A mini guide to
Fourteen places that define Soho and Covent Garden
Top places
Mix a few of these with the theatre and a good meal and you have a full, varied day. Times are rough guides to help you plan.
Laid out by Inigo Jones in the 17th century, the piazza is the neighbourhood's beating heart. The covered market building dates from the 1830s and holds craft stalls, shops and cafés, with more stalls in the Apple Market and Jubilee Market.
Licensed street performers work the piazza most days, usually in front of St Paul's Church. Acts range from opera singers and jugglers to magicians and comedians, and the crowd is part of the show.
A quiet garden and a church full of memorials to actors and performers, just steps from the crowds. It is free to visit and an easy place to take a breather.
A hands-on look at how the Tube, buses and trams shaped the city, with vintage vehicles and the famous poster collection. Very popular with families and with anyone about to use the Tube.
Home of The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, with a glass-roofed Floral Hall and daily tours that reveal how a world-class stage works behind the scenes.
A hidden courtyard of brightly painted buildings, with wholefood cafés and shops, tucked between Monmouth Street and Shorts Gardens. A favourite for photographs and relaxed lunches.
Seven streets meet at a column topped with sundials. Today the surrounding streets are known for independent shops, boutiques and the Seven Dials Market food hall.
Gerrard Street and the streets around it are lined with lanterns, Chinese restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets. It is the best-known Chinatown in the UK and is especially lively at Lunar New Year.
Cinemas, film premieres and the Official London Theatre ticket booth (formerly TKTS), which sells on-the-day and advance tickets, some at a discount. It is busy and a little touristy, but central and convenient for everything else.
Soho's main street, packed with cafés, delis and bars, and long the centre of London's LGBTQ+ nightlife. It feels lively from morning coffee to the small hours.
The pedestrian streets around Carnaby Street have been famous for fashion since the 1960s. Today it mixes independent boutiques with flagship brands, and the decorations at Christmas are well known.
One of London's oldest street markets, with fruit and vegetable stalls, street food and record shops. A good lunch stop in the middle of Soho.
The legendary jazz club on Frith Street has hosted great musicians since 1959. Book ahead for an evening of live music and a dinner table close to the stage.
A leafy square with benches and lawns, popular with local workers at lunchtime. It is a calm contrast to the streets around it and a handy meeting point.
A ready-made day
Top places
Landmarks, museums, parks and viewpoints in and around the neighbourhood.
Nothing here matches your needs yet. Turn a chip off to see everything.
Inigo Jones's 17th-century piazza, with a covered market of craft stalls, shops and cafés.
Directions Report a problem with Covent Garden Piazza & Market
Licensed buskers work the piazza most days, from opera singers to jugglers and magicians.
A church full of memorials to actors, with a quiet garden just steps from the crowds. Free to visit.
Directions Report a problem with St Paul's Church, "the Actors' Church"
Vintage Tube trains, buses and trams, and the famous poster collection. A hit with families.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
Home of The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, with a glass-roofed Floral Hall and backstage tours.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
A courtyard of brightly painted buildings, wholefood cafés and shops, between Monmouth Street and Shorts Gardens.
Seven streets meet at a sundial column, ringed by independent shops and the Seven Dials Market food hall.
Lanterns, Chinese restaurants and bakeries along Gerrard Street. Especially lively at Lunar New Year.
Cinemas, film premieres and the Official London Theatre ticket booth (formerly TKTS) for on-the-day tickets. Busy but central.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
Soho's main street of cafés, delis and bars, long the centre of London's LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Famous for 1960s fashion, now independent boutiques and flagship brands, with well-known Christmas lights.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
One of London's oldest street markets, with produce stalls, street food and record shops.
The jazz club on Frith Street, hosting live music since 1959. Book ahead.
According to OpenStreetMap contributors. Check with the venue before you go.
A leafy square with lawns and benches, popular at lunchtime and a handy meeting point.
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