A track game around Covent Garden

Covent Garden Market was originally called Convent Garden, as it was where the fruit and vegetables for the Monks of Westminster were grown. The market started in 1670, after the and by the 1700s the area was famous for its coffee houses and for its artists and actors.

Look at the street artists! (jugglers, dancers, singers etc...)

Start on the West Piazza.

The church in front of you is called and nicknamed the Actors Church. 

Who designed it?  

Go on into Chandos Place.

Turn right into Bedfordbury and left into Brydges Place. 

Brydges Place is the narrowest alley in London. Take a selfie with your friends or family behind you!

Turn right into Saint Martin's Lane.

Go past a theatre on your left. 

What is its name? . 

What is playing at the moment? 

Take Cecil Court on your left, and Charing Cross Road on your right.

What is the name of the theatre on your right? . 

What is playing at the moment?    

When you exit the church on the West Piazza, turn right, then left into Henrietta Street, and right into Southampton Street.

Turn right into Maiden Lane. 

London’s oldest restaurant, Rules, has been trading since 1798. Many famous people of the nineteenth century have dined here, including Charles Dickens. To the right of the main entrance is a side door built for Edward VII so that he could entertain his lady friends in private.

Maiden Lane was originally a country lane, and provides access to the back doors of various theatres in the Strand, including the Adelphi. Queen Victoria used this entrance in order to avoid the crowds at the front entrance, an event which is commemorated by the royal coat of arms displayed on the door. Can you see it? 

At the corner of Chandos Place and Bedford Street, have a look at the first restaurant on your left. What is it called?

What does it mean?

Take Little Newport Street on your left, then Newport Place on your right, and Gerrard Street on your left.

Where are you?

Street signs are written in and and there is a lot of bright red paint (which the Chinese believe to be the colour of good luck).

Take Gerrard Street to the end and turn right into Wardour Street, then left into Shaftesbury Avenue.

Shaftesbury Avenue was built in the late 1800s and is today home to many of London’s famous . They all survived the bombing of London during the Blitz in 1940 and are what give Shaftesbury Avenue its name, “the heart of Theatreland”.

Have a look at the names of some theatres and the plays that are performed at the moment.

Take the second on your left (Great Windmill Street), and then Coventry Street on your left.

You arrive on Leicester Square.

What is the name of the toy shop on your right?

Of the huge chocolate shop on your left?

What Swiss landmark can you see at the entrance of the Square?

Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, the centre of London's cinema land. One of the signs marking the Square bears the legend "Theatreland".Can you find it?

It is synonymous with London’s nightlife. 

Leicester Square holds a number of nationally important cinemas such as the Odeon Leicester Square or the Empire which are frequently used for film premieres.The nearby Prince Charles Cinema is popular for showing cult films. It contains the cinema with the largest screen and another with the most seats (over 1,600). The Empire stands on the site of the old Empire theatre, which closed in 1927. Its final performance featured Fred Astaire.

The square is a popular tourist attraction, including hosting events for the Chinese New Year.

Find Harry Potter's statue!

In the middle of the square is a small park that was originally available for common use such as washing clothes and herding cattle. Can you find a statue with the greatest English playwright?

Look for the TKTS booth. What is it?

Well done!! Now what about buying tickets for one of tonight's shows?