***************************************************

Covent Garden: There are two main sections to this shopper’s heaven – one with permanent shops and places to eat, the other with an array of stalls whose contents change according to the day of the week.  Woolen goods, jewelry or other handcrafted items may be the order of the day.  Street performers ply their trade in the surrounding square and on the street leading to the Covent Garden Tube station.  The London Transport Museum is also located here on the square, as is a five-story Doc Martens store.  All in all, a colorful, fun place to spend some time.

Did you know? Covent Garden was the original produce and flower market of London.  My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle was a flower seller here and this was where she met Professor Higgins.

Tube: Covent Garden, Picadilly Line

Admission: No fee per se, but the price may depend upon the depths of your wallet…

In the surrounding area: Covent Garden is within easy walking distance of the Strand and Leicester Square (with its discount theater ticket outlets).   Walking from the square past the Tube station, across the street and up the first street to your right will bring you to an interesting shop with oriental goods (three floors of things from the totally tacky to the sublime).  From near the Covent Garden tube station, take Monmouth Street south to Seven Dials, a monument with six sundials (the seventh is the monument itself, since it casts a shadow). 

***************************************************