Burlington Arcade
History
The Burlington Arcade was designed by Samuel Ware and built by Lord George Cavendish in 1819. Lord George lived next door in Burlington House and is rumoured to have built the Arcade to stop the rowdy Londoners of the Regency years from throwing oyster shells into his garden.
Lord George (as he was until he became Lord Burlington and moved into the House of Lords) was considered a progressive politician and survived ten Parliaments as an MP, but his most enduring achievement was the building of The Burlington Arcade.
The Arcade remained in the Cavendish family and later the great grandson of Lord Burlington recruited the Burlington Arcade Beadles (the corps first founded by Lord George, to protect the customers from the ruffians of Regency London) from his regiment, the 10th Hussars.
It was their job to patrol this long pavement in what was then London`s wild West End. The Beadles enforced the Regency laws which prohibited singing, humming, hurrying, making merry and staggering around with too many parcels.
The Beadles of today, known as Burlington Berties, patrol the arcade monitoring for similar offences in the arcade. They are instantly recognisable in their immaculately tailored Edwardian frock coats, star-bright buttons and their gold-braided top hats.
The Arcade houses a huge variety of quality goods, from designer fashionwear, cashmere classics, cardigans, silk waistcoats and leather shoes, to antique, handmade and modern jewellery, fine linen, embroidery and lace, fountain pens, bone cutlery, Fabergé eggs and a wide selection of antiques.
If you really need an excuse to go shopping, then visit one of the shops' museums along your way. Otherwise just enjoy walking along this arcade which provides quality shopping in a serene environment.
Shopping
The Burlington Arcade is situated next to the Royal Academy and opposite Fortnum and Mason, with an entrance on Piccadilly and next to Bond Street. Upon entering the longest covered shopping street in the Britain you will realize that this is as much a historical experience as a retail one.
Penhaligon's is a quintessentially English shop, which has been established for over 120 years and sells scents and fine gifts for men and women. N Peal has been selling cashmere products in the arcade since 1936.
Pickett is filled with British handmade leather goods as well as pashminas. You can find traditional bridle or lightweight canvas luggage; purses and wallets; jewellery boxes; desk sets and photograph frames; classic address or visitors' books; backgammon or bridge sets.
Pickett is also a haven for luxuries for the home, such as faux-fur, fluffy Tibetan lamb, pashmina or suede cushions. Other indulgences include embroidered shawls and Ottoman slippers. Pickett also provide a special order and repair service.
Armour-Winston, the longest established jewellers in the Arcade, specialise in fine antique and estate jewels, pearls, classic wristwatches and gentlemen's jewellery, including rings, cufflinks and evening dress links and studs.
Established in 1950, Penfriend, the world's largest independent fountain pen restorer, boasts a fabulous collection of contemporary and vintage fountain pens.
Daniel Bexfield Antiques specialises in fine quality silver, jewellery and objects of vertu dating from the 17th Century to the 20th Century. Everything that they sell is solid silver (sterling) or gold and in excellent condition.
The St. Petersburg collection sells various elements from the Fabergé range, including their world famous eggs. The gallery at No. 42 also exhibits a large collection of fine Russian Lacquer Boxes, and decorative antiques. |
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West
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