For centuries, culture vultures have swooped in on Covent Garden.

They obviously relished the area’s eclectic, ever-changing mix of opera, ballet, theatre and drama, from highbrow to mainstream, fringe and beyond; all tastes are catered for and all emotions are stirred. No other urban quarter in the world is home to two esteemed artistic companies – The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet – in addition to more than twenty thriving theatres in the vicinity.