10 things to see and do in Covent Garden

My first proper job after graduating University was working for a PR agency based in Covent Garden and I loved it. Covent Garden has always been one of my favourite places to be in London. I love the buzz and the mix of delicious  restaurants, amazing shops and brilliant entertainers so getting to work in the middle of it all was a great experience. It also meant I got to know the area really well. Which is why I thought I’d share my knowledge with this 10 things to see and do in Covent Garden post:

1. You can’t visit Covent Garden without walking around the piazza enjoying the free entertainment before heading inside the market building to explore some great food and craft stalls
2. Although there are some great shops in he market Building there’s also a lot of amazing shops along Floral Street
3. If you’re after a cheeky cocktail or two then it has to be the Covent Garden Cocktail Club. This is a members club but you’ll be pleased to hear the membership is free! Just visit their website before your visit to register.
4. If you’re after some ‘culture’ then head over to the Royal Opera House to see world class performances from the Royal Opera or Royal Ballet companies or take a tour backstage to see what happens behind-the-scenes.
5. If transport is more your thing then you have to head to the British Transport Museum to explore the then-ad-now of one of the world’s oldest public transportation systems that we call the tube.
6. If you want to do some celeb spotting then I suggest you head over to the Covent Garden Hotel. Their bar is gorgeous, they have their own private cinema and rumour has it that’s where Johnny Depp stays when he’s in London. Equally if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle then definitely pay a visit to the Rosewood Hotel, it’s a gorgeous hotel with some amazing restaurant and spa treatments on offer.
7. If you’re after even more celeb spotting then you can always head to lunch or dinner at the Ivy and see who can rub shoulders with there.
8. It’s hard to believe it but Covent Garden was originally one of London’s biggest slums. If you want a taste of history then why not head to London’s oldest restaurant Rules on Maiden Lane.
9. Make sure you head down Neal Street and Shorts Garden to find Neal’s Yard – a tucked away courtyard offering delights including the original Neal’s Year Diary for amazing cheeses and Neal’s Yard Remedies for organic skincare.
10. And finally you can’t visit Covent Garden without heading over and exploring Seven Dials – the historic intersection of seven streets, each offering a wealth of retail and gourmet goodies.

What’s your favourite thing to see and do in Covent Garden?