Few parts of London pack as much into as small a space as Covent Garden. Markets, museums, theatres, shops and some of the city's best-known restaurants sit within a few minutes' walk of one another, which makes the area ideal for a full and unhurried day on foot. Here is one way to spend it, from a morning coffee in the Piazza to the final curtain of a West End show, without ever needing a bus or a train.
Morning: the Piazza and the market
Start in the Piazza before the crowds build. The restored market halls hold craft, antique and handmade stalls beneath their iron and glass roofs, and the surrounding cafes are good for a first coffee. Take in St Paul's, the Actors' Church, on the west side of the square, and watch the licensed street performers who have entertained here for generations. It is the classic Covent Garden scene, and the early hours are the calmest time to enjoy it before the day's footfall arrives.
In a single day, and without ever needing a bus or a train, Covent Garden gives you markets, museums, shopping, dinner and a night at the theatre.
Midday: museums and shopping
On the east side of the Piazza, the London Transport Museum tells the story of the city's buses, trams and Underground through historic vehicles and design, and is a reliable hit with families. From there, wander north towards Seven Dials, where seven streets meet at a sundial pillar and independent boutiques fill the surrounding blocks. Break for lunch wherever takes your fancy, from a market counter to a proper sit-down table on Henrietta or King Street.
Afternoon: courts, corners and coffee
The afternoon is for wandering. Seek out Neal's Yard, a small and colourful courtyard off Monmouth Street, and follow the quieter side streets and passages that thread through the area. This is where Covent Garden rewards curiosity, with hidden shops, historic pubs and quiet corners a street away from the busy squares. Stop for tea, coffee or an early drink when you need a pause, and let the route find itself rather than planning every step.
With children, or if it rains
The area works just as well for families and in poor weather. The London Transport Museum is built for children, with vehicles to climb aboard and plenty to do under cover. The market halls are largely roofed, so shopping and street performance carry on rain or shine, and a matinee at one of the family musicals turns a wet afternoon into a highlight. A little planning around the covered spaces means bad weather need not spoil the day.
Evening: dinner and the theatre
Covent Garden is theatreland, so an evening here almost asks for a show. Book dinner at one of the area's restaurants, tell them your curtain time, and eat early before walking to one of the many nearby theatres, from the Royal Opera House to the smaller West End playhouses. Afterwards, the pubs and bars stay lively for a final drink. It is a rare thing to find so complete a day held within a few walkable streets, and it is exactly what has drawn visitors to Covent Garden for generations.