Covent Garden Tube Station

Covent Garden underground station is located in the West End district of Covent Garden on the corner of Long Acre and James Street. The station is serviced by the Piccadilly line (dark blue) and is positioned between Leicester Square and Holborn stations.

Unlike the majority of London's underground stations that have escalators for public use, the train platforms in Covent Garden tube station can only be accessed via lifts or stairs - which quite often doesn't help with the pedestrian congestion within the station. As Covent Garden is the most popular West End destination, the tube station does get ridiculously busy, especially on weekends, and passengers are frequently advised to walk to the area from an alternative station such as Leicester Square which is less then 300 metres walk away to the west and Leicester Square itself is only a few minutes walk from Covent Garden. But to keep things a little interesting in the station there is apparently a ghost who haunts the passageways; actor William Terriss was murdered outside the Aldelfi Theatre on The Strand in the late 19th century and apparently frequented the bakery which once stood on the same site as Covent Garden station.

As you come out of the station and head south you will walk past High Street shops such as Accessorize, Monsoon, GAP and Boots Pharmacy before reaching the Covent Garden Piazza - a favourite for locals and visitors alike, where street entertainers perform daily under the watchful eye of the famous Punch & Judy pub and the Apple Market and Jubilee Hall Market are great for browsing through on any given day. Then there are the designer and exclusive clothing label shops, cafes and restaurants to dine in and all the treats, treasures and tasty delights to be discovered in Neal Street and Neal's Yard which are to the north of the station.

Covent Garden, like most of the West End, is home to many of London's (and Europe's) greatest theatres including the Cambridge Theatre on Earlham St, the New Ambassadors Theatre on West Street, the Duchess Theatre on Catherine Street and the Theatre Museum located in the old flower market on Russell Street is definitely worth a visit.

Most of London's Underground Stations have disabled access via lifts, and when you hear the recorded voice on every train platform advising you to 'mind the gap', this really is advice that should be taken seriously. It is also a universal fact that busy underground train stations and crowded city areas are a haven for pick-pockets so to ensure your journey and day out is enjoyable and stress-free, just be a little street wise with your belongings.