Mayfair, set roughly between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane, is at the very heart of London.This area was owned by the Grosvenor family since 1677 and takes its name from the 15-day May Fair, once held here every year. The May Fair moved from Haymarket to the site of today’s Curzon Street and Shepherd Market in 1686 but a century later it was suppressed by the local nobility for lowering the tone of the neighbourhood…. but Mayfair’s expansive and handsome architecture has always attracted the very wealthy.
For nearly 300 years the most influential people in the land have enjoyed its elegant squares, broad Georgian thorough fares and beautiful parks. Mayfair also boasts the capital’s most exclusive shops, hotels, restaurants and clubs.
Mayfair is dominated in the north by three large squares: Grosvenor, Hanover and Berkeley.
The vast Grosvenor Square, which houses the US Embassy, has a statue of Franklin D Roosevelt at its centre. Mayfair’s commercial district lies to the east. Lots of other embassies are around this area.
This area includes Savile Row, world-famous for its tailoring, and New and Old Bond Streets, renowned for their jewellery, antiques and clothing.
New Bond Street is also known for its auction houses; the most famous being Phillips and Sotheby’s. Take tea in the Dorchester after strolling up Park Lane, one of the most car-busy roads in London! McLaren have a McLaren F1 car on display in Park Lane, one of the most expensive cars you can buy at around £500,000.
