Mayfair - London miniguides

Mayfair was named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place in Shepherd Market from 1686, until it was banned and moved to Fair Field in Bow because the well-to-do residents of the area felt the fair 'lowered the tone' of the neighbourhood.

Mayfair was traditionally bordered by Hyde Park to the west, Oxford Street to the north, Piccadilly to the south and Bond Street to the east, although the eastern boundary has been stretched in recent years to Regent Street.

Most of the area was first developed between the mid 17th Century and the mid 18th Century as a fashionable residential district by a number of landlords, the most important of them being the Dukes of Westminster, the Grosvenor family.

Mayfair has a high concentration of hedge fund companies, property businesses, as well as a number of embassy buildings, such as the U.S. embassy which occupies the majority of the west side of Grosvenor Square.

Mayfair is home to some of the world’s most exclusive shops, fashion houses and has London's largest concentration of luxury hotels and restaurants.

St. Mark’s Church, North Audley street

Transport

Tubes

Green Park

Jubilee Piccadilly Victoria line, Zone 1

Hyde Park Corner

Piccadilly line, Zone 1

Bond Street

Central Jubilee line, Zone 1

Oxford Circus

Bakerloo Central Victoria line, Zone 1

Piccadilly Circus

Bakerloo Piccadilly line, Zone 1

Train Stations

Victoria
Charing Cross
Marylebone
Paddington
Euston

Culture and things to do in Mayfair

Buckingham Palace

Close to the renowned site of Buckingham Palace, a designated tourist attraction, Mayfair is at the heart of London’s distinguished heritage.
www.royal.gov.uk

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of London’s finest landscapes and covers over 350 acres. There is something for everyone in Hyde Park; with over 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, horse rides and more, it is easy to forget you’re in the middle of London.
www.royalparks.gov.uk

Green Park

A peaceful park with mature trees and grasslands, bordered by Constitution Hill, Piccadilly and Queen’s Walk.
www.royalparks.gov.uk

Shepherd's Market

In contrast to its rowdy Seventeenth Century reputation, Shepherd Market is a convenient escape from the usual hustle and bustle of Central London. The mixture of lovely boutique shops, relaxing cafés and traditional pubs is a refreshing change from nearby Piccadilly or Oxford Street.
shepherdmarket.co.uk

Aspley House Museum

Home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, pride of place in Aspley House is a massive nude statue of the defeated opponent.  The opportunity to see one of the finest art collections in London, with paintings by Velazquez and Rubens, is one not to be missed
www.english-heritage.org.uk

 

Mayfair eating, drinking and shopping

Punchbowl

An historic, homely pubs, retaining many period features yet catering to the clientele surrounding it, with superb British fusion cuisine, a range of cask ales, fine whiskeys and a vast array of wines.
www.punchbowllondon.com

The Ritz

A hotel synonymous with what Mayfair embodies; affluence, luxury and style.
www.theritzlondon.com

Claridges

Five-star luxury hotel and over a century of glamour combine to create a world of sophistication in the heart of London.
www.claridges.co.uk

Scott's

Tables look on to the elegant oyster and Champagne bar with the full à la carte menu being served throughout the day until noon.
www.scotts-restaurant.com

Brown's

Brown Mayfair is a popular place for the wide range of people that come to Mayfair, including international tourists, art-lovers, shoppers and business people. As you would expect from this part of London, it’s an extremely cosmopolitan place.
www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

Casino – Crockfords

Established in 1828 by William Crockford, Crockfords is the world’s oldest private members gaming club. It was his original vision to create a club of splendour and elegance fit for royalty, diplomats and the aristocratic elite.
www.crockfords.com

Mount Street

Mount Street in the heart of Mayfair is one of London finest residential areas since the 18th century. Mount Street over the years has attracted some of the capital's best retailers for fashion, china and glass, food and wine, as well as specialist businesses including gun and rifles makers, art and antique galleries.
www.mountstreetmayfair.co.uk

The Wolsley

Once a prestigious car showroom, the Wolseley is now a café-restaurant located in St James’ on London’s most famous of boulevard’s, Piccadilly. With its Venetian and Florentine influences, the Wolsey still retains its 1920s charm, making it the prefect setting for either breakfast, lunch or dinner.
www.thewolseley.com

Hakkasan

One of those very rare cases where the sequel may actually be even better than the original. Amidst the metropolis Hakkasan combines excellent food, lovely décor and slick service to create an unparalleled dining experience.
w3.hakkasan.com

Langan’s Brasserie

With walls covered in fine art and a famous haphazard selection of lampshades, this is Mayfair’s answer to the quintessential British dish, fish and chips.
www.langansrestaurants.co.uk

Truc Vert

An ideal breakfast destination, the food captures the essence of Truc Vert's origins in unpretentious, fresh honest fare with an emphasis on superb quality and taste.
www.trucvert.co.uk