This walk can take all day if the shops and cafés along the way prove irresistible.

Leave Leicester Square underground station via a Charing Cross Road exit and walk a short way in the direction of Trafalgar Square. Turn left into Cecil Court.

While away some time here in one of London's most popular book-browsing alleyways, full of fascinating and individual small shops.

At the top, cross St Martin's Lane and enter the tiny gas-lit alleyway marked Goodwin's Court (between Espresso and Cheque Point).

This is the oldest residential part of Covent Garden, with beautiful 18th-century bow-windowed houses.

Turn left into Bedfordbury, then almost immediately right into New Row, a charming pedestrianised street with many excellent small shops. Continue up New Row to King Street, pausing to admire No 43, built in 1717, which is one of the oldest and most attractive buildings in the area.

Almost opposite here is one of the entrances to St Paul's Church.

Keep the Piazza and central market area on your right and turn left into James Street, past Covent Garden underground station. Cross Long Acre into Neal Street, another of Covent Garden's characterful pedestrianised shopping streets. Turn left into Short's Gardens, then, by the splendid water clock on top of the Neal's Yard Wholefood Warehouse, turn right into Neal's Yard.

This delightfully pretty courtyard festooned with window boxes is a wholefood haven, full of vegetarian cafés and restaurants.

Retrace your steps back to Covent Garden underground station.