Covent Garden, London

Go ‘off-menu’ at Joe Allen

There are no burgers on the menu at Joe Allen, the Exeter Street stalwart American restaurant that’s been a long-time favourite with the theatre luvvies. Those in the know, however, are aware that you simply have to give your waiter a nod and they’ll serve up one of the finest burgers in London for you. With a piano player tinkling in the background, and a long New York style ‘mahogany ridge’ wooden bar for all-day drinking, Joe Allen has a timeless charm that attracts low-key celebs and savvy ‘civilians’ alike.
www.joeallenrestaurant.com

Chill in St Paul’s Churchyard

Note we said ‘chill’, NOT ‘chillax’. Anyone who utters this ridiculous expression doesn’t deserve the oasis of calm that is this pretty Covent Garden churchyard. Grab a snack from the Piazza and then settle yourself down, listening to the distant shouts of the street performers on the other side of the building. And, as the rumble of laughter from the crowds carries across, remind yourself that these jobbing actors are continuing a great performance tradition. Known as the Actor’s Church, St Paul’s has held memorial services for Charlie Chaplin, Hattie Jacques, Vivien Leigh and many more. It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny lunch hour.
www.actorschurch.org

Get tickets to sell-out shows at the Royal Opera House

First, a warning – this involves lining up at an hour when you should be tucking into breakfast. If you’re British though, then queuing is in your blood anyway. And if there’s one thing worth queuing for, it’s a performance at the Royal Opera House. Turn up on the day of a performance – the box office opens at 10am but queues for popular productions can start from 7am – to purchase a same-day seat, of which 67 are available. You might want to count how many people are in front of you first.
www.royalopera.org

Just what is that twisty bridge?

As you stroll down the fashion alley of Floral Street you’ve no doubt looked up and wondered that weird glass bridge is all about. Well, wonder no longer – it’s called The Bridge of Aspiration, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, and it provides the dancers of the Royal Ballet School with a direct link to the Royal Opera House. The design comprises a concertina of 23 square portals with glazed intervals supported from an aluminum spine evoking, they say, ‘the fluidity and grace of dance’.
www.wilkinsoneyre.com

Hear top opera singers for free

Well, not free exactly, you’ll have to pay for a meal but it’s definitely worth it. Every Sunday, Sarastro restaurant on Drury Lane invites string quartets and opera singers in to serenade its diners. If you’ve not been, the food’s good Med-influenced cuisine and the ambience is truly operatic – think individually styled boxes, velvet drapes and all manner of theatrical props.
www.sarastro-restaurant.com

Drink in Covent Garden’s oldest pub

Formerly called the ‘Bucket of Blood’, after the bare-knuckle fights that were held here, this charming 300 year old pub in the heart of Covent Garden has all the atmosphere you’d expect from somewhere with such a colourful past. Known now as ‘The Lamb & Flag’, the food is simple and wholesome and, in the summer, drinkers spill out on to the courtyard, which adds some much-needed outside space to this very busy hostelry. If you need a sit-down, try the upstairs bar.
www.timeout.com/london/bars/reviews/12863.html

Find the centre of London

In the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square is a statue of King Charles I looking towards the place he was beheaded. It’s on a site once occupied by Queen Eleanor’s Cross (a replica of which is now in front of Charing Cross station) and is the place from which all distances, both national and international, to London are measured. While there, why not check out the former world’s smallest police station too, hidden away under a tree near the foot of Nelson’s Column. Now a cleaner’s store, it’s unnoticed by the hordes of tourists around it. You’ll recognise it by the distinctive light on top, which is not from Nelson’s HMS Victory, despite what some guidebooks might tell you.

Marvel at Covent Garden’s risqué history

The 18th century saw a boom in maritime trade and with the ships came sailors and a growing demand for prostitutes. The traditional image is of these women hanging around the docks but, by the middle of the 18th century, Covent Garden was full of ‘lodging houses’ and several Turkish Baths, which often doubled up as brothels.

Sir John Fielding, the magistrate, called Covent Garden ‘the great square of Venus’. He said, ‘One would imagine that all the prostitutes in the kingdom had picked upon the rendezvous’.
Such was the scale that in 1757 a directory of prostitutes was published (and went on to sell 8,000 copies over 38 annual editions), entitled Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies. It provided biographical details of the prostitutes, described their appearance and personality, and listed their sexual specialties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris%27s_List_of_Covent_Garden_Ladies

Check out the headquarters of Britain’s biggest secret society

It’s the ultimate secret society, a fraternal organisation of influential men who attract almost as many conspiracy theories as members. Much has been written about Freemasonry since its rise from obscure origins in the late 16th century but no one can question the majesty of the organisation’s London Headquarters – Freemasons Hall on Covent Garden’s Great Queen Street. Fans on the BBC drama ‘Spooks’ will recognize it as the setting for the team’s HQ, while those who’ve been inside (you can rent it for an event) will be blown away by the brilliant marble-pillared reception area and art-deco ceilings.
And if you’re not quite ready to join a secret society, but fancy some Freemason-themed goods, there’s even a Masonic shop selling branded ties, badges and edible underwear. We may have made one of these up.
www.ugle.org.uk