Overview
Covent Garden's history is woven into the very fabric of London's identity. On this self-guided walking tour, you'll discover the surprising origins of this world-famous district, uncovering a past filled with bustling markets, theatrical scandals, and revolutionary policing innovations that lie hidden beneath the touristy veneer. You’ll explore the elegant piazza designed by Inigo Jones in the 1630s as London’s first formal square, and wander through the market building where fresh produce was traded for over 300 years. You’ll find out how the aristocratic vision for the area gave way quickly to a vibrant market culture that defined Covent Garden for centuries. I’ll tell you how the area transformed from daytime marketplace to London’s most notorious red-light district after sunset, with taverns and brothels earning it the nickname the “Square of Venus.“ You’ll also hear stories about famous actors, writers, and musicians who lived and worked here, from Charles Dickens to Mozart.
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
