Following the first and second parts of our guide to shopping in Covent Garden, come browse through the next set of must-see hot spots in one of London’s most iconic hubs.
MARKETS
First a very important note of warning: think seriously about a maximum budget before you walk through the markets in Convent Garden. It’s very easy to blow £600 (the stalls have Pos devices), especially if you are the type that loves dainty, unique, artisanal stuff. Covent Garden’s four main markets- the Apple Market, Jubilee Market, East Colonnade and the New Covent Garden Market- are chockfull of handmade artsy items-jewelry, luxury soaps, arts and crafts products, homewares and antiques. There are also candles, toys, clothes, flowers, hats etc. You can find a lot of beautiful, good quality rare things for £20-£40. There are also stuff that will set you back by £150-£250 e.g. handmade jewelry, some made by well-known artisans that are patronized by celebs. It’s quite easy to burn the money in your wallet or card.
Here are some of the stalls:
STRAND SOAPS
Strand Soaps, sellers of luxury handmade soaps, is one of the best smelling stalls in Covent Garden. Perfect place to get unique, thoughtful gifts.
Address
S. M. STRAND SOAPS
EAST COLONNADE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
MON – SUN: 10AM – 10PM
DEBORAH JOHN
Deborah John sells a beautiful range of glass jewelleryjewelry, including pendants, earrings, necklaces, brooches and cufflinks in complementing designs and colours.
Address
DEBORAH JOHN GLASS ART
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
THU & SAT: 10AM – 6PM
Ahura Collectables
You can find Ahura Collectibles at the Apple Market on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The business deals in excellently preserved antique nautical and surveying instruments, made in the 18th and 19th century by the leading instrument makers of the era. These items are very popular as corporate gifts (good for when you want to give something remarkable to multimillionaires who have too much of everything you could buy for them). Ahura also specializes in refurbished antique telephones that can work with your landline. You can get one and make visitors think your great granddad was one of the 5 Nigerians who had a telephone in 1914.
Address
AHURA COLLECTABLES
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
MON: 10.30AM – 6PM
SATURDAY 10.30AM – 6PM
SUNDAYS 10.30AM – 6PM
ANTOINETTE’S HEIRLOOMS
Antoinette’s specialises in English and European antiques, mainly fine table and tea ware. The ceramics are made by names such as Wedgwood, Spode, Minton, Royal Doulton, Royal Worcester and Aynsley. (You may recognize some of these names from the bottom of teacups your parents brought back from England in the 1960s and 1970s). Antoinette’s also sells Irish and British crystal and British silver and silverplate and European ceramics by Meissen, Limoges and Herend. Call 07794 559 383 if you want to browse their catalogue or ask for something specific.
Address
ANTOINETTE’S HEIRLOOMS
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
MON: 10.30AM – 6PM
HEIDI STURGESS
This is a boutique that has remained small while selling to clients around the world. Its Silhouettes Collection, first unveiled in 2003 and redesigned in 2012, has become its signature collection. The product range includes handbags, scarves, and accessories. Celebrity customers include the shoe legend Jimmy Choo, Pop Divas Pink and Alicia Keys, Actress Amanda Abbington and Opera singer Ainhoa Arteta.
Address
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
TUES – SUN: 10.30AM – 6PM
WHATLEY
Whatley stocks amazing antique jewels. They will really make you stand out.
Address
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening Time
MON: 10.30AM – 6PM
HOLLAND ANTIQUES
You can find objects that are two thousand years old here.
Address
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
MON: 10.30AM – 6PM
MERCA: GORGEOUS-LOOKING MIRRORS
Sells amazing decorated mirrors.
Address
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
WED & SUN: 10.30AM – 6PM
THE PHOTO TYPEWRITER
Say it in pictures. The Photo Typewriter has over 1,300 pictures taken from special angles, so they can be used to write! Hear if from them “Each photo is taken at such an angle that it looks like a letter. You can then ‘type’ with the photos and create names or cherished words. Photo Typewriter focuses on creating stunning personalised artwork for the home and on creating the perfect present for all occasions. Weddings, birthdays, christenings, house-warmings, happy new budgerigars… everything.
Address
THE APPLE MARKET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2E 8RB
Opening hours
TUESDAY – SUNDAY: 10:30AM – 6PM
The New Covent Garden Market at Nine Elms is the largest wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market in the UK and boasts more than 200 businesses on a 57-acre indoor site.
FLOWER STALLS AT THE NEW COVENANT GARDEN
SEVEN DIALS AT CECIL COURT
Each of the seven streets that branch out of the Seven Dials monument in Covent Garden features independent stores galore. Neal Street (named after the area’s 17th century architect Thomas Neale) is noted for its numerous designer shoe shops including Timberland, Dr. Martens and Birkenstock, with boutiques like Superga selling classic plimsolls and big brands like Nike offering bespoke service.
BOOKSHOPS AT CECIL COURT
Apart from fashion, one of the older, smaller streets in Covent Garden called Cecil Court – nicknamed Bookseller’s Row – is a literature lover’s paradise packed with around 20 secondhand bookshops and antique booksellers which still retain their 19th century decor.
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