- Tube stations: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road
- Location: north of Covent Garden, based around the Seven Dials monument
- Borough: Westminster (www.westminster.gov.uk), Camden (www.camden.gov.uk)
- Postcode: WC2
Landmarks: The sundial pillar is a major landmark of the area and a meeting place for everyone in the vicinity – it’s often crowded during lunch hour and after work.
Known for: Filled with cute little shops and restaurants, Seven Dials is a good alternative for shopping and dining when Covent Garden is too packed with tourists.
Who’s there? The area is home to the fashion-conscious and the artistic. There’s also an abundance of holistic medicine shops, so expect lots of hippies.
Making history: Seven Dials was developed in the 1690’s by Thomas Neale, who wanted to attract wealthy residents and shop owners. Ironically, the area soon deteriorated into one of London’s most notorious slums, with a pub on every corner that faced the sundial. The immigration of Irish workers into the area led to gradual redevelopment, and now it enjoys a reputation as one of London’s trendier districts. Thomas Neale would be pleased.
Pub quiz facts: The Seven Dials monument only has six faces – it was built during them time when Thomas Neale’s development plan only had six streets.
Famous faces: Be on the lookout for loads of actors – the area is usually packed with them due to its proximity to the West End.
When it’s hot: Shop, shop, shop – there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for vintage or the trend of the moment. The streets and tiny alleyways throughout the area are known for their funky boutiques and unique stores. Most are pricey, though, so it might be best to wait until after payday.
When it’s not:
Celeb-spotting at the Ivy restaurant (make sure you book in advance - lunch is your best bet) followed by a show at one of the theatres in the area like the Donmar Warehouse (www.donmar-warehouse.com) or the Ambassador Theatre (www.theambassadors.com).