Hidden Treasure: Seven Dials, Covent Garden

I must tell you about a hidden village in London that is the perfect location for a day of shopping and beauty treats. Having visited there just today, I simply have to spread the word. It's true that I've been to Covent Gardens on many occasions but I have to confess (somewhat embarrassingly) that I've never walked further than the plaza or the markets, until now.

Unbeknown to me, there's a fantastic area in Covent Garden brimming with fabulous boutique fashion and urban day spas; Seven Dials is just a 5 minute walk from the tube and once there, you're surrounded by a wealth of unique retailers; some niche, some vintage, as well as those instantly recognisable.

Just turn left onto Neals Gardens and you'll successfully avoid the crowds and discover a community of retailers and spas just waiting for you to pop in. Far more personal than the high street but yet housing all the key high street shops that I love, Seven Dials also plays host to boutiques and venues with a strong celebrity following.

Kiera Knightly adores the fashion and accessory pieces at Koh Samui, Kelly Brooke is known to visit the professional makeup artists at Rouge and Paris Hilton last stayed in London via the Covent Garden Hotel, situated in the heart of the village.

Covent Garden Hotel

Name dropping aside, there really is enough on offer to win you away from the tourist mania and sheer gridlock of Oxford Street. One look inside shops like Miss La La's Boudoir, Jelly Pong Pong and the vintage clothing specialists Mint, and you'll be saying 'where have you been all my life!'

Mint, Vintage Clothing Boutique

After some very satisfying window shopping, I booked into the urban day spa at Organic Pharmacy to have a pedicure and a facial. I left with my skin feeling so soft and a spring in my step, having decided that from now on Seven Dials will happily be my no. 1 shopping zone of choice.

Later I met with a friend to visit London Fashion Weekend's press evening and I beamed with excitement as I told her what a fabulous day I've had. She turned to me and said "Yes darling, I've been going there for years". Needless to say, I wasn't surprised, after all she is a well versed fashion buyer who knows about all things trendy first!

Seven Dials
Covent Garden, Londn W2
www.sevendials.co.uk