Last week, we finished off a long and tiring class trip to London (after a trip to the Natural History Museum and a long walk through Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards and Trafalgar Square) with some free time and shopping in Covent Garden.
Before we arrived, I'd read online that we'd be visiting during Covent Garden in Bloom (on from 19th May - 24th June), and even before we arrived in the main area, we could see flowers and foliage adorning the shopfronts.
I always love strolling around the quirky shops, browsing the market stalls and watching the street entertainers, but the old fashioned-looking carts festooned with crates of greenery made it extra special.
There are also several flower-bedecked swing seats dotted around for you to rest your weary legs, but they were all taken for the whole time that we visited unfortunately.
This year, Covent Garden has been working closely with Gavin Jones and hosting their very own Chelsea Fringe garden.
This pretty area must surely be one of the most Instagrammable sites in Covent Garden at the moment as there were constantly people waiting their turn to pose in the heart shape !
I love the way the shops and restaurants have got in on the act too and added beautiful, brightly coloured floral displays outside of their premises, such as this one outside of The Ivy Market Grill.
Miller Harris has another particularly striking display - I love their use of texture with the wispy foliage.
Top marks also go to Monica Vinader and Nars for their eye-catching designs.
Even the chain stores like Skechers had put in an effort so it was lovely to wander around, window shopping and taking in the floral displays before starting the serious retail therapy.
Covent Garden is always an architectural delight, but, along with the flowers, there were also lots and lots of Union Jacks, possibly left over from the royal wedding.
Punch and Judy and Union Jacks - now how's that for the ultimate blend of iconic British symbols ?!
I can see why those swinging benches were occupied all the time, they look so inviting. You managed to cram a lot of sightseeing in one trip. I imagine you were all exhausted by the end of the day. Most beautiful flower displays!
ReplyDeleteI really like the Monica Vinada display! But all if it is lovely.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day out, the photos are lovely too, you managed to fit a lot in xxx
ReplyDeleteCovent Garden is lovely. The only problem is stopping in a cafe and then realising how expensive it is!
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