Walk into Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden and you’ll swear you stepped into a painting. One moment you’re on a quiet London street, the next you’re surrounded by walls painted in electric blues, sunshine yellows, and cherry reds - all dripping with hanging plants, hand-painted signs, and the occasional pigeon posing for its own shot. This isn’t a set for a movie. It’s real. And it’s one of the most photographed places in London - not because it’s famous, but because it’s impossible to ignore.
Why Neal’s Yard Still Stands Out in 2025
Most tourist spots in London get crowded, overpriced, and stripped of character. Neal’s Yard didn’t. It stayed messy, real, and alive. While nearby streets turned into chain coffee shops and souvenir stalls, this tiny courtyard held onto its soul. Opened in the 1970s as a market for organic food and natural products, it became a haven for artists, healers, and creatives. Today, it’s still home to independent shops selling herbal teas, vegan chocolates, and handmade candles - but its biggest draw? The colors.
There’s no official guidebook entry that says ‘take a photo here.’ But every Instagrammer knows. Every travel blogger knows. Even locals who’ve lived in London for decades come back just to snap a picture. Why? Because the light here changes every hour. Morning sun turns the yellow wall into molten gold. Late afternoon casts long shadows across the red bricks, making the green vines look like they’re moving. At night, the string lights and glowing shop signs turn it into a dreamy tunnel of color.
Where to Stand for the Best Shot
You don’t need a fancy camera. A phone works fine. But where you stand makes all the difference.
- The main entrance from Neal’s Yard Mews: This is the classic wide-angle shot. Step back as far as you can, tilt your phone up, and capture the full height of the buildings. The stacked colors - blue, yellow, red - look like a child’s crayon drawing come to life.
- The corner near The Organic Pharmacy: This spot has the most texture. The faded paint, peeling signs, and mossy bricks add depth. Perfect for close-ups of details - a hand-painted ‘Herbal Tea’ sign, a cracked tile, or a single red apple sitting on a windowsill.
- The alley between the two buildings: Walk down the narrow path between the shops. Turn around. You’ll see a tunnel of color stretching behind you. Shoot from hip level for a fun, immersive perspective. It’s the kind of photo that makes people ask, ‘Where is this?’
- The courtyard’s center: Look up. The overhead wires, hanging baskets, and laundry lines create natural leading lines. Shoot straight up to emphasize the verticality. It’s a rare urban space where you feel both enclosed and open at the same time.
Pro tip: Avoid midday sun. The light is too harsh. Early morning (before 10 a.m.) or just before sunset (after 4 p.m.) gives you soft, warm tones. Weekdays are quieter. Weekends? Expect crowds. But even then, the courtyard is small enough that you can wait 90 seconds for someone to move out of frame.
What Makes This Spot Different From Other Colorful Places
London has other colorful spots - like the Notting Hill houses or the Camden Market murals. But Neal’s Yard isn’t about a single mural or a painted wall. It’s about layering. The colors aren’t painted over each other once. They’ve been repainted, touched up, and added to over 50 years. Each shop has its own style. Some are bright and bold. Others are faded, almost vintage. The result? A living collage.
Compare it to a touristy mural. One person paints it. One day, it’s done. Neal’s Yard? It’s a conversation. The owner of the tea shop adds a new sign. The florist hangs more ivy. The bakery paints its door a different shade of green next spring. It evolves. That’s why no two photos taken a year apart look the same.
How to Shoot People Without Ruining the Vibe
People are part of Neal’s Yard. But you don’t want your photo to look like a tourist snapshot.
- Shoot from behind. Capture someone walking into the courtyard, their back to the camera, surrounded by color. It feels like a moment, not a pose.
- Focus on hands. A woman holding a paper bag from the chocolate shop. A man picking up a bundle of herbs. These small details tell a story without needing a face.
- Use shallow depth of field. Blur the background slightly. Let the colors melt into a soft wash of red and yellow while keeping the person sharp. It’s subtle. It’s classy.
- Don’t ask strangers to pose. It feels invasive. Wait for natural moments - someone laughing, pausing to read a sign, taking a sip of tea on a bench.
One of the most viral photos from Neal’s Yard in 2024 showed a little girl in a yellow raincoat, holding a banana, standing in front of the blue wall. No filter. No editing. Just pure joy. That’s the magic here. It doesn’t need help.
What to Do After Your Photo Session
Don’t just snap and leave. Neal’s Yard is meant to be experienced.
- Stop by Neal’s Yard Remedies for a free herbal tea sample. They’ve been here since the 80s. The staff know the history of every wall.
- Grab a vegan brownie from Neal’s Yard Bakery. It’s dense, sweet, and made with dates - no sugar added. Worth the line.
- Visit The Organic Pharmacy. The shelves are lined with jars of oils, tinctures, and soaps. The scent alone is worth the visit.
- Look up. Many of the signs are hand-painted. Take a moment to read them. One says, ‘Love is the only thing that grows when you give it away.’ Another: ‘No chemicals, no lies.’
This isn’t just a photo spot. It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be polished. It can be messy, imperfect, and still unforgettable.
When to Visit and How to Get There
Neal’s Yard is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The best days to go? Tuesday to Thursday. Fewer tour groups. More quiet corners. The closest Tube station is Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line). Walk out of the station, turn left on Long Acre, then take the first right onto Neal’s Yard Mews. You’ll see the archway. It’s unmarked. No signs. That’s the point.
There’s no entrance fee. No ticket. No queue. Just a narrow alley and a world of color waiting for you.
Is Neal’s Yard really a hidden gem?
Yes - but not in the way most people think. It’s not hidden because it’s secret. It’s hidden because it’s easy to walk past. You have to turn down a narrow alley between two bigger streets. Most tourists stick to Covent Garden’s main drag. Those who wander off the beaten path find it. That’s what makes it feel like yours, even when it’s crowded.
Can I take photos inside the shops?
You can photograph the storefronts and the courtyard - that’s what everyone does. But don’t go inside and start snapping photos of shelves or people shopping unless you ask. Most shops are small and busy. A quick photo of the outside is fine. A full photoshoot inside? That’s rude. If you want to shoot inside, ask politely. Some owners will say yes - especially if you’re buying something.
Is Neal’s Yard worth visiting in winter?
Absolutely. The colors pop even more against gray London skies. The courtyard is quieter. The lights glow brighter. And if it’s snowing? You’ll have the place almost to yourself. The plants may be bare, but the paint stays vibrant. Winter is actually the best time for moody, cinematic shots.
Are there restrooms or cafes nearby?
There are no public restrooms in the courtyard itself. The closest ones are in the Covent Garden Market building, a two-minute walk away. As for cafes, you’ve got two great options right inside: the bakery and the tea shop. Both serve coffee, tea, and light snacks. No need to go far.
What’s the best time of year to photograph Neal’s Yard?
Spring and autumn are ideal. In spring, the plants come back to life - vines grow, flowers bloom, and the colors feel fresh. In autumn, the leaves turn gold and red, adding warmth to the scene. Summer is busy. Winter is quiet and dramatic. Choose based on the mood you want. For pure color? Go in May. For moody contrast? Go in November.