Starting as an old Roman settlement, Covent Garden has evolved from London's premier fruit and vegetable market into a world famous forum of boutiques, opera houses and street entertainment. We explore the hidden back streets and squares, before exploring the famous piazza. On Mondays we can explore the Jubilee antiques market.
We take a short walk to the underground station where we travel to the East End-home to the best of London's markets. Spitalfields is a great covered market regenerated recently by Sir Norman Foster to provide boutiques and numerous fashion stalls. This is often where the next big name in fashion starts their career! We also explore nearby Brick Lane, Petticoat Lane or the famous Sunday flower market at Columbia Road. London at its most colourful!
There is time to enjoy lunch at one of the many stalls, pubs and quirky restaurants around the market.
We will then take a short walk through the financial centre and one of its finest elliptical squares complete with a lawn bowls club in the middle! We go underground as we head towards Camden Market. Approaching from Chalk Farm station, home to the famous Marine Ices and the Roundhouse music venue we approach the markets from the quieter end. Passing the famous Bar Fly music venue, and rows of quaintly painted houses we enter the Stables Market. Traditionally home to the alternative sub-cultures, Camden has something for everyone and with chain stores still banned, the unique independent flavour continues.
We finish our trip at a waterside pub, where we can refresh ourselves before exploring the extensive markets further, or enjoying some of the live music or comedy available in the area.
Please note on Saturdays we have an alternative itinerary, where we head West to Portobello Road replacing the Spitalfields section of the trip. Home to bohemian antiques sellers, vintage fashion, and gourmet food stalls we can also help you find that infamous "blue door" and the book shop where Julia Roberts found her man. We continue to finish at Camden Market as normal.
Please also note that due to the nature of markets, weekend trips can be very busy, but with a real London buzz!
*For your city experience you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Tour duration: 7-8 hours
Pickup time: 10:00AM
Pickup location: Covent Garden Tube station, outside M&S's entrance (across the road from the station)
Drop-off time: 5:00 PM
Drop-off location: Camden Lock Market
This tour does NOT depart on 24 Apr 2011, 24 Dec 2011, 25 Dec 2011, 26 Dec 2011 and 27 Dec 2011.