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Free Mayfair Walk Another Album from heritagewalks.london
From Hyde Park Corner, with its striking war memorials, this FREE walk takes you to the Constitution/Wellington Arch, celebrating the Duke of Wellington’s famous achievements, through the ‘village’ streets of Shepherd Market, where the original May Fair was held, to Green Park and Piccadilly. Mayfair was the site of an annual May Fair and Spring cattle market first held in the late 1600’s. They took place in Trebeck Street, which runs into what is now Shepherd Market. The fair and market were curtailed in the reign of George III because of the notorious behaviour of the ‘lazy rascals’ and ‘sluttish strumpets’ who thronged there. The valuable real estate that became available was developed between 1700 and 1750 by landlords such as the Dukes of Westminster (the Grosvenor family) and, by the 1800s, it was established as London’s most fashionable area for politicians, diplomats and the very rich, with shops, restaurants, coffee houses, gaming clubs and hotels to cater for their every need. In the early twentieth century it became the haunt of the young and idle rich and the setting for many of P.G Wodehouse’s novels featuring Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves. Today, Mayfair retains an air of exclusivity with a high proportion of 5-star hotels and fashionable restaurants and shops selling luxury goods to residents and visitors from all over the world. The pictures in this album were created from our own unique collection of London photographs. FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 2
FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 3Apsley House Also known as Number 1 London, this was the home of the first Duke of Wellington. It houses a unique collection of artefacts connected with his life and career. English heritage websiteConstitution Arch A Grade I-listed triumphal arch by Decimus Burton. Open to the paying public with three floors of exhibits on the history of the arch, an exhibition - ‘Waterloo 1815: The Battle for Peace’.The Constitution During the 1920s this area became a rallying point for those challenging the unwritten ‘Constitution’ of the United Kingdom.
FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 4Hyde Park Corner This is a view from 1809 showing the entrance to Hyde Park - a popular place for riding and meeting friends.The Quadriga A bronze quadriga (an ancient four-horse chariot) by Adrian Jones has surmounted the Arch since 1912. This replaced an earlier colossal statue of the Duke of Wellington.Royal Artillery Monument Features a giant sculpture of a BL 9.2-inch Mk I howitzer with stone reliefs of scenes from the conflict. Four bronze figures of artillerymen are positioned around the outside.
Australian War Memorial This striking memorial was dedicated in 2003 to the 102,000 Australian dead of the First and Second World Wars. The New Zealand memorial is close by.This group statue celebrates the bravery and selfless dedication of the bomber crews from all over the British Empire and Commonwealth who gave their lives in World War 2.Pitt’s Head Mews Number 21 survived the Blitz of 1940 and is grade 2 listed. It was probably built around 1905 as stabling, coach houses and accommodation above. Bomber Command memorial FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 5
6 Derby Street A fine example of a modest Georgian house with an interesting feature above the doorway.Site of oldest Mayfair house On this site, until destroyed by bombing during the winter of 1940, stood an archway and Mayfair's oldest house - a shepherd’s cottage - dating from1618.Shepherd’s Tavern A handsome traditional pub built in 1735 as part of a major redevelopment of the neighbourhood. It is notable for the plaque commemorating Wendy Richard the actress.FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 6
Shepherd Market The character of the area has changed - note the many shops and cafes with an eastern flavour.Shepherd Market in the 1920s This shows how the Market looked at the time when it was a seedy centre for the sex trade. Ye Grapes pub is still trading. A Mayfair Street This is a view of Clarges Street before major redevelopment destroyed its Dickensian character.FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 7
This free walk… …is available as a download for your smart device Use this link…Heyward Hill The famous bookshop where Nancy Mitford worked. ‘Trumpers’ - the gentleman’s hairdresser - is next door.Shepherd Market This old view from before World War 1 shows the passage exit onto Curzon Street.INTERIOR DESIGN quisque eget aliquam p. 8FREE MAYFAIR WALK ALBUM p. 8
www.heritagewalks.london ms@heritagewalks.london Harrow on the Hill LondonIf you would like copies of any of these images please click here…with the image name and we’ll see what we can do.