Location: Covent Garden
Top Things to do in Covent Garden
5 Historic Sites in Covent Garden That You Shouldn't Miss
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
Restaurants in London
1. Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
'Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Maiden Lane is the Westminster Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, situated in the heart of Covent Garden in central London. Opened in 1874 by Cardinal Manning, the church has recently undergone extensive restoration and was reopened in 2018 by Cardinal Nichols. The Church is open every day from 7:30am - approx. 7pm, with daily Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions. Also known as the Actors' Church, this 'hidden gem' of Covent Garden is a sanctuary of prayerful peace and calm amidst the chaos of a busy city. Mgr Ronald Knox preached here for many years and the church also features in Graeme Greene's novel 'The End of the Affair'. Corpus Christi is open to all.'
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
While walking along Maiden Lane, we found this lovely Catholic Church. It is the Westminster Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, and was elevated to this dignity by Cardinal Nichols in 2018. The church was just stunningly beautiful. It was built in 1874 as an act of reparation for sins. One of the early parish priests was Fr. Francis Stanfield, who wrote two famous hymns: “Sweet Sacrament Divine” and “O Sacred Heart.” As home to the Catholic Association for Performing Arts, Corpus Christi has also become known as the Actors’ Church, providing a home for Catholic Actors performing in Covent Garden and around the West End. About two years ago they began the Sodality of the Blessed Sacrament, which encourages devotion to the Mass and the Eucharist. We visited in early January and were so pleased to see the church still decorated for Christmas, including the Nativity Set. The church is usually open every day from around 8:00 am until around 7:00 pm. Don’t miss this church. The closest Tube station is Covent Garden.
2. The Gramophone Company Plaque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By 968nicholash - London, United Kingdom
This Westminster Green Plaque marks the premises where Europe's first record recording studio was opened in 1898 by Fred Gaisberg under the trading name 'The Gramophone Company'. The studio was run by a handful of early recording pioneers with big dreams and limited resources. Just over three decades later, The Gramophone Company changed its name to EMI and opened a new studio at Abbey Road, now rightly famous as the place where the Beatles and many other stars recorded their best work. The plaque was unveiled on the 4th December 2019 by Roger Taylor, best known as the drummer in the rock band Queen. It marks probably the single most important site in the UK music industry's history and is an absolute must see for music fans.
3. St. Paul's Church (The Actors' Church)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By durham05 - Durham, United Kingdom
Enjoyed my visit here. You have to really look for the church as it's easy to miss. Inside there are lots of monuments to famous actors, some very recent indeed. Very beautiful and peaceful. Well worth checking out.
4. Strand
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Travelling_SE_Asia - St. Albans, United Kingdom
Not only is Strand famous from Monopoly (the real Monopoly, not the American version), there's plenty to do and see. The main attractions on Strand are: - The Royal Courts of Justice - St Clement Danes (oranges and lemons said the bells of St Clement) - The four statues around St Clements - St Mary Le Strand and many more architectural buildings, including the entrance to Somerset House.
5. Strand Lane 'Roman' Bath, London
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 36 reviews
Roman baths in London? The baths at 5 Strand Lane in London have been reported since the 1830s as a Roman survival. But they're actually the remaining portion of a cistern built in 1612 to feed a fountain in the gardens of the old Somerset House, then a royal palace. A London curiosity, owned by the National Trust and administered by Westminster City Council.
