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Original poster

To not get the fuss with covent garden

111 replies

Fairyloo · 27/05/2013 19:21

Every time I go to london people tell me go to covent garden "it's amazing". I always go and feel a bit let down. It's high st shops and millions of miserable street performers.

I like the inside market bin but so overpriced.

I do love south bank.

Am I missing something with covent garden??

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 27/05/2013 19:23

YANBU South Bank is much more interesting

louisianablue2000 · 27/05/2013 19:25

yanbu, Londoners like to big up everything about the capital but it's not all that. Personally I think it's just very smelly and Covent Garden is nothing exciting at all.

VashtaNerada · 27/05/2013 19:32

It's a very different place during the day and at night. It was probably just bigged up too much which is why you felt let down. I love it though - Sanctuary spa, theatres, markets, shops, restaurants, comedy club - lots going on in a tiny space.

complexnumber · 27/05/2013 19:33

It must have changed since I was last there (admitedly a v. long time ago... alright they weren't exactly still selling cabbages, but still a long time ago)

But there was a really good atmosphere, the street performers were amazing, the shops were often independant, the Punch And Judy served a decent (if expensive) pint.

Sad to think it might not be so much fun these days.

MortifiedAdams · 27/05/2013 19:37

Igh me too OP. much prefer Camden.

WafflyVersatile · 27/05/2013 19:38

When I first moved here I used to chill out there before I started my job but that was a long time ago and if I go there now it's incidental to whatever mission I'm on. Very crowded. I usually try to vacate the station area and get to my designation asap. (usually hair by fairy who do cheap hair cuts)

Generally I only got to central london now for the theatre or for specific reasons. I never go pubbing or clubbing in CG or Soho these days and I don't work in the area now.

I used to think Southbank was great for a meander at the weekend but would be better if it just had a couple more places to eat and drink. Now it has loads but is rammed at the weekend. It's like taking a leisurely stroll along Oxford Street.

Never happy!

eccentrica · 27/05/2013 19:47

I don't think any true Londoners big up Covent Garden! It's a tourist trap, street performer nightmare. I haven't been there except to go to the theatre for about 20 years.

See also: Camden, Leicester Square, Brick Lane (or rather don't see)

Punkatheart · 27/05/2013 19:52

South Bank. East end.

burberryqueen · 27/05/2013 19:54

Londoners like to big up everything about the capital but it's not all that yes it is

burberryqueen · 27/05/2013 19:54

welll not Covent Garden , but the capital in general which is what u meant i suppose

Yonionekanobe · 27/05/2013 19:56

Completely agree with eccentrica. I've never heard a fellow Londoner 'big up' Covent Garden.

But a lot of the capital, is definitely 'all that' - and before anyone asks I have travelled extensively and loves elsewhere home and abroad! Maybe we are all just used to the smell Confused

Yonionekanobe · 27/05/2013 19:58

Loves = lived. I was doubtless put off typing by the stench coming in through our windows.

GetOrfMoiLand · 27/05/2013 19:59

I agree with Burberry. London is all that.

But not Covent Garden, Leicester Square or Camden Market.

But it's still fantastic, shite bits included.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 27/05/2013 20:00

I have no idea why anyone would go to Covent Garden unless they had a destination eg Transport Museum, theatre etc. It always baffles me when tourists mention going there to look round. At what? The Boots? The Disney Store? M&S?

Unless you have kids who like street perfromers

KentishWine · 27/05/2013 20:03

As a Londoner I'd never chose to spend a weekend day at Covent Garden, especially at this time of year.

But I disagree with louisiana, London is all that! London is much more than its tourist traps.

chickieno1 · 27/05/2013 20:04

Southbank is fab

Saski · 27/05/2013 20:04

It's cute, but not amazing. I recently went to Spitalfields Market for the first time after living in London for 10 years! and that's amazing.

GetOrfMoiLand · 27/05/2013 20:06

There's nothing in Covent garden to look at, loads of places in London to walk about looking at the architecture, parkland, river, whatever. There is nothing there unless like other say you are going to the theatre, to a specific restaurant whatever. It just has an atmosphere of bored tourists.

And I can't stand street performance.

edam · 27/05/2013 20:08

Covent Garden is indeed a tourist trap. Never go there unless it's to the theatre or the London Transport Museum. However, if I am taking ds to the museum, there's one nice bag stall on the market...

ashesgirl · 27/05/2013 20:09

Covent Garden very touristy and busy, but Transport Museum is great.

And yes London is all that!

mooface · 27/05/2013 20:09

I love the tea shop in the covered market bit, it's got oodles of free samples and more different types than I've ever seen.

But the ice-cream shop recently closed down :(

edam · 27/05/2013 20:10

Last time I went, the BBC local radio had a big red double decker parked up promoting their shows. Faces of presenters all over the bus... Vanessa Feltz on the back end. Grin

She must have really pissed off someone in PR...

TotesAmazeGoats · 27/05/2013 20:12

I wish I could afford to live in London. I think it's all that. Envy

hesterton · 27/05/2013 20:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GetOrfMoiLand · 27/05/2013 20:18

I think it's pretty ignorant to say that London is not 'all that'

It's not just Londoners who think so. It's classed as one of the world's alpha ++ cities. And there are only two of them. So its a pretty considered opinion.