What was Covent Garden like in Victorian times?

Covent Garden thrived in Victorian times as the capital's chief fruit and vegetable market, with some one thousand porters working in the wonderful neo-classical 1830s covered market (designed by Charles Fowler, which survives to this day) and surrounding area.

What is the history of the Covent Garden?

The History of 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.

What was Covent Garden Market in the 1800s?

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 was London like in Victorian times?

London's population grew rapidly during the 19th century. This lead to major problems with overcrowding and poverty. Disease and early death were common for both rich and poor people. Victorian children did not have as many toys and clothes as children do today and many of them were homemade.

What is interesting about 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.

Covent Garden Market In 1960 (Full Colour Video) | Our History

Why is Covent Garden so famous?

The Covent Garden area has long been associated with entertainment and shopping. Covent Garden has 13 theatres, and over 60 pubs and bars, with most south of Long Acre, around the main shopping area of the old market.

What was Covent Garden originally used for?

The Covent Garden Theatre, the original theatre on the site, was opened (1732) by John Rich and served for plays, pantomimes, and opera. During the 1730s, when George Frideric Handel was associated with the theatre, opera was emphasized, but later the focus shifted to plays.

Where did rich Victorians live in London?

Generally the nearer to Buckingham Palace the better. The really wealthy had their townhouses which they kept in addition to their country estates. Eventually many of these like Devonshire House and Grosvenor House were sold off and redeveloped as office blocks or hotels in the 20th century.

Where did poor Victorians live?

The homes of the poor were small, cold and damp and often infested with lice and vermin. Water would be collected from a dirty pump in the street and filthy outdoor toilets would be shared with dozens of neighbours. Stoves were new and expensive, so many homes didn't have any way of making hot meals.

What did London smell like in the 1800s?

The smell of human waste and industrial effluent hung over Victorian London. For centuries the River Thames had been used as a dumping ground for the capital's waste and as the population grew, so did the problem.

What is the oldest building in the Covent Garden?

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

When was Covent Garden developed?

Dating back to 1200, Covent Garden's first historical record describes it as fields owned by Westminster Abbey. Referred to as 'the garden of the Abbey and Convent', this land now accommodates the Market Building and the Piazza, from where Covent Garden derived its name.

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.

Who is buried in Covent Garden?

Among others also buried at St Paul's, Covent Garden, are the wood-carver Grinling Gibbons, the painters Thomas Murray, Sir Peter Lely, and Thomas Girtin, Thomas Arne (composer of "Rule Britannia"), and Sir Henry Herbert who as Master of the Revels to James I and Charles I was a censor of the theatre.

Why is it called 7 dials?

The original layout of the Seven Dials area was designed by Thomas Neale during the early 1690s. His plan had six roads converging, although this number was later increased to seven. The sundial column was built with only six faces, with the column itself acting as the gnomon of the seventh dial.

When did Covent Garden stop being a flower market?

The market was relocated on 11 November 1974 and Covent Garden was left empty.

Where were the Victorian slums in London?

During Queen Victoria's reign numerous slums lurked behind the capital's busy thoroughfares: Vicious and overcrowded hovels were sandwiched in between the Mile End Road and Commercial Road in Stepney, wretched rookeries lay behind Drury Lane and filthy tenements lined the west side of Borough High Street.

What jobs did rich Victorians do?

Victorian Work

Mothers of wealthy Victorian families didn't work. They spent their days calling on friends and relatives. Most of the child care was done by a nanny. Rich Victorian men had jobs such as doctors, lawyers, bankers and factory owners.

Where did poor Victorians sleep?

A penny sit-up was the cheapest homeless shelter at that time. There were more expensive shelters available in London, such as a "four penny coffin" (where the clients were provided with a coffin-sized box so that they can sleep lying-down).

Where did Queen Victoria like to live?

She did undertake her official government duties, yet chose to remain secluded in her royal residences—Windsor Castle, Osborne House, and the private estate in Scotland that she and Albert had acquired in 1847, Balmoral Castle.

What was the richest part of London?

What was the richest city in the Victorian era?

THE CITY OF LONDON

The Victorian City of London was by far the largest financial centre in the world. It was an immensely complex world of joint-stock banks, smaller private banks, stock brokers and jobbers, insurance brokers and agents, shipbrokers, merchants and dealers in every currency and commodity.

Who owns Covent Garden London?

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 ...

Is Covent Garden a neighborhood in London?

Covent Garden is a central area in London, located in the West End. It straddles the Borough of Camden and the City of Westminster and is bordered by Shaftesbury Avenue to the north and the River Thames to the south.

What is Covent Garden now?

Covent Garden was a former market and is now home to lots of little stalls and shops as well as restaurants and pubs. It's a good place to come a see for street entertainers as well. I would suggest coming in the evening for a good vibe.