Long read: Inside Story Was going to say Karen and Adam have emptied the pockets of several stunning London interiors and laid the contents out before us. Empty schmempty. It’s better than that. They take us into those pockets. Some of them places** you wouldn’t be able to get into if you weren’t on this walk. Special places, privileged places. Here’s Poet Laureate John Betjeman on one: “unique and irreplaceable and part of literary and theatrical London. It’s historic – quite different from a museum because it’s living and in use, not an exhibit.” And its setting, its street? “It’s unmitigated London – human in scale, irregular in height and width, the kind of street that’s fast disappearing.” So: Downton Abbey film location, lost rivers, faded menus, whipping post, ballet students, private dining rooms, portable flogging and beheading kit, Pearly king, silver-domed trollies, night watchman’s tardis, famous actress’ ashes in a tea caddy, horseshoes, personal letters and gifts, Grand Cigar Divan, cabinet particulaire where the prince and the actress dined (and, you can be sure, canoodled) privately, etc. here we come! Great walk. Guided by Karen (winner of the Guide of the Year Award***) or Adam. Want a preview of the walk – and the guiding? Watch the video.
*”privileged access” – not using the term lightly. One of the knock-offs tried to horn into one of these interiors (“London Walks comes in here, are you saying we can’t” “Yes, that’s what we’re saying. Now there’s the door – get out of here and don’t come back.”) **On three floors, all of which we visit! ***The Guide of the Year Award was just Karen limbering up. She hit her stride in the Travel & Leisure article that dubbed her “the world’s greatest guide”
INSIDE COVENT GARDEN – THE PRACTICALS
Inside Story – Covent Garden Interiors takes place every* Thursday at 10.15 am. Meet Karen or Jan orAdam, or Simon or Clairejust outside the exit of Covent Garden Tube. N.B. the walk ends in Trafalgar Square, seconds away from Charing Cross Station and only a couple of minutes away from Leicester Square Tube.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Inside Story – Covent Garden it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Inside Story – Covent Garden walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Enjoyed the tour, but the group was far too large to move around comfortably, especially when inside Rules Restaurant (this stop probably could have been shortened to include the first floor only) . Regrettably we forgot which woman led our tour, but she was entertaining and knowledgeable. Ironically, the tour does really not focus on the central Covent Garden marketplace, except to view an old sign in one corner – the tour focused more on the periphery. At least we avoided the crowds by taking this approach. Felt a little like we were stretching for time – maybe more stops could be considered with less time at each one. Still would recommend the tour without hesitation.
Rated 5 out of 5
Marilyn Raynor –
London Walks never disappoint. Adam’s tour of Covent Garden was full of fascinating and unexpected facts. Lots of fun!
Rated 5 out of 5
Tom Wears –
We always do London Walks when we visit London because they are all so informative and enjoyable. Today’s Covent Garden walk with Simon was exceptional. We have been in Covent Garden many times but today’s walk highlighted historical features and contexts that we never would have observed on our own. Simon was extremely knowledgeable about Covent Garden history and conveyed the stories and details in a captivating manner. Because of his contacts in the area, Simon was able to get us in to several churches and historical restaurants on no-notice where he presented the background of these fantastic locations. A must-do in Covent Garden!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jacky –
Karen was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide with a great presenting style. Even though I used to work in Covent Garden 30-odd years ago it has changed so much. Despite the “actors church” being currently closed for refurbishment, Karen was recognised as we peered through the locked gate, and a very friendly chap let us into the garden area for a sneaky look. What a treat. Very interesting to see inside Rules restaurant and we were lucky enough to see the Graham Greene room on the top floor. Definitely recommend this tour. High Five to Karen!
Rated 5 out of 5
Katrina –
This was our third walk and lucky us, Karen was our guide! We loved this walk and we loved Karen’s engaging style and insights to Covent Garden. Highly recommend!!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Marilyn Raynor –
As with all of our London Walks this tour of Covent Garden with Adam was excellent. So much history, so much information that we never would have gleaned on our own. We loved getting a behind the scenes look at Rules and exploring two of the beautiful churches in the area. Adam was funny and engaging too! We never come to London without doing one of your walks (this time two!)
Rated 5 out of 5
Ann robinson –
I so enjoyed this tour by Simon today-the inside track on Rules restaurant, 1 ghost, 2 churches, 2 pubs named after Nell Gwynn, a tranquil churchyard and a great mix of stories, history and characters that really brought the area to life.
Rated 5 out of 5
Vibeke Arentz –
This is a gem of a tour. Karen is a superb guide – no wonder she received Travel and Leisure magazine’s best guide award. She is engaging, inspiring, personal and passionate. Two hours in Covent Garden with Karen and you learn the stories of all the artists here, and the special places, including a private tour of Rules restaurant, the oldest restaurant in London founded in 1798. My husband and I loved the restaurant so much that we dined there that day and thus spent the whole day in Covent Garden after Karen’s fabulous tour. (Other highlights, and there were so many more – the Aritst’s Church (real name St Paul’s Church) where there are memorials to countless known actors and artists; beautiful and iconic Covent Garden Market; the lovely Catholic Church that honors the patron saint of the artists/theater – every corner of Covent Garden is now yours because of this tour. You’ll love it – enjoy!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jayne Saunders –
Adam was an excellent guide around the Covent Garden tour last month. There was an incredible amount of information and knowledge that he shared. He’s definitely a tough act to follow. Thank you for such an enjoyable tour.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sue Griffin –
We have done numerous walks over the years. And a number with Adam – he is great, knowledgeable and humorous. We loved our Covent Garden walk with Adam. We finished with a greater understanding of Covent Garden, the changes it has been through & some of the special places. Access to Rules restaurant was a highlight.
Reserve your place on Inside Story – Covent Garden
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Brian –
Enjoyed the tour, but the group was far too large to move around comfortably, especially when inside Rules Restaurant (this stop probably could have been shortened to include the first floor only) . Regrettably we forgot which woman led our tour, but she was entertaining and knowledgeable. Ironically, the tour does really not focus on the central Covent Garden marketplace, except to view an old sign in one corner – the tour focused more on the periphery. At least we avoided the crowds by taking this approach. Felt a little like we were stretching for time – maybe more stops could be considered with less time at each one. Still would recommend the tour without hesitation.
Marilyn Raynor –
London Walks never disappoint. Adam’s tour of Covent Garden was full of fascinating and unexpected facts. Lots of fun!
Tom Wears –
We always do London Walks when we visit London because they are all so informative and enjoyable. Today’s Covent Garden walk with Simon was exceptional. We have been in Covent Garden many times but today’s walk highlighted historical features and contexts that we never would have observed on our own. Simon was extremely knowledgeable about Covent Garden history and conveyed the stories and details in a captivating manner. Because of his contacts in the area, Simon was able to get us in to several churches and historical restaurants on no-notice where he presented the background of these fantastic locations. A must-do in Covent Garden!!
Jacky –
Karen was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide with a great presenting style. Even though I used to work in Covent Garden 30-odd years ago it has changed so much. Despite the “actors church” being currently closed for refurbishment, Karen was recognised as we peered through the locked gate, and a very friendly chap let us into the garden area for a sneaky look. What a treat. Very interesting to see inside Rules restaurant and we were lucky enough to see the Graham Greene room on the top floor. Definitely recommend this tour. High Five to Karen!
Katrina –
This was our third walk and lucky us, Karen was our guide! We loved this walk and we loved Karen’s engaging style and insights to Covent Garden. Highly recommend!!!
Marilyn Raynor –
As with all of our London Walks this tour of Covent Garden with Adam was excellent. So much history, so much information that we never would have gleaned on our own. We loved getting a behind the scenes look at Rules and exploring two of the beautiful churches in the area. Adam was funny and engaging too! We never come to London without doing one of your walks (this time two!)
Ann robinson –
I so enjoyed this tour by Simon today-the inside track on Rules restaurant, 1 ghost, 2 churches, 2 pubs named after Nell Gwynn, a tranquil churchyard and a great mix of stories, history and characters that really brought the area to life.
Vibeke Arentz –
This is a gem of a tour. Karen is a superb guide – no wonder she received Travel and Leisure magazine’s best guide award. She is engaging, inspiring, personal and passionate. Two hours in Covent Garden with Karen and you learn the stories of all the artists here, and the special places, including a private tour of Rules restaurant, the oldest restaurant in London founded in 1798. My husband and I loved the restaurant so much that we dined there that day and thus spent the whole day in Covent Garden after Karen’s fabulous tour. (Other highlights, and there were so many more – the Aritst’s Church (real name St Paul’s Church) where there are memorials to countless known actors and artists; beautiful and iconic Covent Garden Market; the lovely Catholic Church that honors the patron saint of the artists/theater – every corner of Covent Garden is now yours because of this tour. You’ll love it – enjoy!!
Jayne Saunders –
Adam was an excellent guide around the Covent Garden tour last month. There was an incredible amount of information and knowledge that he shared. He’s definitely a tough act to follow. Thank you for such an enjoyable tour.
Sue Griffin –
We have done numerous walks over the years. And a number with Adam – he is great, knowledgeable and humorous. We loved our Covent Garden walk with Adam. We finished with a greater understanding of Covent Garden, the changes it has been through & some of the special places. Access to Rules restaurant was a highlight.