Earlham Street, London
Earlham Street is a distinctive and historically rich street located in the southern part of the London Borough of Camden, in the vibrant West End of London. Radiating in two directions from the iconic Seven Dials junction, this street splits into two branches—one heading west toward Tower Street and the other east toward Neal Street. It is a charming and walkable street, peppered with independent shops, performance venues, and cafés that make it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
Layout and Surrounding Streets
The unique geometry of Seven Dials gives Earlham Street its dual arms, which flank the junction in opposite directions. This layout allows the street to serve as a link between two important corridors in Covent Garden. The western branch runs toward Tower Street while the eastern branch gently slopes down to meet Neal Street, near Short's Gardens. Nearby parallel streets include Monmouth Street, Mercer Street, and Shelton Street.
Several alleyways and narrow lanes connect Earlham Street to surrounding pedestrian paths, further enriching the area's old-world charm and navigability.
Historical Background
Earlham Street, like the surrounding Seven Dials district, was laid out in the late 17th century as part of an ambitious urban planning project by Thomas Neale, MP. The district was constructed with a unique radial layout to maximise the number of rental frontages for commercial and residential purposes. Earlham Street has retained much of its historic layout and character through the centuries.
Origin of the Name
The street was originally called Great Earl Street and Little Earl Street, named after the Earls of Shaftesbury, prominent landowners in the area. The current name, Earlham Street, was adopted during the 20th century to unify the branches. It is pronounced as UR-ləm Street, with the International Phonetic Alphabet rendering as /ˈɜːrləm/.
Local Attractions and Sights
Although Earlham Street itself is relatively short, it is a cultural microcosm within Covent Garden. The most prominent attraction is the Donmar Warehouse, a world-renowned theatre located at the eastern end near Neal Street. Just steps away is Seven Dials Market, a bustling food hall featuring artisan vendors and street food from around the world.
Other notable sights within walking distance include:
- The Seven Dials Monument, marking the central radial point of the area.
- Covent Garden Piazza, a short walk southeast, with street performers, boutiques, and the Royal Opera House.
- The colourful Neal's Yard, a picturesque courtyard filled with cafés and wellness shops.
Real Estate Overview
Residential and mixed-use properties on Earlham Street are considered highly desirable due to their central location and historic appeal. As of June 2025, flats here typically range from 500 to 1,200 square feet (46 to 111 sq metres). Studio and one-bedroom flats start from £850,000, while larger two-bedroom properties can fetch upwards of £1.6 million.
Rental values are equally high, reflecting the street's popularity among professionals and creatives. Monthly rents for smaller flats range between £2,500 and £3,500, while larger residences can command £5,000 or more per month.
Compared to other parts of London, Earlham Street sits firmly in the upper pricing tier, although it offers value in terms of lifestyle, walkability, and cultural richness.
Transport and Accessibility
Earlham Street is well-served by public transport, making it extremely accessible. The closest London Underground Stations are:
- Covent Garden Station (Piccadilly Line) – about a 4-minute walk southeast.
- Leicester Square Station (Northern and Piccadilly Lines) – approximately 7 minutes away.
- Tottenham Court Road Station (Central, Northern, and Elizabeth Lines) – reachable within 10 minutes.
Bus stops can be found along Shaftesbury Avenue and Upper St Martin's Lane, offering convenient access to routes that traverse central and greater London. The area is also bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, and several Santander Cycle hire stations are located nearby.
Fun Facts
Earlham Street once housed the headquarters of the punk fashion icon Vivienne Westwood during the early 1980s. The legacy of alternative fashion and streetwear still lingers in the boutiques and pop-up stores along the street today. Additionally, scenes from several British films have been shot in and around Seven Dials and Earlham Street, giving it a touch of cinematic fame.
Quick Facts
- Location: Covent Garden, London Borough of Camden, West End of London
- Layout: Two arms radiating from Seven Dials towards Tower Street and Neal Street
- Historical Era: Late 17th century, part of Thomas Neale's urban plan
- Name Origin: Derived from the Earls of Shaftesbury; current name adopted in the 20th century
- Pronunciation: UR-ləm Street (/ˈɜːrləm/)
- Main Attractions: Donmar Warehouse, Seven Dials Market, Neal's Yard
- Property Prices (2025): £850,000–£1.6M (sales), £2,500–£5,000/month (rent)
- Flat Sizes: 500–1,200 sq ft (46–111 sq metres)
- Nearest Tube Stations: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road
- Bus Stops: Available on Shaftesbury Avenue and Upper St Martin's Lane
- Fun Fact: Once home to Vivienne Westwood's fashion HQ
References
- Seven Dials Official Website
- Rightmove – Earlham Street Property Listings
- Donmar Warehouse
- Google Maps – Earlham Street
Map of Earlham Street, London
Painting of Earlham Street
Page Details
This page was created on 17 June 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.Moving to London?
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