Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The “Actors' Church” of St. Paul, the Royal Opera House, and the London Transport
Museum(describednext)allborderthesquare,andtheatersarenearby.Theareaisapeople-
watcher's delight, with cigarette eaters, Punch-and-Judy acts, food that's good for you (but
not your wallet), trendy crafts, sweet whiffs of marijuana, two-tone hair (neither tone natur-
al), and faces that could set off a metal detector. For better Covent Garden lunch deals, walk
a block or two away from the eye of this touristic hurricane (check out the places north of
the Tube station, along Endell and Neal Streets).
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London Transport Museum
This modern, well-presented museum, located right at Covent Garden, is fun for kids and
thought-provoking for adults (if a bit overpriced). Whether you're cursing or marveling at
the buses and Tube, the growth of Europe's third-biggest city (after Moscow and Istanbul)
has been made possible by its public transit system.
After you enter, take the elevator up to the top floor...and the year 1800, when horse-
drawnvehiclesruledtheroad.Next,youdescendtothefirstfloorandtheworld'sfirstunder-
groundMetrosystem,whichusedsteam-poweredlocomotives(theCircleLine,c.1865).On
the ground floor, horses and trains are replaced by motorized vehicles (cars, taxis, double-
decker buses, streetcars), resulting in 20th-century congestion. Howto deal with it? In2003,
cardriversinLondonwereslappedwithacongestioncharge,andtoday,ahalf-billionpeople
ride the Tube every year.
Cost and Hours:
£13.50, ticket good for one year, Sat-Thu 10:00-18:00, Fri
11:00-18:00,lastentry45minutesbeforeclosing,pleasantupstairscaféwithCoventGarden
view, in southeast corner of Covent Garden courtyard, Tube: Covent Garden, switchboard
tel. 020/7379-6344, recorded info tel. 020/7565-7299,
www.ltmuseum.co.uk
.
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Courtauld Gallery
While less impressive than the National Gallery, this wonderful and compact collection of
paintings is still a joy. The gallery is part of the Courtauld Institute of Art, and the thought-
ful descriptions of each piece of art remind visitors that the gallery is still used for teaching.
You'll see medieval European paintings and works by Rubens, the Impressionists (Manet,
Monet, and Degas), Post-Impressionists (such as Cézanne), and more. Besides the perman-
ent collection, a quality selection of loaners and temporary exhibits are often included in the
entry fee. The gallery is located within the grand Somerset House; enjoy the riverside eater-
ies and the courtyard featuring a playful fountain.
