Seven Dials a Unique London Hidden Gem
It was by mere accident I found this unique premium London village called Seven Dials, located in chic and contemporary Covent Garden packed with boutique, independent high-end, mainstream British brands, hearty food with Michelin-starred restaurants, modern meets history cobbled streets and courtyards. I immediately planned my overnight visit to Seven Dials so I could discover further and booked to stay in the plush boutique Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel. I was thrilled to learn that Marcus Wareing chose the area for his newest restaurant Tredwells winner of AA’s London Restaurant of the year- a reservation was made.
History of Seven Dials
Seven Dials has been around since 1960s the MP Thomas Neale devised the idea “Seven Dials” in order to maximise the number of houses that could be built to make profit. Neale wanted Seven Dials to attract affluent residents careful naming the seven streets accordingly.
The Sundial Pillar is the centrepiece which connects Seven Dials originally designed and constructed in 1693-4, it still stands today marking what Neale’s vision was to establish Seven Dials as the most fashionable address in London, he would be delighted to see the amazing transformation of what we know and love “Seven Dials”.
Seven Dials
Where do I start it! If you are anything like me I need a hint of adventure…unpredictability. Seven Dials has it all something for all taste buds; whether you fancy breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. The fashionable or first time to London, if you want to experience quality household British brands and get away from the bustle of central London, Seven Dials is a premium choice.
Seven Dials is home to 95 shops, I was surprised considering how compact and distinctly village it felt. There is a shop to suit everyone whether you are looking for a high-profile brand, quintessentially British, boutique style, beauty, grooming salons or a unique concept store alongside luxury hotels and award winning shows that will keep you coming back for more. Shopping paradise; Club Monaco, Cath Kidston, Diesel, Sonos, Knomo, Qllie Quinn, Coco de Mer, Miller Harris and Fred Perry just a tip of the iceberg of what Seven Dials has on offer. Beauty and Grooming at Caudalie, Kiehls, Nail Club, Neal’s Yard and Murdock London.
The great thing about Seven Dials is how much variety is on offer for both shopping and the ultimate dining experience. Caffeine high Monmouth Coffee, experience Paris and step into macaroon heaven at Pierre Hermes Paris. Chick’n’ Sours is perfect for a feast, they serve giant K-Pop burgers my mouth watered at the mere thought. Seven Dials is home to one of London’s finest steak restaurants Hawksmoor. Monmouth Kitchen, named after one of the streets in Seven Dials is known for its hip high-end Peruvian and Italian dishes, a perfect place for a pre-theatre dinner, considering there are theatres in this hidden hideaway, this would be a great choice.
Calling all my foodies, to literally be taken to food heaven, check out Neal’s Yard. The petite courtyard all-snug between Monmouth Street and Shorts Gardens is the place where you can lose yourself, savouring what’s on the menus from morning through to night. I haven’t forgotten my chocoholics or if you are stuck on what to get a friend or loved one for a gift, check out Rococo Chocolates their packaging is too good to waste so beautiful it’s a shame you have to eat them.
Seven Dials experience
Stepping out of an Uber on a fine Saturday afternoon was the perfect backdrop for my over night stay at Seven Dials. Booked into the elegant boutique Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel, I knew I was in for a treat. I had walked through Seven Dials before but to be honest this was the first time I really appreciated my surrounding. I stood right in front of the pillar and proceeded to count the roads off the pillar- just to check that they were indeed seven streets.
The Hotel
The Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street is a Landmark Deluxe hotel in Covent Garden Seven Dials Village. This is a chic retreat with beautifully designed rooms featuring the best in new technology. The hotel has a chilled and relaxed feel, perfect to escape with friends or your loved one in the heart of London or for business. The Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street is home to Monmouth Kitchen that offers a contemporary selection of Italian and Peruvian small plates complemented with the finest wines and their signature cocktails.
We were warmly greeted upon arrival they were expecting us! Guest liaison told us we were booked into a suite on the top floor- 7th floor amazing! The allocated room was simply stunning, when the door opened their was a long corridor, the first room to the right was the bathroom a good size with a double waterfall style shower, can’t wait to try that out! To the left was a walk in style closet, a women’s dream! At the end of the corridor was the main room with three sections; an office space as you enter the room, a huge bed with drapes that was decorated with roses and features so beautiful. The far end of the room was a sofa, table and flat screen television perfect for relaxing. Now the view was stunning, our room overlooked Seven Dials I could see the theatre and the famous London Eye. Ready to explore we headed out.
Exploring Seven Dials
There is so much to see and do in Seven Dials; cobbled streets give the area such an historic feel but yet due to the concept shops, a modernism. We walked up and down all the seven streets in Seven Dials and popped into the stores, which were of interest; makeup, perfume, ready to wear, electronics and jewellery always get me excited. First stop; Club Monaco those dresses, perfumer Miller Harris has always been a favourite of mine the fragrance ‘silent rose’ in particular, smells like heaven. Caudalie their rose water is so good for your skin, picked up a blusher in Benefit, it was hard to pull me away from the Sonos store I love music, Sonos is the wireless home sound system that fills as many rooms as you want with great sounding music and last stop was Coco de Mer luxury lingerie with a hit of naughty. We walked around for at least an hour in out of stores and window-shopping admiring the shop displays. It’s so intriguing as you walk down a small alleyway you discover yet another boutique or concept stores. All the walking worked up an appetite next stop Tredwells.
Dinner at Tredwells
A Marcus Wareing restaurant and winner of AA’s London Restaurant of the Year, Tredwells delivers the very best in British seasonal produce developed by Chef Patron, Chantelle Nicholson rooted in London, globally inspired, located in the heart of Covent Garden is a premium restaurant in Seven Dials. Two bar areas and set over three floors.
We were greeted by the host for the night and given recommendations for food and wine. Tredwells offer a nice selection of interesting cocktails and wines. We had worked up an appetite during the day exploring Seven Dials, so was eager to order.
We was served customary bread and butter and olives and whilst opening our palette decided on our food selection. We chose our starters; Season Corn Mousse, cornbread and pickled mushrooms this was light, crunchy and flavoursome. Chargrilled Prawns, labneh, mint and cumin they were succulent and seasoned perfectly. Mains; Gloucestershire lamb rack, chickpea, harissa, watercress and creme fraiche tender and tasty, Chargrilled Sea bass kupros dairy fettle, tomato and basil this was light but filling. The sides were truffle macaroni cheese so tasty, triple cooked chips with hollandaise mousse and Cornish new potatoes Parmesan aioli these were all exquisite. We shared our desserts Strawberries with mascarpone Thai basil herb and marinated Pineapple, Passion Fruit, coconut and Meringue our taste buds didn’t know what hit them all the right textures and flavours.
The conclusion
The Tredwells experience was as expected first class. Art Deco feel great atmosphere, attentive and knowledgeable staff and food cooked to perfection.
Seven Dials is a unique and premium experience, with so much to do and see. It’s the perfect place to discover new and exciting Independent shops, mainstream and home grown stores offering the best in Jewellery, perfume, beauty and fashion. Tantalise the taste buds from the many options available in Seven Dials to suite any visitors taste. Don’t delay; put a date in your diary to experience Seven Dials.
What’s on
This month Seven Dials celebrates a wealth of art, design and creativity with a host of activations from over 30 brands holding master classes, workshops, exclusive exhibitions offers and bespoke illustrations from brands such as; Tatty Devine, Tredwells, Superga, Fresh, Laura Lee Jewellery, Miller Harris, Rococo Chocolates, Skinny Dip’s, Nail Club, Brassiere Max and Nixon even more of a reason to go and experience Seven Dials signup to the website to take part in all these events, activities and offers. Christmas is upon us Seven Dials are doing a fabulous Christmas shopping event go to the website to find out more.
W: Seven Dials
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