Seven Dials Covent Garden is a unique quarter of London whose star-shaped layout remains as constructed in the early 1690s. It was brought back to life largely through the dedication of the Seven Dials Trust, working in partnership with the local authorities and landowners for nearly forty years.

The Seven Dials Trust is objecting in the strongest possible terms to the redevelopment of the Saville Theatre. The 1931 Grade II listed theatre, most recently known as the Odeon Covent Garden, is of both architectural and historic significance, and Yoo Capital’s proposals threaten to disfigure this excellent example of Art Deco architecture and negatively impact the surrounding area.

Earlham Street had a thriving street market until the early twentieth century. Markets began in Seven Dials in the early nineteenth century and were famously documented in Dickens' Sketches by Boz (1836). As with many London street markets, they served a densely populated, low income area.

The Sundial Pillar was unveiled by HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands - in June 1989 as the finalé of the 1988/9 William & Mary Tercentenary and has become an iconic London landmark. It was the first project of its kind in London since Nelson’s Column in the 1840’s and took five years of meticulous planning by the Trust.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of  Lord Peter Brooke - Peter was one of our patrons and a great supporter of the Trust and our work over many years.

Trust chairman David Bieda recalls: “When he [Peter Brooke] retired as an MP I held a dinner for him in Dean Street [David's residence, a masterpiece of early Georgian architecture]. I remember asking Peter if I should invite Frank Dobson MP and he said ‘Don’t do it without Frank as we’ve worked behind the scenes for years’. One of the most civilised politicians of his generation, a great raconteur, immensely knowledgeable and a very good constituency MP. He also initiated the N. Ireland peace process.” 

Trustees send their best wishes to Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla on this historic occasion.

The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, 2023.

In the latter part of last year, Camden published draft proposals for works to Neal Street, Earlham Street (W) and Monmouth Street and invited responses from the public. This consultation ended on 16th December but the proposals can still be seen here. The Trust is concerned by several aspects of the proposals.

For several years now, the Trust has been working on updating its comprehensive study of the area, The Seven Dials Renaissance Study, first published in 1991. Designed to provide a national exemplar of how to care for inner city conservation areas, the study takes an holistic approach, providing a detailed framework for the total environment.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of our Founder Trustee and later Trust Patron Christina Smith OBE who passed away peacefully at home in Covent Garden on 11th March 2022. Christina was a proactive member of the Trust and our work over many years. Her presence and many words of wisdom will be missed by us all.