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Art, culture and exhibitions in and around Covent Garden
Covent Garden is surrounded by esteemed establishments boasting some of the most exquisite collections in London. Lovers of art can enjoy the nearby exhibits at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery or simply stroll across the Strand to Somerset House for the latest immersive exhibit.
Bow Street Police Museum
Bow Street Police Museum tells the story of the early Bow Street Patrols and Runners, London’s first official law enforcement service, and the Metropolitan Police officers who walked the streets of Covent Garden in their footsteps. Located on the site of the 1881 Bow Street Magistrate’s Court and Police Station, the Museum is filled with rich stories of investigations, arrests and justice being served. From the earliest watchmen who tackled crime with nothing more than a lantern and a staff, to the modern Magistrates presiding over cases of international renown.
London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum is one of the main visitor attractions in Covent Garden. Bringing to life the history of London’s public transport network — its buses, trains, tubes and taxis, from the 19th century to the present day, the Museum appeals to young people and adults alike. With an emphasis on interactivity, the exhibits range from impressive historic vehicles to striking examples of the transport network’s famous poster art and graphic design.
The British Museum
Just a moment’s walk from Covent Garden stands one of the world’s greatest museums, a repository of extraordinary artefacts covering almost 2 million years of human history, all housed in a magnificent neo-classical building enhanced by Foster & Partners' Great Court which opened in 2000.
With a permanent collection that includes the Elgin marbles, the Rosetta stone and a rolling programme of themed exhibitions that draw together items of historical importance from all over the world, the British Museum is a place where the past is brought to life in a spectacular way.
The National Gallery
At the edge of Covent Garden, dominating the top of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses one of the world’s most impressive collections of Western European paintings.
Owned by the nation, these works of art date from between the 13th and the 19th centuries, including masterpieces by many of the greatest talents ever to have applied paint to canvas: Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Goya, Degas, Cézanne, Turner. Among the most popular exhibits are Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors, Claude Monet’s The Water Lily Pond and Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
