The area is defined by Charing Cross Road/Shaftesbury Avenue, High Holborn, Kingsway and the Strand.
Covent Garden belonged to the Abbey at Westminster until the Reformation when it was granted, along with a field called Long Acre, to the Earl of Bedford. In the 1630s the 4th Earl commisssioned Inigo Jones to built fine houses around a square and St Paul's Church. In 1662 Charles II granted charters to the Theatre Royal and Covent Garden Theatre (now Royal Opera House). The growth of the fruit and vegetable market, with shops being built in the 1670s made the area less attractive and premises became coffee houses, lodging houses and brothels. As the market grew, especially after re-building in the 1830s many premises in the area became businesses associated with the trade. The market moved out to Nine Elms in 1974 and the area was re-developed by the GLC.

	WHEN TO GO Stalls in the Jubilee Market vary with the days of the week The Royal Opera House is open to the public 10am-3:30pm Monday - Saturday The Freemasons' Hall is closed Saturdays & Sundays
	GETTING THERE Covent Garden (Piccadilly) is the most central station but relies on lifts and is closed when it becomes too busy for safety reasons. Leicester Square (Piccadilly/Northern) and Holborn (Piccadilly/Central) are to the west and NE respectively. To access the area from Charing Cross (Bakerloo/Northern & mainline) go right along the Strand and left into Bedford Street. Travelcard Zone 1
	INFORMATION Pick up 'In & Around Covent Garden' a free magazine from local outlets such as St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. There is also an associated website. Read my article on the history of some Covent Garden pubs. Research the history of the area at Westminster Archives [details]
	WALKS I have devised a Covent Garden route [details] or just wander around. It is a fairly compact area with lots of interest. There is a map in the centre of 'In & Around Covent Garden' if you get lost or want to find anything in particular.
	PLACES TO VISIT FREEMASONS' HALL 60 Great Queen Street. Tel 020 7395 9258 The museum and library is open weekdays 10-5. Free LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB Tel: 020 7379 6344. Lots to see. Tickets are valid for a year's admission. Free for under 18s. Open 10-6 (11am Fridays).
	ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Street entertainers around the central area ST MARTIN-in-the-FIELDS CHURCH Trafalgar Square Tel 020 7766 1100 Free lunchtime music most Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays FREEMASON'S HALL 60 Great Queen Street. Tel 020 7395 9258 Guided tours are available round the building at certain times. Free
	EATING OUT The churchyard garden of St Pauls (entry from all sides). Cheap eats in Jubilee Market Toilets alongside St Pauls Church or in venues
	SHOPPING/MARKETS Plenty! Conventional and specialist shops with central markets. Thomas Neal's in Earlham Street. Stanfords in Long Acre stocks maps, guides etc for London and everywhere else.
	CHURCHES ST MARTIN-in-the-FIELDS Trafalgar Square Tel 020 7766 1100 Present church 1722-6 by James Gibb. It is well used for concerts and has a gallery, cafe and shop in the crypt. It provides facilities and support for the homeless. ST PAULS Covent Garden Tel 020 7836 5221 Designed by Inigo Jones for the 4th Earl of Bedford in 1631-3. Known as the 'Actors' Church'. The portico provides the setting for the opening scene of Shaw's 'Pygmalion'. Punch & Judy shows originated in Covent Garden (plaque) and a special church service is held in early May. CROWN COURT CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Russell Street Tel 020 7836 5643 Present building dates to 1909 and shares a wall with the Fortune Theatre. It has a number of memorial windows. Services are held Sundays and Thursday lunchtimes.
	GREEN SPACES The churchyard garden of St Pauls The Phoenix community garden in Stacey Street
	WORTH SEEING Inside the Freemasons' Hall on a tour (see events) Former carriage works now occupied by GAP in Long Acre Picturesque 18th century shop fronts in Goodwins Court The splendid late Victorian 'Salisbury' pub in St Martins Lane Tim Hunkin's water clock in Shorts Garden (sadly not working)

london-footprints.co.uk 2016

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