Was Covent Garden originally called Covent Garden?

“Covent Garden” is actually a bastardization of “Convent Garden,” which it was called as early as the 1500s for being the vegetable garden of the monks of Westminster Abbey.

What is the original name of the Covent Garden?

The first historical record of Covent Garden dates back to 1200, when it consisted of fields. Owned by Westminster Abbey, the land where the Market Building and the Piazza now stand was referred to as 'the garden of the Abbey and Convent', hence its name.

Why is Covent Garden not called Covent Garden?

The central square in Covent Garden is simply called "Covent Garden", often marketed as "Covent Garden Piazza" to distinguish it from the eponymous surrounding area. Designed and laid out in 1630, it was the first modern square in London—originally a flat, open space or piazza with low railings.

When did Covent Garden stop being a flower market?

The market officially stopped trading on Friday 8th of November, 1974 – the entire enterprise relocated to Nine Elms in Vauxhall. Boursnell, of course, was there, recording the end of a very particular era of London history.

What is the meaning of Covent Garden?

Definition of 'Covent Garden'

1. a district of central London: famous for its former fruit, vegetable, and flower market, now a shopping precinct. 2. the Royal Opera House (built 1858) in Covent Garden. Collins English Dictionary.

Covent Garden Juicy Debauched History Romp - London Walk

Why is Covent Garden so famous?

Covent Garden is a world-class shopping and dining destination attracting food-lovers and fashionistas alike. Buzzing with the excitement of the opera and theatreland, the area boasts some of the best shopping and dining destinations in London's West End, from Mulberry to Petersham Nurseries and Balthazar to Frenchie.

What is a fact about the Covent Garden?

Covent Garden is home to the oldest theatre in London. The oldest theatre in London is the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane which dates back to 1663. Rumour has it there is an underground tunnel so the stars of the show could swiftly get to the nearby pub.

Where did Old Covent Garden move to?

As a result, in the 1960s the Covent Garden Market Authority decided to move to Nine Elms in Battersea and the Greater London Council (GLC) bought all the land they owned. Later on, plans were drawn up to redevelop the area.

What is Covent Garden famous for selling?

Once home to the world-famous fruit and vegetable market, Covent Garden's Apple Market continues to support market traders, offering a range of unique handmade crafts and goods throughout the week.

Why is it called 7 dials?

'One of London's great public ornaments'

Neale commissioned England's leading stonemason, Edward Pierce, to design and construct the Sundial Pillar in 1693-4 as the centrepiece of his development in Seven Dials. The Pillar was topped by six sundial faces, the seventh 'style' being the column itself.

Does anyone live in Covent Garden?

More than 6,000 people live in Covent Garden as their primary home, including many families and children.

Who owns Covent Garden now?

Although most of central Covent Garden is currently owned by Capital & Counties, there have been several freeholders in the area's history, including the GLC who restored the buildings and converted them from their former use (the famous fruit and vegetable market) into the lively mixture of shops and restaurants that ...

What is Covent Garden oldest building?

43 King Street | Oldest Surviving Building In Covent Garden - DD Architects.

How old is Covent Garden Piazza?

It was laid out in the 1630s as a “piazza,” or residential square (the first of its kind in London), to the design of Inigo Jones. Surrounded on three sides by tall houses with an arcaded street floor, the square was bounded on the west by the low, solemn-porticoed St. Paul's Church. Covent Garden Market, London, 2008.

How old is the covent garden market?

Covent Garden Market had its beginning in 1835 when a patent was issued to hold a “public fair or mart” in the area of Richmond, Dundas and King Streets. In 1845, the Market found a permanent home when city business owners donated land near Richmond, Dundas and King Street.

What is the short history of Covent Garden?

Markets began gathering at Covent Garden's new square as early as 1656, though the population was still sparse, composed mostly of wealthier tenants. Being relatively new and out-of-the-way, Covent Garden had the fortune to skirt the worst of the plague in 1665, and it avoided the Great Fire of London entirely in 1666.

What is the oldest outdoor market in London?

Borough Market has a history spanning over a millenium and is widely considered London's oldest retail and wholesale food market. It's been operating at its current site since 1756. With over 100 stalls covering about 4.5 acres, Borough Market is also one of the largest food markets in the capital.

What was the old flower market in London called?

Columbia Road Flower Market… Originally founded in the early 1800s, the Columbia Road market in East London has since evolved into a specialist flower market on Sundays.

What happened to the Rock garden Covent Garden?

The Rock Garden, The Piazza, Covent Garden

The Rock Garden had a busy diary, with gigs on most nights; however, by the 1990s it had become a nightclub called The Gardening Club. The building is today home to an Apple Store.

What was the Covent Garden in the Victorian era?

Covent Garden was a place of leisure and pleasure as well as of labour. The two theatres – the Covent Garden and Drury Lane – were the only two 'patented theatres' (i.e. theatres with royal approval) until the end of the nineteenth century. It was where the upper-classes would go to see opera and plays.

How many donkeys worked in Covent Garden?

This plaque to the south of the market remembers the working donkeys of Covent Garden, who would haul costermongers' carts to and from the market. The plaque suggests some 100,000 donkeys were employed in this way between 1661 and 1974, which is one hell of a tally.

How long should you spend at Covent Garden?

Recommended visiting time is around two hours, but if you want to get some shopping done you could easily spend an entire day at Covent Garden.

Is it worth going to Covent Garden?

Honestly, if it's your first time in London and you're looking to explore some of the most famous neighbourhoods of the city, then Covent Garden is easily up there as one of the best.

What is the history of St Paul's Covent Garden?

Development of the Covent Garden Piazza and St. Paul's Church commenced around 1630 when Inigo Jones designed the overall layout of the square. Construction of the church began in 1631 and it appears to have been completed and furnished by 1635, but was not consecrated until 1638 due to a dispute with the vicar of St.

Is Covent Garden a rich area?

Convent Garden

Most notably, Covent Garden is home to the Royal Opera House, one of the most famous institutions in London, which only adds to the economic credibility and wealth of the neighbourhood.