London is well known for its lavish array of shopping opportunities. From being home to the busiest shopping high street in Europe – Oxford Circus – to its popular weekend markets in Notting Hill, London offers visitors only the best in clothes, food, accessories and homeware. Guests at the Montcalm Hotel Chiswell Street are well placed to enjoy many shopping districts in the city centre, but today we’ll be focussing on Covent Garden.
The area of the West End known as Covent Garden is an historic market square and shopping district. Dating back hundreds of years, Covent Garden has long been associated with shopping and acts as the city gateway to the West End. Whether you’re passing through on the way to the Montcalm restaurant or you’re visiting specifically for a shopping spree, this guide will explore the best outlets, market stalls, fashion boutiques, pubs and more to explore. Teeming with culture and style, Covent Garden is a must-visit for London shoppers of all shapes and sizes.
Significance Of Covent Garden
Covent Garden has been associated with shopping since 1654 when it became a fruit and vegetable market. Before then, Covent Garden was part of the Bedford Estate but has been part of London’s traditional christianity since the 4th century AD. Covent Garden then, is an integral and long standing part of the city that is a true representation of its character and culture.
Covent Garden Jubilee Market
The Jubilee Market in Covent Garden’s Piazza is a focal point for shopping in the city. The Jubilee Market was built in 1904 and was once a fruit and vegetable selling area. Nowadays, however, it is better associated with arts and crafts, jewellery and a number of permanent shopfronts that focus on everything from skincare to boutique fashion.
Antiques And Collectables
The Antiques And Collectables Market runs every Monday from 5 am to 5 pm and offers a wealth of antique and trinket dealers in London the chance to sell their wares. With everything from homeware and bric a brac to rare books, this is a must for visitors with an interest in British history.
British Made Crafts
The British Crafts market in Jubilee Market takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, providing a wealth of handmade artworks and accessories. From beautiful jewellery to decorations from the home, this weekend market boasts some of London’s best potters, sewers and jewellers.
General Market
The General Market takes place between 10.30 am and 7 pm from Tuesdays to Fridays and is the perfect place for guests of luxury hotels in London to find gifts and souvenirs from their trip to London. Here you’ll find greeting cards and postcards alongside niche items such as stalls dedicated to Japanese anime figurines and handmade wooden pens and stationery.
Moomin Shop
Inspired by Tove Jansson’s fantastical creations, the Moomin Shop in Covent garden’s Jubilee Market is an homage to the world of these hippos – or are they cows? Whatever the Moomins are, they have a lot of accessories, storybooks, homeware and clothing inspired by them. Much of these kitsch yet fashionable wares can be found at London’s flagship Moomin shop.
Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop
Located in the market square, this cute toy shop sells everything from retro toys to educational tools for children. Adult visitors and children alike will enjoy perusing the toy theatre sets and shadow boxes, inspiring creativity and education simultaneously. On top of this, visitors can find puppet sets, story books for children and much more to inspire play and imagination at this one of a kind toy shop.
Neal’s Yard
Neal’s Yard is quite possibly Covent Garden’s prettiest shopping area, hidden away in a small square beside the Seven Dials. The multicoloured shopping area is home to a wealth of independent boutiques, eateries and cafes and can be easily overlooked by Covent Garden shoppers.
Things To Do In Neal’s Yard
Neal’s Yard has a diverse selection of shops and eateries, including Neal’s Yard Skin Remedies that sells, well, skin care products. Southern-born restaurant Bill’s serves up rustic comfort food and brunch menus, whilst the Wild Food Cafe is a great example of modern vegan and vegetarian fare. Crisp and relaxing wine awaits at Compagnie de Vins Surnaturels whilst Neal’s Yard Dairy is a favourite for cheese-lovers.
Shops Of Covent Garden
It’s not just markets that make Covent Garden such a popular shopping destination, it’s its selection of well known brands and independent boutiques that also stand out. The area of Seven Dials also incorporates West End theatres billing the likes of Matilda The Musical as well as offices, dance studios and even the London Film School. It’s worth remembering that this historic district was once brimming with warehouses and factories, many of which have now been developed into high end apartments, trendy offices and shop fronts.
Whilst guests of the Montcalm Royal London House might want to learn more about the history of the area during their visit, you’ll no doubt want to at least browse the following selection of Covent Garden stores.
Apple Store
Probably the largest of its kind in London, the Apple Store on Covent Garden Square is a one stop shop for all your tech needs – well, Apple tech anyway. You’ll find the latest gadgets and hardware here, all interactive and guided by the Apple Genius team, tech wizards who are on hand to help you make the right purchase.
Fred Perry
Situated on the Seven Dials, Fred Perry is a quintessentially British fashion brand that has stormed the country’s political and cultural scene since 1952. Expect men and women’s wear at the Covent outlet, alongside sales and discounts abound.
Glossier
Glossier has quickly become a social media success story, having started online and promoted through Instagram, subtle makeup and skincare brand Glossier now has its own high street store in the heart of Covent Garden. Whatever your skin tone, Glossier prides itself on finding the right product for your skincare and makeup needs, and with2.6 million followers online, it’s about time they had their own London store!
