Hotels in & around Covent Garden

Located on the east side of London's West End, Covent Garden is home to an eclectic mix of shops, some fine eateries, the London Transport Museum and the Royal Opera House. The heart of the area is the historic Covent Garden Piazza, with flagship stores for brands like Apple and Oakley, along with a market selling handcrafted and unique items.

At the end of the twelfth century, the Abbott of Westminster Abbey walled off an area of fields. He called them "the garden of the Abbey and Convent", which was later known as "The Convent Garden". Following the dissolution of the monasteries, the land was given to the Duke of Bedford. The name lost a 'n' and changed to Covent Garden. In the seventeenth century, the fourth Duke of Bedford had a posh square built there and a fruit and veg market was established on the south side of the piazza.

By the mid-eighteenth century, the market had a permanent hall, and the area was notorious for its brothels and prostitution. The prostitutes have long gone, the market has relocated to Nine Elms. Today the area is a vibrant mix of shops, bars, and restaurants. Given its central location and access to transport links, it is a great place for a holiday in London.