Saturday, September 24, 2011

Seven Dials


Not far from St. Martin's Lane which I showed you in my last blog, is the village of Seven Dials. I really just explored it for the first time a couple of weeks ago and found it fascinating.



First designed by Thomas Neale in the 17th century, and located near Covent Garden, the Seven Dials area is star-shaped, spreading out in 7 directions from the central point where a sundial pillar is erected.



The home of many types of food from around the world, including a few pubs of course, the area is especially known for its eclectic mix of shopping. It's fun to stroll the streets and alleys, some of them cobbled, to see what you discover.



One shop was selling anything you would need should you have a movie or TV debut--or if you wanted a new look for Halloween.



One of my favorite finds was the Grosvenor Prints shop which boasts the largest selection in London of prints from the 17th-20th century. We spent a lot of time there, and could plan a whole afternoon just at this shop on our next visit. Good place for Christmas shopping, and they have a catalogue selection  online. Pulling ourselves away, we also stumbled upon all sorts of shops, including  several vintage boutiques, jewelry shops, clothing boutiques,



and specialty shops like this one, which carry everything you need for your boxing passion--even a place to get in a little practice on a punching bag.



Down a little alley off of Monmouth Street is Neal's Yard



where you can stop in for some local



and regional cheese from London's "foremost cheese seller."



Neal's Yard courtyard is the home to several restaurants,



new age shops and homeopathic remedy stores.



The Little Shop of Funkiness is there, but 



they don't hold a corner on the market of funkiness



in this colorful and playful area.



For grooming needs, you can stop in at Hair by Fairy, 



or rush right over to Murdock's, the Times "recommended barber shop" where gentleman can find their own spa like treatments.



Our visit took place during National Cupcake Week, so a visit to Candy Cakes



seemed appropriate as the day would down. Look at that selection of cupcakes



and iced muffins.



All in all, a day full of treats and surprises which I can heartily recommend to you as a little excursion when you're in the area.

And if London is not in your immediate travel plans, perhaps you would like to pick up a copy of Agatha Christie's book, The Seven Dials Mystery, printed in 1929. I hope to find a copy myself for one of those long trans-Atlantic flights in my very near future!

17 comments:

  1. I am sitting here with my husband and I am telling him, "WE NEED TO GO TO LONDON!" Dearest, this is magical, fascinating and appealing in every way. I would have never imagined such a colorful corner in London! THANK YOU for your visit and sweet words. It was an enchanting time indeed to connect with Koralee. She is a super human being....be well, Anita

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  2. I just love the look on the young man's face in front of the very pink "Little Shop of Funkiness". I bet his mom, wife, or girlfriend is inside and he is not so patiently waiting for her to come out.

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  3. That is one of my fave areas, Debi! Thanks for sharing - I love it! xxoo :)

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  4. I love this colorful, beautiful post, Debi!! It would be so much fun to see in person! I live vicariously through you...as you know. Right now my mouth is watering too, lol!

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  5. Another fantastic tour, Debi! I love that area and used to frequent Neal's Yard before it was so trendy. But it looks like even more fun, now. I must admit I didn't make the connection to the Seven Dials mystery as I haven't read that one. But Agatha Christie is perfect for the plane. :)

    – g

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  6. I do love that cheese shop. The little shop of funkiness seems interesting.. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Fascinating place for shoppinf for pleaseure! I like the chceese shop and I anvy it much as in my area there is no single cheeses shop:( and of course, I like the shot with very colorful cupcakes:)

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  8. It's funny I should see this! We will have one full day in London on a stopover from Houston to Dublin. I've been trying to decide the best way to spend the day. Perhaps going to 7 Dials would be fun?! We do have hop on hop off bus tickets because we only have one day. Do you happen to know which train would get us to this location? Would it best to grab a taxi from central London? My email is rileymadel@yahoo.com

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  9. So enjoyed this post. What a neat place to spend time. Would love to see this but your photo's were so great I feel like I was there with you.
    Except of course for my taste of those yummy looking cupcakes. lol
    Now I am hungry and I know there is nothing like that in the ole farm house kitchen.
    Have a wonderful week.
    Love
    Maggie

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  10. Oh how I wish I had known about this the day I was in London. Looks even better than Harrods!

    A reason to come back! We are looking into our daughter possibly going to London on a mission trip during the Olympics.

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  11. The pictures in this post really wowed me. Love all the colors! Of course, your story always perfectly matches the pictures too, friend. My Bucket List tends to grow after reading your blog!

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  12. Muffins with icing?? That sounds dangerous! I love how colorful these shops are; it seems like something out of fiction.

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  13. Dearest! Let me see if my comment will go through; I just lost a comment on another BLOG!! Anita

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  14. OK! IT TOOK!

    WOW, Blogger is really having some issues. Thank you for coming to visit...OK then it wasn't me that pushed a wrong button on Friday night! I thought my magic fingers accidentally deleted my post but now I see that others are experiencing the same thing! OH my dear, as long as we all hold each other in our hearts, we all know that we want to connect....I was lucky to get the quickie post I have up!

    Now it is time to settle into the evening to prepare for yet another week of madness at school, so I bid you a wonderful and restful night. Anita

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  15. Debi! I just wanna kick myself because when I saw this post I realized that when we visited London back in 2009 we were oh-so-near this colorful and cheery spot but because it began to pour, and my family was a bit grumpy and hungry, we stopped our exploring and never made it back to the area again....ah, but at least I got to see it through your thoughtful guidance...as ever thank you!

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  16. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, I hope, I can visit that corner in the Future...thank you very much for the pictures!!!
    best regards
    www.frauke-klinkforth.de

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