WEST END WALK - London 2015 - page 284

Back out on Covent Garden square, across from the west end of the market hall,
stands St. Paul's Church (not the famous cathedral), with its Greek temple-like facade
and blue clock face (notice the 50p WCs just to the left). Known as the Actors' Church, it's
long been a favorite of nervous performers praying for success. To go inside, pass through
one of the gates on either side of the facade, and find the entrance around back. If the
gates are closed, you can duck down the streets on either side of the church and look for
the passage leading to the tranquil churchyard—a nice escape from the busker bustle on
Covent Garden. Inside, the walls are lined with memorials to theater folk, some of whom
(Chaplin, Karloff) you might recognize (irregular hours, generally daily 8:30-17:30, often
later for special events, sometimes closed Mon in winter).
At the bottom (southeast) corner of the square is the London Transport Museum,
which gives a well-presented look at the evolution of this city's famously well-planned
mass transit system (see here ) .
Tucked into the top (northeast) corner of the square is the Royal Opera House, which
showcases top-notch opera and ballet. For such a high-profile building, it has a surpris-
ingly low-profile entrance (through the revolving door in the corner of the square).