Alex Monroe

Alex Monroe is the flagship boutique of the British jewellery designer of the same name, set on Floral Street in Covent Garden. The interior arranges the collections among antique props and vintage curiosities rather than a plain retail fit-out, with a dedicated fine jewellery room and the boutique's well-known Bee Wall display, which has become one of the brand's signatures.

Alex Monroe grew up in the Suffolk countryside of the 1970s and trained at the School of Art, Architecture and Design before establishing the business in 1986, with the aim of making originally designed jewellery by hand at fair prices. Four decades on, the founder remains Creative Director, and every piece is still designed and handmade in England by Alex and the brand's own team of makers in its London workshops. The first boutique opened in 2011 beneath the studio at Snowsfields near London Bridge; Floral Street is the Covent Garden home.

Handmade jewellery in Covent Garden

The boutique carries the full range of handmade jewellery in the nature-inspired style the brand is known for: necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets drawing on flowers, insects, leaves and other natural forms. Pieces are made in sterling silver and gold plate, with a solid 18ct gold fine jewellery line and a bespoke service for engagement and wedding rings in 18ct gold or platinum. Responsibly sourced options include Fairmined gold, and homeware such as drawer handles and bottle stoppers extends the same design language beyond jewellery.

What to expect on a visit

Seasonally changing window and interior displays use vintage and handmade props curated by the team, so the shop looks different through the year, and the fine jewellery room gives space to view higher-value pieces quietly with staff on hand to advise. The boutique opens seven days a week, with later hours on Thursdays and Saturdays, and Covent Garden station is the nearest stop. For more Covent Garden jewellers, see Astley Clarke on Monmouth Street or browse the full list of jewellers in Covent Garden.