travel
SEVEN
DIALS Covent Garden’s hidden shopping village… Words : Jessica F ogarty
Seven Dials brings you seven streets of independent boutiques, premium brands, indulgent beauty and grooming salons, bustling bars, unique restaurants and luxury hotels. Centred on a towering monument, the Seven Dials village is just a five minute walk from Covent Garden London tube station. It’s an ideal destination for a winter weekend break or the perfect place to find some extra special Christmas gifts.
RELAX
Seven Dials Book Exchange – 9 Shorts Gardens Escape the world and disappear into a book at the Seven Dials Book Exchange. Relax in the vintage armchairs, hide away in the mini private reading room or take your book away on your adventures. To take part simply bring in a book you’ve finished reading and swap it for another, completely free. Whether you’re a fan of David Bailey or Jo Nesbo, classics or contemporary literature, you are sure to find one that takes your fancy. Their unmanned doors are left open seven days a week and you can also charge your mobile phone for free (in a secure locker) whilst you browse.
SOCIALISE
TIMBER YARD
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Timberyard – 7 Upper Marin’s Lane Timberyard is the ultra-cool coffee shop, awarded 'London's Best Cafe for Out-Of-Office Workers' at the Coffee Stop Awards 2014. They specialise in a variety of coffee, hot chocolates and teas – brewed for exactly three minutes (a timer accompanies the tea pot on your tray). The two-storey shop and workspace also offers a selection of grilled sandwiches, soups, salads and quiches as well as areas to work or browse on laptops and iPads. Although not advertised on the exterior, there is a cinema room and an art exhibition downstairs showing the work of London blogging artists.