Covent Garden has recently undergone a bit of a renaissance from tired tourist trap to become THE destination district in London. With the best bars, restaurants and shops now flocking to open there, the area has seen an injection of independent energy that has transformed it beyond all recognition. We know that people are searching for things to do in Covent Garden, and with all the positive changes, even seasoned Londoners might be hard-pressed to name all the latest places to go. So with this in mind, we have put together our Spontaneous Guide to Covent Garden to help you find the latest hidden gems and allow you to impress family and friends alike with your in-depth knowledge of the area.
We have created this map because we know you are spontaneous…..
Did you know that our mobile hotel booking data shows that Londoners booking same day stays in London has increased by 26% since this time last year. In fact between 8pm and 10pm, our most popular hotel searches on a mobile come from around tube stations! It seems that our customers want to keep the night going longer and rather than fork out for a taxi, people are finding the perfect after party crash pad, especially if they have missed the last train. If this is you – you might want to try out our “Don’t stop me now” route – designed to point you in the direction of those late-night watering holes.
Covent Garden… its not just for Christmas
Shopping in Covent Garden is now no longer just about the market, but instead it has become a much-loved retail paradise, with a variety of kooky independent outlets, high-end brands and high street stores competing side-by-side. We have launched the map just in time for Christmas so you can make the most of all this magical place has to offer, but clearly this is now a top all-year-round destination.
Planning a day there? We have picked the best places to start the day off with a spot of breakfast and that all-important caffeine injection. We have already lined you up several shops to get you started. Spot of lunch? No problem, from quick bites to luxurious long lunches, we have picked our favourite places to stop at and refuel. Fancy a cheeky cocktail or a glass or fizz. Maybe real ale or bespoke Belgian beer is more your thing. We have chosen our pick of the pubs, wine bars and cocktail places to keep you suitably refreshed on your trip. Perhaps you are visiting the theatre? Well you are probably going to need a pre-theatre dinner. We have found some great quirky places to get you in the West End mood, without panicking as to whether you will be fed on time. Whatever the reason for your visit, from first dates to catching up with old friends, we have come up with somewhere you to visit.
How the map works
The good news is that the map works on your desktop, tablet or smartphone. All you need to do is either select an icon (if you are looking specifically for a wine bar, restaurant or cocktail place for example) or click on one of our curated routes (helpful if you have a particular activity planned). This will then zoom into the places you really want to look at quickly. You can check out the bar / restaurants own website for information on opening hours, menus etc and there is also a built in link straight through to Google Maps meaning you can grab directions to the venue instantly, wherever you happen to be (particularly useful if you have a sense of direction like mine…).
We have also included social icons so you can get people together via Facebook or Twitter, or maybe you just want to share the love of a new discovery with your mates. And when you have finished checking somewhere out – hit reset to start all over again. So what are you waiting for? Go and have a play with our Covent Garden map.
We want to know what you think
Is our Covent Garden map missing one of your favourite places? Where would you like to see our next London-based map cover? Let us know at inspiration@lastminute.com or leave a comment below. We will also be asking our Twitter followers what they think too. To get involved or just follow the conversation visit @lastminute_com #bespontaneous.
