent Garden Medical Centre, 47 Shorts Gardens: 020 7379 7209
National Health Service Dentist: Covent Garden Dental Clinic, 48a Chandos Place: 020 7836 1847
Dry cleaner and repairer: Seven Dials Dry Cleaners, 37 Monmouth Street: 020 7240 9274
Shoe repairer, key cutting and engraving: Shoe Masters, 202 Shaftesbury Avenue: 020 7497 1213
DID YOU KNOW?
Covent Garden is the only area in London to be licensed for street entertainment, which is why it attracts all the best performers.
Contact one of our estate agents in Covent Garden to get your piece of the cosmopolitan atmosphere that pervades the area (WC2). If you require information on property rentals in the area, our letting agents in Covent Garden will be more than happy to help, call now.