walk/tour
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20 Southampton Street, WC2E 7QH
The tour charts the evolution of Covent Garden-incorporating the piazza, the wholesale produce market, social residential areas and supporting neighbourhoods - highlighting the social and commercial highs, lows and challenges.
Leicester Square, Temple, Covent Garden
Charing Cross
Covent Garden has become a much visited neighbourhood by people from all over the globe. We explore how the area evolved from a kitchen garden to a giant wholesale produce market and was supplying clients throughout the UK. We look at one locality which supplied a variety of peripheral services to the market, as well the residential areas in latter years. At the same time highlighting the struggle to keep the area intact on the departure of the wholesale market and the impact on the local inhabitants and businesses as well as the area.
Guide: Tony Ganio has been constantly fascinated by the evolving face of London over the years. He has always had an interest in design and architecture and loves the extraordinary mix that we have in our city.
This tour is led by an alumnus of Open City’s Golden Key Academy – a course training up insightful and engaging guides dedicated to explaining London and bringing its many stories to life.
Further info on the Golden Key Academy can be found here https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy
Meet in front of the bronze Covent Garden Market Plaque
20 Southampton Street
WC2E 7QH
Drop in
historical house, institution/profession
A very good example of Georgian/Adam architecture. Restoration 2012 of Great Room (James Barry paintings), Benjamin Franklin room. 2019, restoration and installation of 1754-2018 mural in the new Long Gallery.
Adam Brothers, 1774
Guided tour
The creation of new public realm along Strand, south of Aldwych, has been described as the one of the best things to happen to London in years. It is an exemplar of what's possible when road space is reclaimed for people and for nature.
LDA Design - Landscape Architect, 2022
