Post pandemic the British high street is not what it was. Its very sad to see the boarded up shops and some more familiar names from my childhood and teenage years like Top Shop moving exclusively online. This is definitely true of London’s Oxford Street where the Top Shop flagship shop once stood and has always been a major destination for both visitors and residents. In particular the stretch between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus has really suffered. Apart from a very large Primark, almost all other fashion retailers have moved out. Between Bond Street and Marble Arch things improve a little, and there is always Selfridges the historic department store.
However my central London choice for shopping is definitely Covent Garden. There is culture, history, some lovely shops both affordable and more high end, and great places to eat and drink. Here are my top tips for where to shop and what to see and do.
Shopping
When I shop, comfort is almost more important than style (almost). I have to be able to walk and explore, I want a bag that fits what I need but is not so big I end up carrying everyone else’s purchases as well. I also want light layers I can easily remove. These were the criteria I used when selecting my outfit below.
My dress which ties at the shoulder is from H&M two seasons ago but try this one from Pour Moi. The straw bag is Primark this season and the black flip flops were from Sainsbury’s. I can’t remember where the denim jacket is from but here is an alternative from Sosander.
You can do worse than meander around the Covent Garden piazza and up to about a mile north of it, discovering all the various shopping opportunities as you go. However here are some key areas not to be missed.
- Seven Dials – has its own dedicated website referring to 90 different shops. The dials refers to the 7 streets that radiate out from it, with Mercer Street heading back down towards Long Acre and the Piazza. Here you will find Club Monaco, Urban Outfitters (especially if you have teens in tow), and also the indigenous Neal’s Yard Remedies which has the nicest smelling natural bath and beauty products.
- Neal Street – take this route from the Piazza, its is a good place for shoe shopping, and you will also encounter Mango at one end as well as the trendy Astrid and Miyu jewellery, if you are looking for jewellery, Monica Vinader is also on the road leading directly to the Piazza
- Langley Street – just east of Langley Street and above Long Acre is a pleasant pedestrianised area with a large H & M, some restaurants and bars and the re-located Stanfords Travel Bookshop which is always worth a browse.
- Long Acre – this is a fairly long stretch with Leicester Square at one end (which I would avoid during peak season) and Queen Street which leads to High Holborn (for Holborn tube at the other) and has a few key favourites including Zara, All Saints, TK Maxx, Reiss, & Other Stories among others
- Floral Street – is pedestrianised and runs west from the Piazza. It has Paul Smith, Ted Baker, Free People, Osman and American Vintage
Culture and History
- Covent Garden Piazza – rather than shopping, this is probably more somewhere to take in the atmosphere, and the aesthetic appeal. You can have a drink or a snack, and listen to the Opera singers or street entertainers (if you like that sort of thing, I don’t really… though I might if I was young or a visitor to London). It has a small craft orientated market within the colonnades as well as Jubilee Market Hall to the south. Surrounding the colonnades are various pop up bars and restaurants in the summer and at Xmas the decorations are some of the best in London.
- St Paul’s, Covent Garden – known affectionately as the Actor’s church not to be confused with St Paul’s Cathedral. While it faces directly on to the west side of the Piazza, it can be accessed from Bedford Street instead. It has summer concerts and other events as well as regular services. It has a garden area (originally part of an Inigo Jones design) where it would be possible to picnic in summer and an attractive (mainly 18th century) interior.
- London Transport Museum – Last time I visited I was supervising a group of over excited 6 year olds on a school trip! They loved it and its a fun and interesting museum for all ages. You definitely don’t have to be a transport nerd to enjoy it. its a great way to get an insight into the history of London and the underground system for example, and has a wide range of all type of vehicles as well as other collections like posters, art, maps and models etc.
- Royal Opera House borders the Piazza to the east with the main entrance on Bow Street. In summer the singers sometimes perform outside in the Piazza, as they did on our visit last week, and there are regular opera singers and other musicians such as string quartets performing and busking all year round in the lower level of the piazza.
Eating and Drinking
This is what I wore out for dinner locally last week, and I would have been very happy to wear this outfit for drinks, lunch or dinner at any of my Covent Garden recommendations below. The cream body is actually a swimming costume from Primark this season, the shrug is from Amazon some years ago. I find these very useful when its not so warm or when I don’t feel like showing my arms. These are similar. If you like the round basket bag, there is a good selection on Amazon too.
- Punch and Judy – lively historic pub on the first floor of the colonnade best for its views over the Piazza
- Lamb and Flag – one of the oldest pubs in London, frequented by Charles Dickens, drink in the atmosphere
- Rock and Sole Plaice – traditional fish and chips in trendy Endell Street with indoor and outdoor seating areas
- The Punjab – one of the best Indian restuarants in London, North Indian cuisine, great food and service
- Wahaca – reliable flavoursome Mexican food with a contemporary edge
- Ecco Pizza – worth the walk up to the top of Drury lane (No 186) for this budget friendly, fresh and easy lunch option
