Seven Dials, WC2H
Covent Garden station
Credit: Chris Ross
Seven Dials was built on the site of the Cock-and-Pie Fields, named for a nearby inn.

Thomas Neale undertook the task of making a great junction, and he erected a pillar with seven dials, one for each of the streets at the junction.

The estate formally belonged to the Worshipful Company of Mercers which allowed building licences on what was open farmland to maximise their income. The original plan saw six roads converging, although this was later increased to seven. This layout was chosen to produce triangular plots, in order to maximise the frontage of houses to be built on the site - rentals were charged per foot of frontage.

Neale hoped that Seven Dials would be popular with wealthy residents. This was not to be and by the 19th century, Seven Dials was among the most notorious slums in London, as part of the slum of St Giles.

In 1733 the pillar was taken down as there was believed to be a fortune lodged at the base, but no money was found. The pillar was taken to Weybridge, Surrey but recently restored to its original location.

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