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Top 10: Covent Garden
One of london's liveliest areas, Covent Garden is a popular destination for Londoners and tourists alike. At its heart is the capital's first planned square, laid out in the 17th century by Inigo Jones and recently completed by the addition of the imperious, pearly-white Royal Opera House. In spite of such grandeur, there is still a local feel to the surrounding streets and lanes, especially around Neal's Yard and Endell Street. To the south of Covent Garden is another recently developed institution, Somerset House, which contains the Courtauld Gallery and two other major galleries. To get the full impact of the imposing riverside setting, enter from the Embankment side.
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1. The Piazza and Central Market
For 300 years, Covent Garden was a fruit, vegetable and flower market – immortalized by Lerner and Loewe's hit musical My Fair Lady. In 1980 the Victorian halls, with their lovely iron and glass roofs, were transformed into a vibrant, modern-day market place, surrounded by café and bars and enlivened by regular street entertainment.
- WC2
2. Royal Opera House
London's impressive premier music venue is home to both the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet Companies. The present Neo-Classical theatre was designed in 1858 by E M Barry and incorporated a portico frieze recovered from the previous building, which had been destroyed by fire. The Opera House has recently spread its wings into the lovely Floral Hall, once part of Covent Garden market and now housing a champagne bar.
- Bow Street WC2
- Open to visitors 10am–3:30pm
3. Courtauld Gallery
Founded in 1932 for the study of the history of European art, the Courtauld is part of Britain's oldest institute for teaching the history of art. Located in the North Block of Somerset House the gallery rooms are particularly strong on Impressionist paintings. Each Tuesday at 1:15pm there is a free talk on one of the paintings in the exhibition.
- Strand WC2
- Open 10am–6pm daily
- Admission charge
4. Somerset House
Once a grand riverside palace, and later home to the Navy Board, Somerset House is now partly occupied by the Civil Service. A large amount of the building, though, is open to the public. Aside from the Courtauld Gallery it houses the Gilbert Collection of decorative art and the Hermitage Rooms, which display a collection of art from the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.
- Strand WC2
- Open 10am–6pm daily
5. Photographers' Gallery
The main galleries of this major photographic showcase are at No. 8, where there is also a bookshop. At No. 5, a black-tiled building where the artist Sir Joshua Reynolds once lived, there is a small exhibition area, a café and a sale room offering vintage, modern and contemporary photographic work.
- 5 & 8 Gt Newport Street WC2
- Open 11am–6pm Mon–Sat, noon–6pm Sun
- Free
6. Theatre Museum
Right in the heart of theatreland, this museum thrives on regular exhibitions and events, including costume workshops and make-up demonstrations. The galleries chart the development of British theatre from Shakespeare's day. Buy a ticket for a combined tour of the museum and the Theatre Royal.
- Russell Street WC1
- Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun
- Free
- www.theatremuseum.org
7. London Transport Museum
Some of the most innovative British designers have worked for London Transport, and their posters and furnishings are on display here. See vehicles that have served the city for two centuries. The bookshop is great for souvenirs: model buses, trains, taxis and the distinctive London Underground symbol on anything that will sell.
- The Piazza WC2
- Open 10am–6pm Sat–Thu, 11am–6pm Fri
- Admission charge
8. Neal's Yard
This delightful enclave is full of colour, with painted lofts and shop fronts, flower-filled window-boxes and oil-drums and cascades of plants tumbling down the old brick walls. This is alternative London, with wholefoods and such alternative therapies as Chinese medicines, walk-in back rubs, acupuncture and self-esteem training. Try the wholesome bread and cakes at Neal's Yard Bakery and be amazed by the variety of British cheeses on offer in nearby Neal's Yard Dairy.
- Neal Street WC2
9. St Paul's Church
Inigo Jones built this church (known as the actors' church) with the main portico facing east, onto the Piazza, and the altar at the west end. Clerics objected to this unorthodox arrangement, so the altar was moved. The entrance is via the west portico while the grand east door is essentially a fake.
- Bedford Street WC2
10. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Drury Lane is synonymous with the London stage and this glorious theatre explains why. It has a splendid entrance, with magnificent stairways leading to the circle seats. The auditorium is large enough to put on the biggest musical extravaganzas, including South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly and Miss Saigon. The first theatre on this site was built in 1663 for Charles II whose mistress Nell Gwynne trod the boards.
- Catherine Street WC2
- Guided tours
