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NEW COVENT GARDEN MARKET

New Covent Garden Market is London’s original fruit, veg and flower wholesale market. Its 175 wholesalers help chefs, florists and greengrocers to do more.

As part of the development VSM has already successfully delivered a modern interim Flower Market, which continues to serve London’s Florists with the most beautiful wholesale flowers, plants, foliage and sundries, and the new Food Exchange building, which is the first step in creating a vibrant new Food Quarter for London. For more information on the Food Exchange click here .

Community facilities have been incorporated with the new football 7 and 5 a-side pitches in an innovative and extraordinary setting above the new market recycling centre.

FIND OUT MORE

Local film-makers and social enterprise group Chocolate Films have followed the market’s evolution since the beginning of the project. Take a tour of the beautiful new Flower Market to see why New Covent Garden Market is behind London's great florists and watch MG & Sons, Premier Catering and Sheringhams move into the interim distribution units in the Fruit & Veg market.

The Flower Market Behind Every Great Florist

Stories from the market - Moving into the Interim Distribution Units

I visited London's world-famous flower market, and it's an Instagrammer's dream

• I visited London's New Covent Garden Market, and it was a stunning sight. 
• The market has been around for hundreds of years and still supplies flowers and produce to local businesses. 
• Since the flower market opens at 4 a.m., I arrived and left before the sun was up. 
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

If you've ever seen "My Fair Lady," you're likely familiar with London's world-famous New Covent Garden Market, the place Audrey Hepburn's character buys the "flahers" she sells on the street every morning.

The market is like something out of a dream, with flowers spilling out of every corner, vendors loudly bargaining, and roses making everything smell magnificent. But unlike many magical places in films, this flower retailer is very real.

Formally established in 1670, the market's presence has been felt at British weddings , birthdays, and funerals for hundreds of years. The market moved from Covent Garden to Battersea in 1974 due to lack of space, but its flowers, fruits, and vegetables are still shipped all over the country.

Best of all, it's open to the public and filled with Instagrammable flower walls and stunning floral props.

Read on to see what the market is like as soon as it opens. 

The flower market is open from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Saturday, so I knew I was in for an early start 

I was keen to have the most authentic experience possible, so I set my alarm for long before the sunrise.

The flowers are shipped into the UK overnight, so the early bird gets the worm. The sooner you arrive, the more choices you'll have.

The market is easy to find if you watch for the delivery trucks

Located on a main road next to Battersea's power station and close to the Thames, the market was marked by an endless flow of delivery trucks coming in and out of it. 

It was still dark when I arrived, so the neon sign was a welcome pointer that I was in the right place. I chose to visit on a Monday, since that's when British flowers are sold. 

The outside of the New Covent Garden Market is unsurprisingly industrial-looking

This isn't a commercial florist that needs to attract customers by looking pretty — it's a working market that's already famous worldwide and a popular site for traders.

It's also where many London restaurants source their flowers and produce and where local florists buy their stems and greenery to turn into thoughtful arrangements. 

However, the stacks of Christmas trees and flower displays outside of the pedestrian entrance made it clear where I was

After admiring the displays, I walked through the door and into the market proper. 

The first thing that hit me was the temperature

The entire market building is kept at fridge-like temperatures to keep the flowers cool and fresh. This means vendors can set up endless rows of beautiful flowers without worrying about them wilting. 

I had never seen so many flowers in one place before

There were rows upon rows of roses, huge bunches of hydrangeas, and armfuls of lilies, tulips, and baby's breath. Forget flower walls — this felt like an influencer's dream.

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It was a beautiful sight, and it also smelled great, though it may not be best for those with certain allergies. 

Although the market is designed for wholesalers and professionals, everyone was very welcoming

It's important to note that this is a place of work , not a farmer's market, so be ready to hop out of the way quickly when a trolley full of miniature cacti is coming up fast behind you. 

Fortunately, the vendors and fellow shoppers were welcoming and didn't mind me poking around and browsing the wares. 

The market is divided into sections, and each division is occupied by a different trader

In a large rectangular room, the traders run through the middle and around the edges of the market, which have a connecting walkway.

Each trader has a specialization — the ones in the middle rows tend to work with a variety of cut flowers, and the ones around the edge deal mostly with greenery, dried flowers, florist equipment, and potted plants . 

The market seemed to have everything a crafter or florist could need 

You could pick up ribbon, baskets, vases, and foam to make wreaths and other arrangements while you're here to get flowers. 

One of my favorite vendors was one that stocked the kind of decorations that I loved at the garden center when I was a child

Because I visited in mid-November, the market was packed with Christmas decorations . It would be a great place to shop for unique ornaments and, of course, seasonal flowers and wreaths. 

I was very ready for some coffee at this point, so I headed to the on-site café

The temperature in here was gloriously warmer. While I ordered , vendors chatted at tables and enjoyed an early breakfast. 

The menu had some delicious-looking greasy-spoon fare, plus a strong cup of tea you could stand a teaspoon up in. 

Compared to the rest of London, the fairly low prices in the café felt like they hadn't been updated much since the market's early days. 

The market's offerings change with the season

There were some fascinating items on display that I'd never considered before, such as crates full of fresh moss, trolleys with fresh-cut logs, and fake flowers for customers who prefer a low-maintenance option. 

Of course, I couldn't leave without taking some flowers home

Unlike if I were at a normal florist, I was on my own to collect my order. I also knew I wasn't going to find a handcrafted, pre-curated bouquet. That said, there was almost too much to choose from .

The flowers are sold by the bundle or by the crate, usually in a single variety and color

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers and the market had so many colors that I usually can't find anywhere else. I picked up a huge bunch of the purple-blue ones.

The quality was also higher than what I usually buy. This wasn't too surprising since the flowers here are supplied to some of the fanciest places in London and are super fresh.

Although the prices are lower than on the high street, they're not cheap — flowers are a luxurious commodity, after all. Definitely bring cash if you visit the market, since old-school payment methods are king. 

As I left with my armful of flowers, the sun had yet to rise, but the market was only getting busier

It's incredible that this one market is the source of so many beautiful flowers across London, and it has been for centuries. 

Whether you want to pick up a fresh holiday bouquet or have a quick and colorful photoshoot, the New Covent Garden Market is the place for all your floral wishes — and it's totally worth a visit. 

Note: At the time of publication, the market is open to visitors and is following a range of social-distancing guidelines and protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

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Guide to London’s coolest places to visit

Complete Guide To Visiting Covent Garden Market

Last Updated on 17 May, 2023

No visit to London is complete without a stop to in Covent Garden. Covent Garden Market is one of London’s largest and most famous markets .

The market originally sold fresh produce but now sells a wide variety of items, including flowers, clothes, artisan food, and souvenirs. The market hall is a Grade II listed building built in 1828.

The Markets Of Covent Garden

• Apple Market: once home to world-famous fruit and vegetable market its now home to traders offering handmade crafts and goods.
• East Colonnade Market: stalls selling products such as handmade soap, jewellery, handbags, hand-knitted children’s clothing, a magician’s stall, sweets, artwork and homeware.
• Jubilee Market: offers a range of unique and antique items and collectables from a range of eras. From Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Fine Art, Fine Jewellery, Fine China, Sterling Silver, Antiquarian & Used Books.

A little history of Covent Garden Market

Covent Garden Market can be traced back to 1654 when Charles II founded it. The market was originally located in what is now known as the Piazza and was only open to fruit and vegetable sellers.

In 1730, the market moved to a larger site near St Paul’s Churchyard but was destroyed by fire just two years later. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1732. The current market hall was built in 1828 and has been used as a fruit and vegetable market ever since. In 1974, the Jubilee Market opened adjacent to the main hall and sells a range of goods, including flowers, clothes, books, and bric-a-brac. In 1980, both markets were designated as conservation areas. 

In 1998, the London Development Agency purchased Covent Garden Market with the intention of redeveloping it into a mixed-use retail and office space. However, following a public consultation, it was agreed that the market should remain.

In 2003, ownership of the market passed to Transport for London, who still owns it today. In 2017, Covent Garden Market underwent a 19-million pound refurbishment, including new lighting, signage, and improved facilities for stallholders. 

What To Expect When Visiting Covent Garden Market

This is among the best markets in West London . If you love socialising, food, and retail therapy then you will love Covent Garden Market and the surrounding area. If you’re visiting Covent Garden Market, you can expect to find a wide range of stalls selling everything from flowers to clothes to artisan food. The Jubilee Market is particularly well-known for its book stalls which sell both new and second-hand books.

While you’re there, ensure you treat yourself to something to eat from one of the many food stalls or stop for a pint in one of the pubs located around the market hall’s perimeter.

In addition to the market stalls you also have plenty of shops around the market from jewellery shops , clothes and vintage finds , to shoes , bike shops all in this lively small area packed with everything you could possibly need.

Things To Do In Covent Garden

There are so many things to do in Covent Garden which we have covered on the blog. From cute cafes, quiet gardens, pubs, cocktail bars and everything in between. You are also near the heart of London’s theatreland so plenty of amazing Westend shows to check out.

Also near Covent Garden is Trafalgar Square, as well as Soho and Mayfair which all offer a plethora of things to do, from restaurants, to nightlife and entertainment. In addition to that, Covent Garden is within walking distance to Southbank with its many attractions. From London Eye to SEA Life Aquarium, Big Ben and the Southbank Centre Food Market.

How To Get To Covent Garden Market

The simplest way to get to Covent Garden is by public transport. The market is located in Central London and is served by a number of tube stations and bus routes. The nearest tube station is Covent Garden. The Piccadilly line serves this.

It is just a two-minute walk from the market hall. Other nearby tube stations include Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines), and Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines).

A number of bus routes also stop near Covent Garden Market. The 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, and 91 buses all stop on Covent Garden Piazza, just a minute’s walk from the market hall. If you’re driving to Covent Garden, there are several car parks nearby. The nearest is the NCP Car Park on Drury Lane, just a two-minute walk from the market.

Covent Garden Market is one of London’s most iconic markets. With a history dating back to 1654, it’s easy to see why this market is so popular with locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, flowers, clothes, or books, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for at Covent Garden Market.

Covent Garden Market Parking

I would highly recoment using public transport when visiting Covent Garden. While you may find parking, you might need to hunt for it to find it if you want off street parking. Otherwise paid car parks in Covent Garden are below:

Q-Park Covent Garden – 34-35 Bedfordbury, London WC2N 4DU – Open 24 hours

Just Park : St Martin’s St, London WC2H 7HH – Open 24 hours

NCP London Covent Garden : Parker Mews, London WC2B 5NT – Open 24 hours

Urban Parking Shelton street : 42 Shelton St, London WC2H 9HJ – Open 24 hours

Q-Park Chinatown : Newport Pl, London WC2H 7PU – Open 24 hours

My name is Bianca and welcome to my local guide of London's Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Everything you need to know about exploring London in addition to the coolest hangouts and Instagrammable spots.

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New Covent Garden Market

Top ways to experience New Covent Garden Market and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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NEW COVENT GARDEN MARKET: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Inside The New New Covent Garden Market

"Oh I'm such a floral prostitute!" laughs Simon Lycett, as he moves through the aisles of blooms, pausing to point out his favourites.

"Those peonies over there typify that end of the winter period, and this beautiful lilac," he coos, picking up a bunch and burying his face in it, "that is just ... you could dive into it, it's so enormous and wonderful!"

Lycett — a florist to celebrities and royalty — has been coming to New Covent Market since 1990 ("all I deal with is very demanding clients," he assures us). Today is special, though. New Covent Garden has just got newer; the traders have moved out of the 1970s building half a mile down Nine Elms Lane, and replanted themselves in a bright new premises opposite Battersea Power Station. It's part of a complete overhaul that will also see a new fruit and vegetable market by 2022.

"This is the most exciting thing that's ever happened," says Lycett, "To have this is a spectacular message to everybody, to say you can still buy from good regional wholesaler flower markets."

In the dinginess of the old New Covent Garden — still open just a couple of days previously — it wasn't unusual for customers to have to take flowers outside to see what colour they were in natural light. Now, you will not find anywhere more sunny, more awake in London at 4am.

Another improvement of the new market, we're told, is that it's been converted into one big fridge, chilled at 14°C. The atmosphere, conversely, is warm as ever — that uncanny combination of bantery, mainly male traders and young, creative types shopping for window displays, events and big weddings (Lycett did a wedding yesterday using over 20,000 flowers, all sourced from here).

John Hardcastle has been trading since the 1960s, although he never did get used to the early starts. "My dad always said to me 'don't worry, it gets easier as you get older,'" Hardcastle says, "When I go up there and meet him again," (he points to the heavens) "I shall tell him 'no it doesn't — not for me anyway!'"

This is the third incarnation of the flower market Hardcastle has worked at. His mum was a caretaker at the original Covent Garden, and Hardcastle awoke every morning to the sweet scent of petals. "My bedroom window used to have a fire escape that actually went down onto the roof of the flower market," he says, "That was it, fate sealed."

While these days, 90% of Hardcastle's produce comes from Holland, back in the 60s and 70s all of the flowers were grown in Britain — arriving into London by train at staggered intervals throughout the day. "It was a different time," says Hardcastle,  "the guys who worked at night would have all the people coming home from nightclubs, been out to theatres or coming out of the opera house.  You had all that going on at night, that was glamorous, especially in the 60s."

Glamorous, maybe, but Hardcastle doesn't exactly remember the West End-based market with rose-tinted spectacles. Passers-by weren't exactly encouraged to use it.

"It was very frowned upon if you served the public," says Hardcastle, "you'd get a lot of stick. There might be a bit of flirting going on, the odd secretary would get a flower or someone getting a carnation for his buttonhole. But it was a lot rougher around the edges, not too many of the public would have been comfortable amongst it."

With today's florists constantly looking to wow and woo their own clients, Hardcastle spends up to six of his eight working hours scanning the internet for exciting flowers. He was the first to sell the Ecuadorian rose at New Covent Garden, he proudly tells us. Now everyone sells them.

And though business isn't as cut-throat as it was, there remains, admits Hardcastle, healthy competition among traders. "I always joke to some of my competitors, I say 'just bring a camera round, don't keep walking past! Take a picture of what I've got and go and order it — there's no need to be sneaky about it!'"

While traders like Hardcastle have seen the market rise and dip in fortune over decades, it's heartening to see a fresh crop of youngsters eager to work here; indeed there are a number of father-son outfits. Luke Gilbert gave up engineering to work on his stepdad's stall. "The atmosphere's good," he says, "everyone's happy and it's always a good laugh."

Like a hardy breed of flower, New Covent Garden has clung on and evolved. Whereas it used to deal with retail florists, the rise of the supermarket flowers (they're selling them in Waitrose a couple of hundred yards from the market) means the traders cater more to clients working on one or two big jobs at a time. Whole sections are now dedicated to foliage and artificial plants, while voguish plants like cacti don't get overlooked. No wonder the market now caters for 75% of the city's florists.

The location of this market might be different from the one that was set up during the reign of King Charles II. But although you can take the market out of Covent Garden, you can't take that inimitable feel of Covent Garden out of the market.

New Covent Garden Market , Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BH. Open to the public Monday-Saturday, 4am-10am

Last Updated 04 April 2017

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The labour of fruits: night-time in New Covent Garden market – a photo essay

Guardian photographer Jill Mead pays a midnight visit to New Covent Garden market, the largest wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market in the United Kingdom

“G et there around midnight,” said Tommy Leighton, the press officer at New Covent Garden market. “Buyers Walk looks a bit like Porridge, the BBC sitcom from the 70s. It’s not a hustle and bustle place, so don’t expect a Turkish bazaar.”

Above: Every Monday to Saturday Buyers Walk fills up with amazing displays of seasonal fruits and vegetables sourced from all over the world. Right: Preparing the display before customers start to arrive at 10pm. Far right: Strong shoulders and back are essential. The sales teams on Buyers Walk must have a high weekly step count. Below: Local customers from the nearby apartments regularly shop in the early hours.

It was a spot-on description. Indeed by midnight most of the regular customers had been and gone. I managed to have a chat with Leslie Singh, who runs Pomona, a greengrocers in Belsize Park. He explained why he visits the market every Monday to Friday. “It’s essential for me to see the produce, so I buy it daily and I know it’s the freshest.”

Les Singh, stocking up on tomatoes for his greengrocers, Pomona, in Belsize Park. Leslie visits the market Monday to Friday and gets a delivery on Saturday.

Buyers Avenue, particularly when viewed from above, was indeed a bit prison-like, echoey, with harsh lighting but lined, the entire length, with the most incredible, colourful displays of fruit and vegetables. In a prison riot it would be carnage. God help anyone near a pallet of tomatoes or watermelons. Trolleys, heavily laden with produce, are pushed and pulled by porters throughout the night past wholesalers and salespeople taking telephone orders at their respective stands.

Behind the front-of-house scenes are cold storage units all stacked to the rafters with mushrooms, bananas and things I didn’t recognise, and then, outside, more porters and forklift truck drivers, weaving in and out of a city of wooden pallets. Rave music blasts out in places and blurry figures emerge through heavy PVC strip curtains. It’s my kind of venue.

The market sits next to council flats and private houses. A trader told me his parents considered buying a house there for £4,000 when it was relocated in the 1970s. New Covent Garden Market in Nine Elms is the largest wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market in the United Kingdom. As well as fresh fruit, veg and flowers, the wholesalers can provide an extensive list of grocery items and ingredients, including meat, fish, bread, milk, pasta and vegan options.

Against a backdrop of London’s high rises, it’s an impressive, and actually very moving, sight. All this going on, right there, while most of London sleeps. I was given open access. To a photographer this is gold. Allowed to go, on my own, up high, behind the scenes, in offices, in fridges, in storerooms – and everyone, without exception, took time to share what I very quickly came to understand was the overriding sentiment of the people who work there. Immense pride in the history and heritage and a passion for the market community. They all love working there, despite the antisocial hours six days of the week.

Tony’s cafe is an institution in the market. Duncan remembered my order from the night before and I’d be confident in saying he probably knows exactly what everyone is going to ask for.

Even when prompted about the cold, winter days I was told: “We just wear an extra layer and get a brew from Tony’s cafe,” a rough gem of a place tucked snugly away in a busy underpass. My order, a bacon and egg roll, and milky coffee, was remembered on my return visit and I sensed that Duncan, the owner, and his staff had a seamless system on the go after over 35 years in business. I’d love to know the average length of employment at the market; 30-40 years seemed normal and many were third or fourth generation there.

Harry taking phone orders for Premier Foods Wholesale.

Harry from Premier Foods Wholesale started working at the market when he was 15 after being kicked out of school. “It was either come here or get thrown out of my mum’s house.”

I chatted with William Fisher who travels to the market six nights a week from Newbury in Berkshire. His grandad, also William Fisher, used to go to the old Covent Garden market in Soho and his dad, Geoff, took over the company as a teenager, running it when the market moved to the present location in Nine Elms, Battersea.

William Fisher is the third generation in his family coming to buy his fruit and vegetables.

“One of the best parts of the job,” he told me, “is working with some really interesting and great characters that have endless experience in the industry. It’s a real team effort to deliver produce to customers, so everyone must get stuck in and work until it’s done.”

It’s very much a family affair. Although there appears to be relentless ribbing, it’s clear that they’re always there for each other. They may fight over every last pound of their business, but they’ll also be the first to buy a round at the bar.

Mary Brunning is stand manager at Neil Brown Herbs and one of the few (so far, it’s going to evolve a lot over the next few years) women working in what is undeniably still a male-dominated environment.

Mary Brunning, the only female salesperson, explained: “You do have to have a thick skin to work here as a female but it’s a job like no other. I’m lucky to have a job I love.” She even found her partner, Alberto, there – “trying to meet anyone outside of the market is virtually impossible when you go to work at 7pm every night”.

The market even has its own post office. Raj Patel has worked there for 34 years and opens up every weekday at 4am until 1pm. “My customers are like family,” he told me.

Vibrant produce at the market includes romanesco cauliflowers and red pomelo grapefruit

By 6am the fruit and vegetable market is almost empty, apart from Bevington salads staff, who, much like their produce, all look as fresh as daisies. It’s a stretch to think that in 14 hours it will all be business as usual again.

A night bus runs directly past the entrance. For anyone who fancies a bit of late-night fruit and vegetable shopping or flowers, the flower market opens at 4am

The dawn sky is disappointing as I head home, knackered but with two mangoes and three boxes of strawberries to show for it. New Covent Garden market is definitely a tough gig, but the perks are seriously enviable.

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Guided Visit To New Covent Garden Flower Market

New Covent Garden is Britain’s largest Flower Market, and supplies many of London’s top florists. It is both thrilling and a little daunting to make your first visit and so we are offering a guided visit to help you navigate the hustle and bustle and to learn how everything works. Join us as we buy flowers that will be used by our flower school, and perhaps take the opportunity to buy flowers for yourself too. At the end of our tour we will have time for a coffee and a bacon sandwich in the café.

Date: Sat 16th March 2024

Time: 06:00am – 09:00am

Location: New Covent Garden Flower Market

New Covent Garden is Britain’s largest Flower Market, and supplies many of London’s top florists.  It is both thrilling and a little daunting to make your first visit and so we are offering a guided visit to help you navigate the hustle and bustle and to learn how everything works.  Join us as we buy flowers that will be used by our flower school, and perhaps take the opportunity to buy flowers for yourself too.  At the end of our tour we will have time for a coffee and a bacon sandwich in the café. 

This early morning visit to the flower market is designed to help you gain confidence to shop there in the future.  We will meet at the flower market at 6am, so you will need to arrange your own transport.  We can often arrange lift sharing for anyone who is coming from the Wimbledon area, or there is easy access from Battersea Power Station tube stop.  

During the visit we get to know our way around the market and we will talk about selecting your flowers, understanding the quantities and pricing, options for ordering fresh flowers, considerations for transporting flowers home, plus lots of other tips for getting the flowers you want.

Please wear sensible, none-slip shoes or trainers as the floor can be wet, and please wear warm clothes as the market can be very cold inside.  There is a toilet at the market.  You will have time to do some shopping on your own and card payments are accepted everywhere.  There is a small café and we can stop off for a coffee and bacon sandwich before leaving.  There is a £5 parking charge if you drive to the market. (the machines accept card payment).

For more information, please contact Sarah at Belting Blooms on 07378 680147 or email [email protected]

More Events

Spring introduction to floristry course over 5 weeks

Date: 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th March, 11th March and 18th March

This course run over five weeks is perfect for those who love flowers and want to indulge their creative side while learning some new skills to use at home. The course also provides a foundation for those who are considering further training in the future. Over the weeks you will make: A large pickle jar arrangement, A seasonal hand-tied bouquet, A spring planter, A living spring wreath, An Easter table centrepiece....

Spring Week 1: Large Spring Vase Arrangement

Date: Monday 19th February 2024

We will learn the basics of arranging flowers in a vase. To keep the look soft and natural we will use large, glass pickle jars – the jar will be yours to keep. We will explore the form and structure of different types of flowers and how best to use them to support an abundant arrangement in traditional English-garden style....

©2024 Belting Blooms

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Experience.

Welcome to the market building & piazza.

Arriving at the Covent Garden tube station? Take a wander down James Street and be greeted by our North Piazza and world-famous Market building.

Claiming the crown jewels title of Covent Garden, our historic Market Building and surrounding streets are home to some of London's best al fresco dining and pop up experiences, spread across our pedestrianised Piazza.

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The Glossier Flagship

Calling all beauty enthusiasts. A Covent Garden exclusive, the UK's only Glossier store

Sneakers and Style, specialising in rare and exclusive sneakers and apparel from top brands

The Royal Opera House Arcade

Surrounded by culture, Covent Garden is home to the Royal Opera House and it's arcade of shopping. From Mulberry and Guerlain to the Rolex Boutique located in Bucherer , indulge in luxury when exploring the arches of the Royal Opera House architecture.  All shopped out? Enjoy a show-stopping performance of Ballet or a backstage tour of the historic theatre. Covent Garden Highlight: Head to the top floor of the Royal Opera House to discover their terrace bar and restaurant. Enjoy rooftop views of the Piazza and a glass of champagne in hand.

The ultimate pop up destination

Welcome to the covent garden piazza, london's beauty quarter.

The Flower Barrows

Bringing life and colour to our piazza.

One-of-a-kind al fresco

Unique to Covent Garden's pedestrianised Piazza, discover over 1,400+ al fresco dining seats across our neighbourhood with many located across our Market Building and Piazza. From balcony views to heated seating for the winter, find al fresco options at VyTA, Ladurée, Na Na Café, SUSHISAMBA, Shake Shack, Tuttons and more...

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The origins of Covent Garden

Learn about the history of the Market Building

The History of Covent Garden

Looking for your next home or office in Covent Garden? Look no further.

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Covent Garden and Montmartre combined - Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

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• Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Hardly a visitor to Moscow will not go for a stroll through its most famous street, the first... read more

Excellent pedestrian street with small shops and cafes. Worth a walk if you are there. A lot of... read more

Covent Garden and Montmartre combined

Loved this street in the old area of Moscow. It is certainly very touristy, lined with eating places and souvenir shops ... many selling nested 'Russian dolls' from China ...but still great fun. The day we were there was gloriously sunny and the street artists and artistes were out in force. Have your portrait painted, watch the jugglers or stand and listen to some really talented musicians. A lovely way to while away a couple of hours when you need a break from broad streets and massive buildings.

Stary Arbat provides blocks of pedestrian friendly enjoyment. This street is full of entertaining buskers, artists, shops and restaurants. Also, this is a great place to people watch.

We started at one end and walked to Red Square. Very enjoyable. Artists, shopping, restaurants and people watching all along the street

We loved the Arbat area- Full of buskers in every type- Dancers, musicians, artists, poets and singers. Great place to eat ice cream eat out and really soak up the atmosphere!

First visited Old Arbat 15 years ago. Then it had an unique amostphere. Typically Russian. Now, like so many places around the world, it's been too cleansed which sadly extracts the reason we went there in the first place. Don't however miss it if you have time to spare. The artists we saw were of a high standard. We even purchased a painting that was produced from nothing while we watched on. That was a great experience. But skip the souvenir shops. This place could learn from other parts of Europe and allow the street to fill up more with tables and chairs to create a less empty feeling. Probably won't happen as Russians (the masses) still haven't adopted the cafe / light lunch way of life.

Ubfortunately, this is not the same Arbat as 20 years ago. No musicians, no feeling of boheme and artists. There are some sellers of old books, some portrait masters who are tallented - the portrait is between 1000-2000 rubles. The buildings are beautiful, but the logos of shops cover their beauty. Shops with souvenirs dominate, some years ago the artist were dominating:( But when you walk, notice beautiful buildings and walk into Varenitchnaya restaurant to feel the time that passed.

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In Moscow there’s a market that looks like a circus tent – Travel tip!

Just a couple of hundred meters from the Tulskaya station of the Moscow Metro , basically where the Third Ring Road crosses the Moskva river , you can find a pretty unique place where to eat and do a little food shopping : Danilovsky market .

In the past, this used to be one of Moscow’s largest and most renowned farmer’s markets and it was meant to both offer an outlet in the city for real farmers and provide access to fresh produce to Muscovites (in the Soviet times, that was definitely not always easy). It was built like a huge concrete circus tent (or a flower, it actually really looks like a flower from the air, as you can clearly see in Google maps ).

Now the whole neighbourhood is undergoing strong gentrification , with new luxury residential complexes being built and former factories being turned into lofts and space for tertiary . One noticeable effect of this process has been the transformation of the Danilovsky market from real farmer market into an upscale market with a variety of offerings, including handcrafted products, flowers, delicacies and a delightful series of small restaurants offering cuisines from around the world.

This has turned the market from an affordable food and produce shopping place for the area residents to a very hip meeting point where to explore different flavours in a very informal setting . The market is also very popular among the “office crowd” as it offers a very wide variety of foods to consume during a short lunch break, with the added benefit of being able to shop for dinner in the same place.

One of my favorite places where to eat is the “Chowder and Pie”, where (as you might have guessed from the name) you can find excellent chowder . Their offer includes a fantastically authentic New England Clam Chowder and a more “localized version” of crab chowder, made with real (and rather abundant) Kamchakta crab meat.

In general the prices are on the low-side for Moscow standards and really quite cheap compared to “the West” . You can easily eat a full lunch for under 5 Euros/USD and a dish with lots of crab meat will set you back less than twice as much.

Most, if not all, of the restaurants actually have other locations in the city, but they usually created special menus and special offers for this informal settings . So, instead of having to go to a restaurant and likely reserve in advance to enjoy a properly prepared Beijing duck , you can just walk in the market and order a portion.

Another great thing about this setting is that you and your friends (or colleagues) can easily eat together, while having completely different foods . That is because each kiosk/restaurant does not have a “reserve” sitting area. There are tables and chairs (or benches) all around the perimeter of the market (including a very nice “inside terrace” from where I took the feature picture of this post) and you can get your food and sit wherever you want.

You can still find fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, cold cuts and cheeses in Danilovsky market, but… there’s a but. As I mentioned, this is no longer a market aimed at low-income families where the main selling point is the low price (during Soviet times it was mostly the actual availability to be almost extraordinary…). Everything is high quality and very… how can I say… “polished”. Of course if you can afford to spend a little more you find fantastic fresh fruit and vegetable, especially for seasonal foods. In the warmer months of the year there are a couple of pomegranate stands that offer both the fruits and their freshly squeezed at the moment for you. The central part of the market is occupied by a 360 degrees circular fish stand, which sells fantastic fish and seafood (some of which is still alive), including marvellous sturgeons (the fish from where black caviar comes from).

The real forte of the market today, though, is speciality foods , which are harder to find elsewhere, even in huge supermarkets. Many kiosk have a decidedly “regional” soul , like the ones with all kind of frozen fruit and sweets from the middle-east or the states South of the Russian border ( Turkmenistan , Kazakhstan , Tajikistan Armenia , Georgia and so on). Apart from that you can find Italian gelato (ice cream – but that is actually not very much like the real Italian one), Belgian waffles, French patisseries (sweet shops) and boulangeries (bakeries) and so on.

Finally, some other stands specialize in a specific product (meat, fish, cheese and so on) and there you can find a pretty good choice of varieties coming from all around the world and in general of good to high, to very high, to excellent quality (with prices to match).

Ah, I was almost forgetting, but if you aren’t yet convinced by all you’ve read so far, my Travel Tip is pretty simple: trust me and go visit Danilovsky market in Moscow, especially if you have an hour or a little more free for lunch or dinner and you want to experience something different, fun, exotic and overall decidedly affordable for your meal!

Would you like to  discover the Russia that foreigners rarely, if ever, get to see , with an English (and Italian, Spanish and French) speaking guide (me and my wife) showing you the sights and telling you a bit about Russian history and traditions? If so, do  get in touch  and we’ll be happy to create an unforgettable, tailor-made experience for you!

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New Covent Garden Market’s British Flowers Week is back in bloom for its 10-year anniversary

New covent garden market’s british flowers week is back in bloom for it’s 10-year anniversary, 12th – 19th june 2022.

British Flowers Week - a campaign run by New Covent Garden Market, the UK’s premier wholesale Flower Market - is returning for its 10th year between Sunday 12th and Sunday 19th June 2022. The week-long celebration highlights the beauty and variety of British cut flowers, foliage and plants, as well as the amazing work of the florists, growers and wholesalers who put British-grown flowers in the spotlight.

Everyone is encouraged to get involved by decorating their windows with British flowers to mark the week. Whether it’s with a single stem, a bouquet made from garden flowers or a spectacular display, a decorated window will signal support for the British flower industry this June.

In the past, we have run a series of virtual and face-to-face events each British Flowers Week. This year, we’re going online and aiming at a wider audience – and we would love to see the work of anyone and everyone who is involved in the sector or enthused by the incredible array of homegrown blooms, foliage and plants that’s in season right now.

Share your designs, share your shop windows and share your inspiration and we will help to tell the nation. Britain has such a strong heritage of wonderful floral art; it’s something we can all be proud of so let’s get it out there for everyone to see!

Don’t forget to copy and tag us on everything you do!  

#BritishFlowersWeek    #NewCoventGardenMarket      @MarketFlowers

Garden Museum

As in previous years, British Flowers Week will enjoy the support of The Garden Museum. The Garden Museum’s annual BFW exhibition is returning, in partnership with New Covent Garden Market, to unite florists, flower growers and flower lovers in a celebration of British-grown flowers and the immense creative talent in floral design to be found across the country.

Five of the country’s top florists will create show-stopping floral installations, transforming the Garden Museum into a five-day immersive floral wonderland filled with the heavenly scents and colours of beautiful British blooms. The floral sculptures will be made with seasonal, sustainably-sourced, British-grown flowers, using environmentally friendly materials and methods.

Responding to the theme ‘The Future’, this year’s installations will use floral design to explore sustainability, the future of floristry and its impact on the environment, and the intersection of nature, humans and technology.

Go to https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/british-flowers-week-2022/ to meet the florists exhibiting from June 5 th to 13 th .

This year, you can again expect to see decorated shop windows, hotels filling their lobbies with blooms and even edible flowers on dishes at top restaurants. Anyone who buys a programme when they go to see the fabulous new production of My Fair Lady in the West End will also see an advert for New Covent Garden Market in glorious technicolour!

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is a big supporter and advocate of British Flowers Week and has created her own floral displays in previous years. The Duchess is also the patron of the Floral Angels charity, based at New Covent Garden Market, which recycles flowers used at weddings and events into smaller bouquets to send out to community organisations, such as care homes and hospices. 

This year’s trends

This year’s trend is for lots of colour, with oranges and yellows particularly to the fore, according to one of the Market’s leading customers, celebrity event florist Simon Lycett.

“I think everyone is ready for lots of bright and beautiful flowers in their gardens and vases and their events after the challenging two years we’ve all been through. And for people who want to buy British, there’s a real chance to introduce seasonal British flowers and foliage, whenever and wherever they are available,” said Simon.

“Orange is really big this year, and everyone is looking for orange and yellow shaded flowers to mix in with other colours to brighten up their lives. Wedding clients seem to be really inclined to a much brighter colour pallet than in past years, and even corporate events, who tend to play more safe, are following the trend and choosing colour.”

Beautiful bold Geum, Marigolds and Sandersonia are all in demand and orange roses are also proving very popular. For those hunting yellows, Achillea and Yellow Butterfly Ranunculus, Eremurus and daisies are proving the order of the day this season.

Increasingly, the trends are being driven by social media. “Colours that used to come into fashion 18 months after it had appeared on the catwalks are coming through far more quickly because so many more people have access to influential posts on Instagram, pinterest, tiktok and more,” said Simon.

“Fads and phases are much quicker to appear now as people see the colour pallets they aspire to across their favourite social media feeds,” he explained. “For some flowers, the impact has been huge; a few years ago for example carnations, chrysanthemums and dahlias weren’t fashionable, but they are all really popular now.”

How to get involved

• Create a British Flowers Week window with your own British flowers, foliage or plants, whether they’re from the garden, a local grower, florist or wholesaler, now is the time to get creative. Take it a step further with New Covent Garden Market’s downloadable toolkit which includes cut-out materials, posters and tips to get the most out of the week.

• Take a picture of your British Flowers Week window and share it on social media using #BritishFlowersWeek and tag @MarketFlowers to show support for British blooms. Displaying a bouquet is the perfect way to spread a little joy and encourage others to decorate their windows. New Covent Garden Market will be reposting the best displays throughout the week, so it’s worth keeping an eye out to catch all the beautiful windows from across the country.

About New Covent Garden’s illustrious Flower Market

The renowned New Covent Garden Flower Market, which spearheads the annual British Flowers Week, is home to 20 world class floral wholesalers including two Royal Warrant holders who supply flowers and plants to the country’s most prestigious households. The Flower Market is at the heart of the floristry industry in London and beyond, supplying the majority of London’s independent florists, from high street retailers to high-end event companies and with the market’s flowers ending up in royal palaces, shops, market stalls, hotels, offices, parties, homes, weddings and funerals. 

The market has been feeding and flowering London for 800 years. Many of the traders at the market are third or even fourth generation and these ladies and gentlemen are the thoroughbreds of the floristry world, holding an exceptional level of knowledge and expertise on flowers, plants, foliage and sundries through the decades – not just from Britain but from around the world.

“New Covent Garden Market is vitally important as a unique and indispensable one-stop-shop for everything that’s new and on-trend in flowers, plants, foliage and sundries,” said Simon Lycett.

“You can buy some of the flowers online, of course, but you don’t get to see how they look when combined in one place, and for me, buying online feels very uninspiring. When you see so many different flowers, colours and textures next to one other within the Flower Market, it inspired and sparks ideas - you begin to combine things you may never thought of putting together. That juxtaposition of products isn’t available anywhere else, and never on a screen!

“When you buy product online, you also don’t get to benefit from the incredible expertise and knowledge which is intrinsic to the wholesalers at New Covent Garden,” Simon added. “Through a quick conversation, you will not only find out what’s blooming and beautiful today, but what you can expect to be arriving in the weeks ahead and that’s so important to florists like myself as we are often planning for future events.  

“The market is also where you’ll find the quirky things – the non-standard, unusual and unique one-offs. Any florist who takes the time to come to the Market and search for those points of difference will find that helps them to stand out with ease from their competitors on the high street.”

To find out more about how to get involved with New Covent Garden Market’s British Flowers Week campaign, visit   www.britishflowersweek.com and follow @MarketFlowers on social media.

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