Covent Garden in North London is a hub of activity with gleaming, stylish shops, down-to-earth market traders, live music and street entertainment any day of the week. It's been this way since the early 17th century, when imported, exotic goods were bought from sailors coming up the Thames to Embankment and sold in the piazza which was the first public square in the country, and soon became a semi-official open-air market. The West End's famous 'Theatreland' began with one theatre in Drury Lane in 1663, and Samuel Pepys' diary contains the first ever written record of a Punch and Judy show, seen here around the same time.
In one form or another, the lively, bustling atmosphere for shopping and culture alike has remained in Covent Garden and shows no signs of fading today. It's now the only place in London officially licensed for street entertainment, and the piazza now houses a covered market which changes from day to day, along with a host of popular cafés and shops mostly selling gifts and jewellery. Nearby Neal Street is packed with shoe shops catering for tastes from the classic to the cutting edge, while Long Acre is the place to be for womens wear and fashion boutiques.
There's a wealth of excellent food stores including the renowned Neal's Yard Dairy and Carluccio's deli where thousands of Christmas shoppers pick up their panettone each year. Godiva, the Belgian master chocolatiers, have a shop on Russell Street stuffed with indulgent treats which make beautifully presented gifts.
High-maintenance ladies, and anyone needing a little pampering, are well catered for in Covent Garden by the attentive specialist staff of The Sanctuary, Origins, Lush and Neal's Yard Skincare. The finishing touches come courtesy of MAC, Space NK and young independent Pout Cosmetics - veritable temples to beauty, high-gloss glamour and fun. Also not to be missed is the flagship store of B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful, the kitschy, flirtatious little sister to the hugely successful Lush. Inspired by French perfumeries and Moroccan souks, B's playful, decadent make-up and fragrances come in gorgeous bejewelled little pots and everything's ethical and vegan.
In fact, it's difficult to imagine who wouldn't find something to delight and distract for a few hours in Covent Garden. It's full of surprises and curiosity is rewarded by delving into doorways and discovering the weird and wonderful: from the burlesque boudoir ambience of Sam Roddick's 'erotic emporium', Coco de Mer, to Segar and Snuff, the one-stop shop for pipe and cigar aficionados where you're encouraged to create your own unique blend from their staggering range of scented tobaccos.
However, there's so much more to the area than just shopping - it's at the heart of Theatreland and also brilliant for bars, pubs and international food. Neal Street was home to the legendary Roxy which launched the careers of the Clash, the Jam and the Buzzcocks in the 70s, so the local musicians you see in Covent Garden today could be the superstars of tomorrow! There are several museums and galleries and it's within easy walking distance of Embankment, Hyde Park and Oxford Circus for more of London's most loved sights. Thankfully there are many varied and stylish hotels in Covent Garden and the surrounding area, making it a perfect destination for a city shopping, sightseeing or cultural break.
Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Regan
No comments:
Post a Comment