A Perfect Day in Covent Garden

One way to spend a full day here, from morning browsing to a show in the evening.

There’s no single correct way to do Covent Garden, but this is a reasonable order: start with a browse and a coffee before the crowds build, spend the afternoon somewhere with real history, eat before the show rather than after, and end at one of the theatres a few minutes’ walk from wherever you started.

  1. 1

    Stanfords

    Start the day with a browse through the world's largest map and travel bookshop before the Piazza gets busy.

    7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9FA

  2. 2

    Monmouth Coffee Company

    A short walk away for a coffee made from beans roasted days earlier at the original Covent Garden shop.

    27 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9EU

  3. 3

    London Transport Museum

    Spend the early afternoon here, in the former Victorian flower market building on the Piazza.

    Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BB

  4. 4

    Homeslice

    A relaxed, unhurried spot for an early dinner if your evening isn't built around a curtain time.

    13 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9DP

  5. 5

    Lyceum Theatre

    End the day with Disney's The Lion King, on stage here since 1999.

    21 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7DN