A restored 19th-century market building and piazza in the West End that mixes shopping, dining and street performance around its glass-roofed Apple Market hall. Street performers have to audition for a licence to perform on the cobbles, so the standard is unusually high. It's also the traditional home of the Royal Opera House, which faces onto the piazza.
Covent Garden Piazza in London's West End was originally designed by Inigo Jones in the 1630s as England's first planned square, and later became the site of the city's principal fruit, vegetable and flower market until it relocated south of the river in 1974. The former market building now houses the Apple Market, where craft traders and antique dealers sell under a Victorian glass-and-iron roof, alongside boutique shops lining Neal Street and James Street. Street performers, licensed to perform in the piazza since 1662 under an unbroken royal charter, entertain crowds around the portico of St Paul's Church, the 'actors' church', throughout the day. The Royal Opera House sits at the piazza's northeast corner, and the London Transport Museum occupies a former flower market hall on the square's edge. A visit typically takes one to two hours of browsing and people-watching, longer if combined with shopping or a meal at one of the many surrounding restaurants. The piazza is at its liveliest on weekend afternoons, while weekday afternoons offer a calmer pace for browsing the market stalls.
| Admission | Free. Apple Market craft traders: free to browse. |
|---|---|
| Hours | Shops and market: Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00; Sun 11:00–18:00. Piazza always open. |
| Typical visit | 1–2 hours |
| Best time | Weekday afternoons for the market; street performers most active 12:00–18:00 daily |
| Getting there | Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line); exit directly onto Long Acre, 2-minute walk |
| Address | Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 8RF |
Location
Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 8RF
51.5117, -0.1233 View on map
Highlights
- Apple Market craft and antique stalls under the Victorian glass roof
- Street performers in the piazza, licensed since 1662
- Royal Opera House at the piazza's northeast corner
- London Transport Museum in a former flower market hall
- Boutique shopping along Neal Street and James Street
Tips for visiting
- Street performances run roughly 12:00-18:00 daily and are free, though performers welcome tips
- Visit weekday afternoons to browse the market without weekend crowds
- Numerous restaurants surround the piazza across a range of budgets
- The market itself is free to enter and browse
- Check the Royal Opera House schedule if combining with an evening performance
When to visit
Weekday afternoons are best for browsing the market; street performers are most active between midday and early evening.
Accessibility
The piazza and surrounding streets are largely flat and step-free; some market stalls sit in a partially covered undercroft with level access.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Covent Garden take?
Most visitors spend one to two hours browsing the market and watching street performers.
Is Covent Garden worth it for kids?
Yes, the street performers and open piazza make it family-friendly.
Is photography allowed at Covent Garden?
Photography is generally allowed, though street performers sometimes ask visitors not to photograph during an act.