Seven Dials

Seven Dials is a vibrant and eclectic area in London's West End, north-west of Covent Garden, designed by Thomas Neale in the early 1690s. With a sundial column in the centre, Seven Dials was created to adjoin six roads, based upon a six-pointed star, later increasing to seven streets to maximise the number of houses to be built. The aim was to attract the well-off and fashionables of society to live here, however this particular plan only lasted a relatively short time and the area slowly became one of London's renowned slum districts. Dickens once wrote about Seven Dials, "The stranger that finds himself in the Dials for the first time... at the entrance of Seven obscure passages, uncertain which to take, will see enough around him to keep his curiosity awake for no inconsiderable time...."

However times have changed dramatically. Thanks to different charity organisations the area is heaving with independent shops and small businesses, has superb shopping, is nearby to all the delights and theatres of the West End and includes the ever popular Neal Street and Neals Yard in its village style surroundings.

The seven roads converging at the sundial of Seven Dials are no longer there; well rather the roads have been joined and renamed. The now five intersecting streets are Earlham Street, where you'll find a great flower market, Monmouth Street, Mercer Street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Shorts Gardens. Covent Garden and Leicester Square tubes stations are the closest.

The alternative style of shopping is what attracts people to Seven Dials - from hip street wear to designer boutiques as well as being home to modern hotels and some very cool bars. Many of these shops, bars and restaurants have retained most of the original architecture and features of the 1690s.

Neals Yard has been attracting Astrologers since the 17th century as it is home of alternative medicine, hocus-pocus and magic, homeopathic stores and in more recent times, new age stores and body treatment centres such as the heavenly ´Walk-in Back Rub´ store - walk in, no appointment necessary, receive a neck shoulder or back rub, and walk out. But the highlight of Neals Yard, although a very small area, is the number of delicious vegetarian cafes. The Neal's Yard Dairy, actually located on Shorts Gardens, is a cheese lover's heaven with over 50 types of cheese to choose from and over 20 years experience in the industry. Delish!

Neal Street is for shoppers with a little bit of imagination. The quality and diversity of the stores on and around Neal Street is very impressive and if you're looking for something a little different, a little quirky, a little less mainstream then go no further then Neal Street. Take your time exploring, you'll thank yourself.

Shorts Gardens, accessible through a passage from Neals Yard, is a very small street but, like Neal Street, is full of fab shops and fun. You'll find the celebrity favourite, Mooks clothing store on Shorts Gardens as well as the fantastic Mad Records music store, and a lot more. The Thomas Neal's Centre is also located on Shorts Gardens and is where you will find of some of the best designer gear around.

Something else to note is the sundial column that was erected in the late 1980´s to replace the original dial of the Seven Dials intersection that was taken down in 1773. It actually keeps very good time, usually within 10 seconds of the actual time, providing the sun is out.