The City Adventurers headed to Covent Garden to see the Christmas lights.
First stop was the Piazza, outside St Paul’s Church, (affectionately known as The Actors’ Church) and the magnificent 60ft British-grown Christmas tree.
Heading towards the market we came across a traditionally decorated Sleigh in the South Hall of the Market Building. It is a sustainably sourced, reconditioned 1884 carriage hand painted by British artist James Gemmill. During the day there is a big queue for family photos, but if you are around after dark, the adults also get a chance for a festive photo moment. We were there long enough to take turns sitting in the Sleigh.
The Market Halls are decorated with giant mistletoe sprigs and giant baubles.
At the other end of the market is the Dolce & Gabbana pop up. You can’t miss it with all the lights! Illuminating the East Piazza, this immersive pop up shop aims to mirror the Royal Opera House Arcade. Expect the best of Italian style, but be prepared to queue. We didn’t and, it was only later, we discovered the shop offers an exclusive T-shirt, that is only available in Covent Garden this winter.
We then headed to the Jubilee Market, which is next door. The covered market boasts an Antiques & Collectables Market every Monday, a General Market from Tuesday to Friday and an Arts & Crafts Market every weekend. As City Adventurers love puzzles we made straight for the puzzle store. Fig Tree Games is an independent toy shop that stocks a variety of wooden puzzles. We always stop there to see what new puzzles they have.
If you prefer your puzzles to be jigsaws, Toffee Nose of Covent Garden is the place to go. An array of jigsaw puzzles that the shop keeper is happy to talk about and a vast selection of traditional British confectionary. What more could you ask for?
