Covent Garden Station, London
Covent Garden Station is a centrally located London Underground station situated in the heart of the West End. Known for serving one of London’s most popular tourist areas, it provides vital access to the bustling markets, theatres, and street performances of Covent Garden.
Location and Entrances
Covent Garden Station is located on the eastern side of James Street, just off Long Acre, in the London Borough of Camden. The station’s main entrance is a distinctive red oxblood terracotta building designed in the classic early 20th-century Underground style by Leslie Green.
This street-level building contains only the ticket hall and the station’s entrance and exit points. Unlike larger interchange stations, Covent Garden does not share its space with shops or eateries inside the station building itself, but it sits adjacent to a wide array of boutiques, cafés, and market stalls surrounding the historic Covent Garden Piazza.
Distance from Charing Cross
The station is located approximately 0.4 miles (650 metres) northeast of Charing Cross by road, making it a short 8 to 10-minute walk through the theatre district and past landmarks such as Leicester Square and St Martin's Lane.
Services and Connections
Covent Garden Station is served exclusively by the Piccadilly line of the London Underground. It does not offer services on the Overground, National Rail, or other Tube lines.
On the Piccadilly line, the preceding station when travelling westbound is Leicester Square, and the next station eastbound is Holborn. The station lies within Travelcard Zone 1.
Station Design and Accessibility
Like many deep-level Tube stations built in the early 20th century, Covent Garden has no escalators. Instead, passengers must use either lifts (elevators) or a 193-step spiral staircase to reach the platforms. There are four lifts in total, and during busy hours, queues may form due to limited capacity.
Because of these limitations, the station is not step-free and is not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments. Leicester Square Station, which is only 260 metres away and offers easier access, is often suggested as an alternative entry point to the Covent Garden area.
History of Covent Garden Station
Covent Garden Station opened on 11 April 1907 as part of the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway (GNP&BR), one of the precursors of today’s Piccadilly line. The original design by Leslie Green features his signature oxblood-red glazed tiles and wide-arched windows on the façade.
From the outset, the station was known as Covent Garden, named after the adjoining area. The name "Covent Garden" itself originates from "Convent Garden", the medieval walled garden of Westminster Abbey monks that once stood in this area.
Fun Facts and Curiosities
- Covent Garden Station is one of the busiest single-line stations on the Underground network, largely due to tourist footfall.
- The station is known for frequent overcrowding during weekends and is sometimes designated “exit-only” during peak times to manage crowds.
- Owing to its proximity to Leicester Square, the shortest distance between two adjacent stations on the Underground is between these two stations — just about 300 yards (275 metres) apart.
- There is an urban legend of a ghost known as the “Theatre Manager” haunting the station’s corridors, allegedly linked to the nearby Royal Opera House.
Surrounding Area and Attractions
The station opens directly into one of London’s most vibrant areas. Within steps of the entrance, visitors can explore the Covent Garden Market, the London Transport Museum, the Royal Opera House, and a wide selection of restaurants and fashion retailers.
Street performers, magicians, and musicians are a constant presence in the Covent Garden Piazza, offering free entertainment to crowds and adding to the area’s unique charm. It’s also a hub for West End theatre, with several playhouses located nearby.
Tips for Visitors
- Avoid peak times: Visit outside the lunchtime and evening rush hours, especially on weekends, to avoid long queues for the lifts.
- Use nearby stations: Leicester Square Station is a short walk and provides easier access due to escalators.
- Plan step-free routes: For wheelchair users or those with prams, use Holborn or Green Park stations for Piccadilly line connections with step-free access.
Quick Facts
- Name: Covent Garden Station
- Opened: 11 April 1907
- Located on: James Street (off Long Acre), London WC2E
- Lines served: Piccadilly line (London Underground)
- Adjacent stations: Leicester Square (west), Holborn (east)
- Accessibility: No step-free access; lift or staircase only
- Zone: Travelcard Zone 1
- Distance from Charing Cross: 0.4 miles (approx. 8–10 minutes on foot)
- Nearby landmarks: Covent Garden Piazza, London Transport Museum, Royal Opera House
- Fun fact: Covent Garden to Leicester Square is the shortest distance between two Tube stations
Covent Garden Station is 
on the Map of London Underground
Painting of Covent Garden Station, London (View image in full size)