By Carmel Waller

A walk through Mayfair

The world renowned location of Mayfair, London, is known for its glamorous boutiques, spectacular hotels and chic restaurants. There’s a reason it is the most expensive street on the Monopoly board! Mayfair is synonymous with affluence and luxury.  Mayfair is an area of Central London, within the borough of the City of Westminster. It is located in the West End, neatly bordered by Hyde Park to the west, Oxford Street to the north, Piccadilly and Green Park to the south and Regent Street to the east. 

Similar to the history of South Kensington and other central parts of London at the time, Mayfair was once a village surrounded by farmlands. In particular, the introduction of the Landlord the Grosvenor family in the 17^th-18^th century, they were instrumental in transforming Mayfair into the modern beauty it is today, starting at Grosvenor Square. Mayfair’s meaning is that of a May fair, a two week fair which was granted by Kings James II during the month of May….a bit of trivia for you.

In terms of architecture you can’t help but wonder at the glorious buildings, red brick mansion blocks and the Georgian architecture that dominates the area, this period saw the expansion of London into what was then the undeveloped west. Development focussed on the construction of terrace housing and garden squares, Grosvenor Square being a prime example of this. Architectural style and flare take precedence in Mayfair.

Typical of London and the villages within it, you are never far from beautiful green spaces and Mayfair is no exception. Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James’s Park surround the beautiful area and right in the centre of it all are the pristine lawns of Grosvenor Square. In recent years crowds have flocked to these areas for Queen Elizabeth the II Platinum jubilee, for the very sad occasion for her recent state funeral and for King Charles III coronation in 2023.

What to do in Mayfair

• Visit the Royal Academy of Arts to see established and new artists
• Stroll down any of the affluent streets, Bond Street, Regent Street, Savile Row…for a beautifully tailored suit!
• There are premium hotels galore, Claridge’s on Brook Street comes to mind as the most famous, if you’re looking for a hotel as premium but more discreet, the Beaumont hotel on Balderton Street is wonderful. As well as the very well known Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane.
• As Mayfair is in London’s Westend, you are not short of theatres to frequent, London Palladium, Piccadilly theatre, Lyric theatre, the list goes on
• If you’re thinking of restaurants, there are so many, the famous Scott’s restaurant on Mount Street, known for it’s premium seafood menu. Claridge’s hotel serves up a modern twist on British cuisine, then there’s Nobu, the world renowned sushi restaurant and so many more.
• If you are looking for a spot of afternoon tea, the Ritz hotel is the perfect place, situated right on Piccadilly.

How to get around

• The well heeled would probably take one of London’s Black cabs, who know the area inside out, as well as most of London! As they all have to pass the ‘Knowledge’
• Otherwise there is Green Park tube station, at the bottom end of Piccadilly, it serves the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Victoria Lines.
• At the top end of Piccadilly, you have the Piccadilly tube station which service the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines
• Across the North side of Mayfair, Marble Arch, Oxford Street and Bond Street tube stations serve between them the Elizabeth line, Central line, Bakerloo line, Victoria and Jubilee lines.

Mayfair events

• Bond Street, South Molton Street and Mount Street switch on their Christmas lights in the run-up to Christmas.
• Pick out knickknacks and trinkets from the annual Mount Street Christmas Market.
• Find the word on the street… Mayfair & St James’s Literary Festival brings exciting events for bookworms and linguists each October.
• Take a walk at the seaside… well, a man-made beach, during The May Fair each summer.

The three-week long Summer in the Square includes free fitness classes, funky gigs and family fun