Click here for a list of local hotels

Click here for a list of the theatres near Covent Garden Piazza

Covent Garden, the Piazza and the Market Building is always open, but the shops usually operate between 10am and 8pm Monday to Saturday and on Sunday from around 11am to 6pm. The Apple Market is open daily from 10am until 6pm and the East Colonnade Market is open from 10:30am until 7pm

Covent Garden, the Piazza and the Market Building is a public space and free for anyone to walk around day or night

There are several car parks just a short walk from the Covent Garden Piazza, including the NCP Car Park on Drury Lane, Q-Park Chinatown, and Q-Park Bedfordbury. There is limited street parking, especially during peak hours with permit parking for residents in most public streets.

Covent Garden Tube Station is just a short walk from the Market Building, located at the end of James Street. The station is on the Piccadilly Line. Please note that there are 193 steps to street level at Covent Garden Station, it’s quite a climb! We recommend taking the lifts.

During peak times we suggest getting off at Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern Line), which is a short walk to Covent Garden.

Holborn (Central Line) is only a ten minute walk from Covent Garden. Here is the best walking route via Google Maps

Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth Line) is a fifteen minute walk from Covent Garden. Here is the best walking route via Google Maps

Embankment (Circle, District, Bakerloo and Northern Line) is a ten minute walk to Covent Garden. Here is the best walking route via Google Maps

Inside the Market Building, you’ll find the 2theloo bathrooms, which cost £1.50 to use. Additional toilets are located on either side of the portico by St Paul’s Church, accessible via the West Piazza. These facilities cost 50p. A disabled toilet is also available in Tavistock Court, beside Jubilee Market.

There are ATMs on King Street outside HSBC and on Long Acre outside FujiFilm .

The nearest Foreign Exchange Centre is Covent Garden FX

Covent Garden still retains its historical charm with Grade || listed featured and iconic cobbles. There are a number of wheelchair accessible routes around Covent Garden, with the smoothest way in to the Market Building being from Russell Street where there are a number of ramps and the bottom of James Street. Should you need any assistance in Covent Garden please visit the security office in Central Avenue (The Market Building).

Covent Garden, the Piazza and the Market Building welcomes dogs to walk through, however we ask that you are considerate and pick up after your dogs.

There are a number of dog friendly establishments in Covent Garden including Ave Mario, Shake Shack and Chestnut Bakery, discover them here.

If you are in Covent Garden with your four legged friend and snap a picture, ensure to share with our Instagram tag #DogsofCoventGarden

For all new office enquiries please contact offices@shaftesburycapital.com

The Apple Market is dedicated to British hand-made craft from Tuesday to Sunday. Click here to download an application form and here to find out more about the selection process. Once completed, send your application form to helpdesk@coventgardenmarket.co.uk

Every Monday The Apple Market is dedicated to antiques and collectables. Click here to download an application form. Once completed, send your form to helpdesk@coventgardenmarket.co.uk

Please send all enquiries for the East Colonnade Market to: helpdesk@coventgardenmarket.co.uk

Covent Garden Market regularly hosts auditions for talented vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, and variety or circus performers to showcase their skills at our world-famous destination. 

The auditions are managed by Shaftesbury Capital, the landlords of Covent Garden, who have established a clear process for performing within the Market Building only. 
Please note that other nearby areas including the West Piazza, James Street, and the space outside the London Transport Museum are managed by Westminster City Council and are not covered by this audition process. 

Performance Pitches 

There are two designated busking pitches within the Market Building: 

North Hall 

The North Hall primarily welcomes variety and circus performers, though a limited number of spaces are available for acoustic musicians. 

• Performers must present a structured show demonstrating a high level of skill and strong audience engagement. 

• Musicians should be able to draw and retain a crowd using only acoustic instruments. 

• Singers may use a microphone but must observe the 85dB volume limit due to the building’s listed status. 

• Electricity is not provided, all equipment must be battery-powered, and performers must bring their own microphones if required. 

South Hall (Lower Courtyard) 

The South Hall, located downstairs, is reserved for opera singers and classically trained instrumentalists. 

• Singers must be able to project their voice naturally across the space, as amplification is not permitted. 

• For auditions, singers may use backing tracks played on a battery-powered speaker. 

Important Restrictions 

Due to the building’s listed status, the following instruments are not permitted on either pitch: wind or brass instruments, electric guitars, drums, accordions, bagpipes, and didgeridoos. 

Audition Details 

• Location: North Hall (ground level, opposite Russell Street) 

• Frequency: Four times a year 

• Start time: 10:30am (please arrive by 10:15am to register) 

• Duration: Each audition lasts up to 3 minutes 

Key Guidelines 

• No electricity is available; all equipment must be battery powered. 

• North Hall musicians: may use a microphone, but no backing tracks. 

• South Hall singers: may use backing tracks, but no microphones. 

• Variety and circus performers: must present a structured and engaging show. 

2026 Audition Dates 

Audition dates for 2026 will be released soon. Please check back for updates. 

We aim to contact all auditioned performers within one week of their audition with the outcome. All decisions made by the judging panel are final. 

The auditions are overseen by representatives from the Courtyard Musicians’ Association, Street Performers’ Association, and the Shaftesbury Capital Covent Garden Management Team. 

We look forward to welcoming new talent to Covent Garden! 

Yes, please contact residentialmanagement@shaftesburycapital.com

Yes, but you need permission. Please email marketing@shaftesburycapital.com with the following details and paper work to seek approval:

• What is the filming for?

• Where exactly in Covent Garden do you wish to film? 

• Where will it be distributed?

• What equipment will you be using?

• Will you be asking any vox pops?

• What is the size of your crew?

• How long will you be on site for?

The paper work we need is:

• A minimum of 10million Public Liability Insurance

• Date and site specific risk and method assessment

Please contact marketing@shaftesburycapital.com.

Please contact the marketing team (marketing@shaftesburycapital.com)