The History of Covent Garden
From Monastic Gardens to London's Vibrant Heart
1200: Abbey Fields
Covent Garden’s first historical record describes it as fields owned by Westminster Abbey, referred to as ‘the garden of the Abbey and Convent’.
1540: Royal Grant
John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, was granted the land by the Crown. A century later, his descendant would transform it into an innovative neighbourhood with the support of King Charles I.
1630: Inigo Jones & The Piazza
Inigo Jones, the most influential architect of the day, was commissioned by the 5th Earl of Bedford to design the country’s first public square at Covent Garden, known as the Piazza.
1654: Market Emerges
The first written mention of the “new market in Covent Garden” dates back to this year. Traders began to set up food stalls, gradually taking over more of the grand square.
1666: London's Main Market
Following the Great Fire of London, Covent Garden became London’s most significant market, with the entire square dedicated to selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
1670: Market Formalized
The 5th Earl of Bedford obtained letters patent, formalizing the market’s existence and granting him authority to gather traders daily (except Sundays and Christmas Day) for a fee.
The grant stipulated the market could only sell fruit, flowers, roots, and herbs, and not expand beyond the Piazza.
18th Century: "Nuisances of the Market"
By the mid-18th century, the market's popularity led to complaints from locals about noise, smell, obstructed streets, unauthorized alcohol sales, and "profligate and disorderly people." Property values were seen to diminish.
1828: Charles Fowler's Vision
John Russell, the 6th Duke of Bedford, commissioned Charles Fowler to design a proper market building. Fowler's Greco-Roman design was revolutionary for its focus on function and practicality.
1830: Grand Opening
The new Covent Garden Market building opened in May, drawing crowds to the attractive and well-managed site. The investment, though substantial, proved highly profitable for the Duke of Bedford.
1970s: Community Victory
Strong campaigns by local residents successfully thwarted plans to demolish and redevelop Covent Garden, preserving its historic character.
1980: Europe's First Speciality Shopping Centre
After a five-year renovation, Covent Garden re-opened as Europe’s first speciality shopping centre, evolving into the vibrant destination it is today, home to shops, restaurants, theatres, and street performers.