Staying in Covent Garden
The useful distinction here is between the pedestrian streets around the market and the roads carrying traffic toward the Strand. A room on an upper floor can still catch street performances or late departures from theaters. Before booking, locate the entrance on a map and check whether your window faces a courtyard, a service lane or a main road.
At a glance
- Best for
- A first visit, theater
- At night
- Lively until late
- Getting around
- Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Holborn
- Price level
- €€€€
The theaters, the Piazza and the National Gallery on foot, at the price of the West End.
Good for
- A first trip of two to four nights
- Theatre, with a walk home afterwards
- Walking to the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square and the river
Think twice if
- You want value: this is one of London's dearest areas
- You sleep lightly and the room faces the Piazza or a main street
- You want to feel you are somewhere local
What is near Covent Garden
Seven Dials
Walk about 5 minutes from the market to the junction of seven streets, then explore the smaller lanes around Earlham Street.
Somerset House
About 10 minutes away on foot, its courtyard makes a useful pause between the Strand and the riverside.
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Allow 15 minutes to reach this large square via Great Queen Street, with benches for a break from busy pavements.
Eating in Covent Garden
Pre-theater menus are common, but check when the table must be returned before settling in. Rules is on Maiden Lane. For a simpler meal, look along Wellington Street or toward Drury Lane, where you can compare menus away from the market's busiest pedestrian routes.
Getting around from Covent Garden
Covent Garden station serves the Piccadilly line, with lifts and stairs between street level and the platforms. Leicester Square adds the Northern line about 5 minutes away. Holborn, roughly 10 minutes away, gives access to the Central line as well as the Piccadilly line.
Hotels in Covent Garden
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Other areas of London
Staying in Covent Garden
Which streets should I check before booking a room?
Check the exact position on the Strand, Long Acre and streets beside theater exits. Ask the accommodation which direction the room faces and whether it has secondary glazing.
Can I walk here from Waterloo?
Yes. Allow about 20 minutes via Waterloo Bridge, with extra time if you stop for river views or have luggage.
Is Covent Garden station convenient with a suitcase?
The station uses lifts, but it does not provide a fully step-free route to the trains. Check station accessibility before choosing your route.