Covent Garden with its huge Piazza, Opera House and markets is one of London’s most popular attractions. Less known but in its way just as interesting is the area of Seven Dials which was first built in the early 1690’s.
seven Dials is a circular area at the intersection of a number of streets, known as a ‘circus’, and a tall stone column was built at its centre with six tiny blue sundials at its top. The story goes that the seventh sundial is the column itself, casting its shadow on the ground below as the day goes by.
In 1773 a rumour that there was treasure buried at its base caused it to be pulled down and it was not rebuilt until 1989. There are seats around its base - a good place to sit and watch the busy comings and goings.
The following streets are worth exploring:
London Covent Garden - Monmouth Street
Post Mistress is a cutting edge style women’s shoe store and there’s an old pub, The Two Brewers, which was built in 1833.
Screen Face is an Aladdin’s cave full of every kind of makeup you could imagine. Anyone can shop here and learn the secrets of the stars.
Dress Circle at No.57-59 sells everything from the world of musical theatre. In the basement is a treasure house of music from the shows, plus biographies of the stars, posters, t-shirts etc.They have CDs and DVDs from Flora Dora the very first musical to be put on CD.
London Covent Garden - Mercer Street
A rather quiet street but worth a stroll to see the small row of perfectly preserved 18th century houses.
On the corner where Mercier meets Earlham Street sits the Cambridge Theatre where the hit musical Chicago has been playing for the past two years. Previously it was at the Adelphi Thearte in London’s West End for 8 years.
London Covent Garden - Earlham Street
An excellent ‘fringe’ theatre, The Dolmar, also is on this street. It is owned by film director Sam Mendes who is married to Kate Winslet.
The Ironmonger’s Shop (Hardware Store) at No.14 has been here since 1835. Take a walk inside, it smells just like the traditional shops of your childhood - depending on how old you are!
London Covent Garden - Shorts Gardens
This street is home to one of London’s best cheese shops, The Neal’s Yard Dairy, which sells mainly British and Irish cheeses. You will be surprised at the number of varieties on offer, some of which have been bought from the same farms for three to four generations. A large proportion of their cheese is exported to the United States.
London Covent Garden - Neal's Yard
Don’t miss Neal’s Yard, a colourful little courtyard festooned with flowers and crammed with cafes and coffee shops, also a good place to eat vegan and vegetarian food.
For something different at the end of your day, have dinner at Souk Medina . You can’t miss its tented entrance at No.1A and when you enter you will enjoy a true ‘Arabian Nights’ experience. The cuisine is North African, the menu is extensive and reasonably priced.
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