neighbouring areas
A mixture of historical charm and vibrant energy makes Covent Garden a charming, lively and creative place to live.
Living in Covent Garden
Covent Garden is famous for many things, among them the Royal Opera House, street artists and a constant throng of tourists and shoppers.
During the past decade Covent Garden has become increasingly popular as a residential destination, and the area has undergone a massive change in terms of residential property. Some 30 developments have occurred - some newly-built and some converted from offices to flats. Flats form the bulk of property in Covent Garden, both old and new.
Streets off the Piazza, such as King Street and Henrietta Street, are in high demand and provide great views over the gardens of St Paul's Church. Harlequin Court on Tavistock Street is representative of the new developments, whilst The Glasshouse on Shaftesbury Avenue is one of the more recent commercial-to-residential projects.
Those who prefer more traditional properties will find older red-brick mansion blocks around Drury Lane, such as Broad Court and Mallett Court. At the top end of the market there are flats in the converted Cameron Mackintosh costume warehouse on Macklin Street.
If you fancy being in the centre of the capital, living amongst some great architecture that's close to excellent transport links and having 'The Ivy' as your local restaurant then this could be the place for you.
Transport
The area is a transport hub, with tube stations at Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Embankment, Tottenham Court Road and Holborn covering the Piccadilly, Northern, Central, and District and Circle lines.
Mainline trains run from Charing Cross Station.
Additionally the area has a good supply of bus routes, including night buses. For a full list of bus routes visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/
History and culture
Eliza Doolittle, the flower-selling cockney heroine of My Fair Lady is first seen in front of "The Actors' Church", St Paul's in Covent Garden, facing London's fruit and vegetable market. The fruit and veg have gone, but food - as well as theatre, opera and ballet - is still central to the area.
London's oldest restaurant, Rules, dating from 1798, is in Maiden Lane, and Maggiore's in King Street is perfect for well-heeled dating couples.
Eliza famously dreamt of "a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air". For people with a love of the stage, there is nowhere better to live than Covent Garden. You are as likely to live next door to a stage hand as to a merchant banker.
For further information visit www.westminster.gov.uk; www.coventgardenmarket.co.uk/; www.maggiores.uk.com
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