London - Covent Garden

The Covent Garden quarter, only a 15-minute walk from Piccadilly, is a remarkable concentration of delicatessen shops, fashion boutiques, craft stalls and specialized shops of all kinds. A new chapter has begun in the 300 years history of the former flower and vegetable market on Covent Garden. After the removal of the market to a more convenient site in 1974 a violent dispute arose between the municipal authorities, who wanted to pull down the old market, and the local people who were concerned to preserve the familiar aspect of the quarter and find other uses for the old market halls and warehouses.

The local people won, and, although they could not prevent plans to extend the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden has come to life again. One of the old warehouses is used for storing the properties of the Royal Opera House (opened 1732). In another an interesting antiques and junk market is held every Monday. The Central Hall houses a shopping center, offering a variety of goods, open to 8 pm.