London area of Seven Dials guide
What to do and where to stay in London's Seven Dials neighbourhood
The Seven Dials refers to the layout of the cobbled streets in this scenic part of Covent Garden which includes Monmouth Street, Earlham Street and Mercer Street. The seven streets radiate out from the central sundial - which can still be seen today but is a replica of the original. Looking closely you'll see the dial only has only six faces; this is due to an earlier urban planning drawn up by Thomas Neale in the 17th century who devised the characteristic seven dials street layout to maximise the number of houses that could be built on the site - so maximising his profit. His aim was to create an affluent, upper class area similar to Covent Garden Piazza. He didn't exactly succeed. By the 1700s it was home to shops selling second and third hand goods, Charles Dickens Junior noted the shops stocking "every rarity of pigeon, fowl and rabbit, together with rare Birds such as hawks, owls and parrots, love birds and other species native and foreign". Today, Neale would be proud of the fashionable shops, cafes, theatres and the fashionable crowd they attract. The area has a distinctive community spirit thanks to the promotion of independent stores alongside more mainstream names. This is close to a village as you'll get this deep into central London.
See our recommended nearby Seven Dials Hotels, Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.
Seven Dials Hotels
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
15 Montague Street, WC1B
Overlooking the gardens of Montague Garden Square, this sedate hotel has a peaceful feel even though the British Museum is right next door and Covent Garden's ... More
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
252 High Holborn, WC1V
Located in High Holborn, Rosewood London is the most luxurious hotel in the area and is nearby to the capital's main business district and a number ... More
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel
Whitehall Place, SW1A
With 294 bedrooms, multi-level penthouse suites and terraces offering spectacular views of the River Thames, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall - the £300 million restoration of the ... More
Seven Dials Entertainment
London > Entertainment > Theatres
West Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Designed as a companion theatre to the New Ambassador’s, which stands next to it, separated only by the narrow Tower Court, St Martin’s was completed in ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Housed in an impressive red-brick industrial building - at various times a brewery, a banana warehouse and a film studio - this tiny repertory theatre is ... More
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
135 Shaftesbury Avenue, Seven Dials, London WC2H
... More
Seven Dials Sights and Attractions
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
135 Flitcroft Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Elms Lesters Painting Rooms are housed in an extraordinary space, purpose built as a painting studio in 1904. Since 1984 the gallery has been specialising in ... More
London > Attractions > Other Attractions
Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church, 5 Saint Martin's Place, Seven Dials, London WC2H
... More
London > Attractions > Other Attractions
56 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
... More
Seven Dials Shopping
London > Shopping > Florists
17 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Shrouded deep within the meandering warren of streets that criss-cross Covent Garden, Wild Bunch adds a welcome burst of colour to London's grey urban terrain. With ... More
London > Shopping > Shoes
9 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Adidas's flagship Originals store is just a few seconds stroll from the Seven Dials in Covent Garden(and just around the corner from LondonTown.com towers!) Gleaming and ... More
London > Shopping > Street or Area
Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
The 'Seven Dials' refers to the layout of the cobbled streets in this scenic part of Covent Garden which includes Monmouth Street, Earlham Street and Mercer ... More
Seven Dials Restaurants
London > Restaurants > Brasseries
32 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Brasseries ... More
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
30 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Nero is probably the best of the Capital’s coffee shop chains. Offers a wide range of authentic Italian coffee in a pleasant relaxed environment. Snacks include ... More
London > Restaurants > International restaurants
32-34 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Fans of adventurous cooking and wacky fusion food will flock to Kopapa, the new venture from feted New Zealander Peter Gordon - the talent behind Marylebone's ... More
Seven Dials Pubs
London > Nightlife > Pubs
29 Greek Street, Seven Dials, London W1D
Claiming to be 'the West End's Best Known Pub', Norman's Coach & Horses certainly has more than its fair share of unique features. Firstly there's the ... More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
33 Rose Street, Seven Dials, London WC2E
One of the oldest pubs in London, the Lamb & Flag was once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here. ... More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
58 St Martin's Lane, Seven Dials, London WC2N
Themed around explorer Phileas Fogg, this traditional Victorian tavern in the heart of Covent Garden's ... More
Seven Dials Nightlife
London > Nightlife > Bars
35 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Covent Garden "style" bar serving cocktails and a chilled out, trendy vibe. Considered to be one of London’s original “style” or “concept” bars, despite being on the ... More
Seven Dials Leisure
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
25 Shelton Street, 40 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Let the Thai Square Spa transport you to the shores of Asia with their traditional Thai spa treatment rooms, smack bang in the centre of Covent ... More
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
21 Stacey Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
In the shadow of both Centrepoint and St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, hidden from most tourists and residents alike, lies this beautiful West End garden. Originally a car ... More
Seven Dials Education
London > Education > Business Faculties
4 Ching Court, Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Management and public speaking training.... More
Seven Dials Meeting Venues
London > Business > Venue Hire
20 Mercer Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Six spacious, HD-ready meeting rooms that can host up to 50 guests in the theatre to private dinners for up to 32 guests. Ground floor meeting ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
10 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, Seven Dials, London WC2H
In the beating heart of London's theatreland this attractive town house hotel is a hidden gem. A wood-panelled living room and intimate library give it a ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H
Can accomodate up to 1360 people.... More
London Hotels
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