Kati Price, the Marketing and Content Manager at Design Council reveals a glimpse of what Covent Garden has to offer with her personal walking tour which she wrote for LONDON DESIGN GUIDE (the book). Follow her route and you may find some hidden gems within and away from the main bustle of the Covent Garden Piazza.
COVENT GARDEN: Take a Walk with Kati Price
“Start off at Tottenham Court Road, where you can’t miss Centrepoint, one of London’s first skyscrapers, which has a fascinating and controversial history.
Centrepoint, 20-21 St. Giles High Street
Wander down St Giles High Street, cross over into Monmouth Street and pop into Miss Lala’s Boudoir for luxury lingerie, then into Orla Kiely for some of her trademark patterned bags and accessories.
Miss Lala’s Boudoir, 18 Monmouth Street
Orla Kiely, 31 Monmouth Street
Keep an eye out for a passageway that leads you into the hippie oasis of Neal’s Yard and emerge onto Short’s Gardens, where you can sample some 200 cheeses at the world-famous Neal’s Yard Dairy.
Neal’s Yard Diary, 17 Shorts Gardens
After exploring Neal Street, bear left onto Long Acre and walk over to Great Queen Street for some robust British fare, taking in the Art Deco Freemason’s Hall opposite – it serves as the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England.
Freemason’s Hall, 60 Great Queen Street
Head back down Long Acre and bear left into Bow Street which is dominated by the impressive façade of the Royal Opera House.
Royal Opera House, Bow Street
As you turn into Floral Street, look up and you’ll spot the twisting glass Bridge of Aspirations, designed by architects Wilkinson Eyre, which connects the Royal Ballet School with the Opera House.
Bridge of Aspirations
Pick up some treats at Kastner & Ovens as you stroll down Floral Street en route to the Paul Smith store.
Kastner & Ovens, 52 Floral Street
Paul Smith, 40-44 Floral Street
As Floral Street ends you’ll find Covent Garden’s oldest pub, the Lamb & Flag.
Lamb & Flag, 33 Rose Street
After a quick pint, head down James Street into the Piazza, the heart of Covent Garden, designed by Inigo Jones in the 17th century. Formerly a vegetable market, the space now hosts lots of craft and food stalls, boutiques and street entertainers.
Covent Garden Market
After a refreshing frozen yoghurt at Yu-foria, visit the London Transport Museum or head down Russell Street to Drury Lane and Aram, which, in the 60s, first brought furniture by the likes of Marcel Breuer and Le Corbusier to the uk.
Yu-foria, 19 The Market
London Transport Museum, 39 Wellington Street
Aram, 110 Drury Lane
If you’re feeling thirsty, grab a seat at the brilliant Lobby Bar at One Aldwych or head underground to CellarDoor, where you’ll discover drag queens and cabaret crooners in this former Gents toilet.
One Aldwych, 1 Aldwych
Cellar Door, Zero Aldwych
Cross over the Strand and finish your tour at Somerset House – a spectacular spot for ice skating in winter or al fresco drinks and music on the River Terrace in summer.”
Somerset House, Strand
This extract was taken from page 75 of London Design Guide. To enjoy similar tours of other areas in London complete with maps, why not order a copy of the guide?
Tags Covent Garden | Kati Price | LDG extract | page 75 | Take a Walk
