Mayfair

Mayfair is an area in Central London that borders on the Hyde Park in its western part. It is under the administration of the City of Westminster. Apart from the Hyde Park in the west, the rough boundaries of Mayfair include the Piccadilly and Green Park to the south, Regent Street to the east, and the Oxford Street to the north. The place-name was derived from May Fair, a huge event that used to take place at the area where the Shepherd Market is today. It is well-known all over England and the world for its office buildings and expensive real estate.

Sights & Activities:

One of its notable parts is the Berkeley Square, where the surrounding houses and residential areas are highly prized and sought after. Within the open space located in the middle of the square is the statue of sculpture Alexander Munro. Berkeley Square also achieved notoriety as the location of an infamous haunted house that is now a retail outlet for antique books.

Strolling along the famous Bond Street may entice some visitors to go shopping, as several upscale shops are established in the area. However, visitors may just opt to window shop and have their picture taken at the ‘Allies’ statue which portrays Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt conversing with each other while sitting on a park bench. The numerous art galleries along the street provide another type of attraction.

Another good destination for shopping is Savile Row, known for its quality tailoring services. And just like in Bond Street, there are several art galleries lining the street.

However, the street in Mayfair that is popularly associated with art galleries is Cork Street, where several famous artists have already organized their exhibitions. It is also a popular destination of art lovers and collectors from all over the world.

Those with musical inclination or has interest in historic architecture should head out to the Handel House Museum along Brook Street. Handel occupied the house from 1723 to 1759 and composed several of his music there. The museum exhibits personal items and memorabilia of the composer, as well as hosts musical performances, recitals, and educational events.

Along Piccadilly is the Royal Academy of Arts, an institution that hosts numerous public art exhibitions the whole year through. Its Royal Academy summer exhibition, in particular, introduces the work of new artists and is a popular social event.

Apart from Berkeley Square, there are other extensive public spaces located in Mayfair. One is the Brown Hart Gardens on Duke Street. This public garden is located above the street’s electricity substation and plans have been put forward for its improvement. Mayfair’s most famous square, however, is the Grosvenor Square, where a public garden is located in its center. Its western side is where the American Embassy is located.

Dining Out:

For those who wish to experience fine dining, Mayfair is the best place to go. There are several high-end restaurants overlooking Hyde Park like Theo Randall on Hamilton Place and the China Tang at the Dorchester Hotel. Le Gavroche on Upper Brook Street also serves delicious, albeit pricey, meals. For those yearning for more affordable Chinese meals, there’s the Kai Mayfair on South Audley Street. Along Conduit Street is the famous Sketch, designated by the ‘Restaurant’ magazine as the 18th best restaurant in the world. Mayfair also has several restaurants serving Japanese cuisine, such as the Umu on Bruton Place, the Sakira Japanese Restaurant on Hanover Street, and the Haiku Restaurant on New Burlington Place.

There are also several bars and pubs that offer drinks and some light snacks to its patrons. The Bar Bollywood on Dover Street specializes in young Indian groups and those who wish to groove to Indian music. Other notable pubs are The Running Horse on Davies Street and the Samuel pepys on Clarges Street.