Door Number 2: Covent Garden

Day 2 on our London advent calendar is Covent Garden.

Visitors to London and locals alike seeking some Christmas magic will often make Covent Garden their first stop.  Covent Garden pulls out all the stops for Christmas and is always one of the first places I  wander through when exploring Christmassy London.

There is something quite special about Covent Garden at any time of year but at Christmas it becomes especially beautiful when the magic and sparkle is turned up a few notches.

The Apple market filled with independent market traders selling their creative wares is decorated with mirror balls, giant mistletoe sprigs and enormous baubles.  These are suspended from the ceiling and shimmer and shine all day and night long. No matter how many time I see them, I always pause to stop and stare

Highly polished shop windows are filled with tempting festive displays.  On my first visit to Covent Garden in the Christmas season I go early and before anything much is open. This is when the peacefulness can be found and there is something rather lovely about watching a place come to life.  Deliveries are made, the streets are being cleaned and workers are wending their way to offices, wrapped up against the cold, clasping hot cups of coffee.

At the entrance stands a vast 60 ft Christmas tree smothered in tiny red and white lights. The huge silver baubles reflect the red nosed faces of those passing by and those gathering beneath its branches. It comes alive as the sun goes down and is the perfect photo opportunity, although trying to capture it in all its sparkling entirety is quite the challenge.

It doesn’t often snow in London but this year in Covent Garden, snow flurries will fall every hour from midday.  I can’t wait!

You can find more of my festive London pictures on my instagram page