Page 61 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

L ONDON  59

new site and Covent Garden
was revamped. Today, only St.
Paul’s Church remains of Inigo
Jones’s buildings. Samuel Pepys
saw a Punch and Judy show
under the portico in 1662, and
street entertainment has been
a tradition here ever since.
The Royal Opera House
(see p103), designed in 1858 by
E.M. Barry, but totally renovated
A street performer in front of crowds in Covent Garden’s Piazza in 1997–9, is home to the Royal
Opera and Royal Ballet
Christopher Wren in 1684, and 9 Covent Garden Companies. Many of the
the 18th-century Spencer WC2. 1 Covent Garden. @ 1, 6, 9, world’s greatest dance
House contains fine period 13, 15, 23, 59, 68, 87, 91, 168, 171, 176. performers have appeared
furniture and paintings. This ( daily. on its stage.
Palladian palace was built for Covent Garden has many
an ancestor of Princess Diana. The buzzing open-air cafés, theatrical associations. The
Shopping in and around street entertainers, stylish site of the Theatre Royal,
Piccadilly is very expensive, shops, and markets make completed in 1812, has been
especially in Bond Street, where Covent Garden a magnet for occupied by a theater since
many famous designer labels visitors. The name derives from 1663. St. Martin’s Theatre is
have stores, and in the a medieval convent garden home to the world’s longest-
Burlington Arcade, which is which supplied Westminster running play, The Mousetrap.
patroled by beadles. On Abbey with produce. Other attractions include the
Piccadilly itself, Fortnum and At its center is the Piazza, London Transport Museum
Mason, founded in 1707, is one designed by 17th-century and an area of “alternative”
of London’s most pres tigious architect Inigo Jones as an shops around Neal Street and
food stores, while the grand Ritz elegant residential square, after Neal’s Yard. The Lamb and Flag
hotel is a popular afternoon-tea an example from the Tuscan (1623) in Rose Street is one of
venue for the suitably dressed. town of Livorno. For a time, London’s oldest pubs.
Jermyn Street is renowned for houses around the Piazza were
high-quality men’s clothing. highly sought-after, but decline E London Transport Museum
South of Piccadilly is St. James’s accelerated when a fruit and Covent Garden WC2. Tel 020-7379
Square, laid out in the 1670s vegetable market developed. 6344. Open daily. Closed Dec 24–26.
and dominated by a statue of In 1973, the market moved to a 8 & 7 - ∑ ltmuseum.co.uk
William III. It has long been the
most fashionable address in
London. Pall Mall, named after
the 17th-century game of palle-
maille (a cross between croquet
and golf) once played here, is
lined with gentlemen’s clubs,
which admit only members
and their guests. It leads to the
16th-century St. James’s Palace,
built for Henry VIII. The palace is
still the official headquarters of
the Court of St. James. Opposite
is the Queen’s Chapel, the first
Classical church in England.
E Royal Academy
Burlington House, Piccadilly W1.
Tel 020-7300 8000. Open daily.
Closed Good Fri, Dec 24–26. & for
exhibitions. 8 reserve in advance.
7 ∑ royalacademy.org.uk
P Spencer House
27 St. James’s Pl SW1. Tel 020-7514
1958. Open Sun. Closed Jan & Aug.
& 8 compulsory. 7
∑ spencer house.co.uk Statue of a resting ballerina facing the Royal Opera House

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