Covent Garden Market, London, Ontario, Guide du visiteur et quoi faire à proximité

Covent Garden Market is the public food market in downtown London, Ontario, where local vendors, fresh produce and ready-to-eat food share one indoor hall. It takes its name from the famous market in London, England, and it continues a market tradition in the centre of the city that reaches back to the 19th century. For visitors it is an easy, friendly place to eat, browse and get your bearings downtown.

The story behind it

London, Ontario was named after the English capital, and the early settlers carried the theme through the city. The river is the Thames, and there are streets called Oxford and Piccadilly. A central market called Covent Garden fits that pattern, borrowing its name from the London market that has been known for produce and trade for centuries.

Like many markets in Canadian cities, it grew up as the place where farmers from the surrounding countryside brought their goods to sell to townspeople. That role is still visible today, since the market continues to mix local growers and bakers with food stalls and small shops, and it remains a place where residents shop and meet.

What to look for

• The produce stalls offer seasonal fruit and vegetables, a good clue to what is growing in the farmland around London at the time of your visit.
• The baked goods, cheeses and prepared food counters show how many different food traditions are now part of the city.
• The name above the entrance is a small reminder of the English namesake, so look for how many other London, England names you spot on nearby street signs.
• The market sits at the edge of the downtown core, so notice how the surrounding streets change between old brick buildings and newer development.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 30 to 60 minutes if you want to wander the stalls and stop for a bite, and longer if you plan to sit down for a meal.
• Go in the morning for the best choice of fresh produce and a calmer atmosphere. Check current opening hours and market days before you set out.
• You can walk in and look around without paying, and you only spend money if you buy something.
• The market is a short walk from the main downtown streets, so it combines well with a stroll through the centre of the city.

See it on a quest

The market is a natural stop on Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in London, Ontario. You reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through downtown, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. It suits anyone who likes a mystery theme with their sightseeing. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

If you would rather have a lighter theme, try The Oz Escape in London. It is also a self-guided walk through the area, with the app telling you about each place as you get there and a puzzle to solve in front of it. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.