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St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages

5 (4)
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St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages

5 (4)
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Embark on a captivating 3.5-4 hour journey through the royal and aristocratic villages of St James' and Mayfair in London. Follow in the footsteps of monarchs and aristocrats as you explore the elegant streets, gentlemen's clubs, and beautiful parks of St James'. Marvel at the majestic St. James's Palace and the iconic Buckingham Palace. As you venture into Mayfair, discover the luxurious houses, exclusive shops, and historic sites such as Shepherd Market, once the center of Mayfair's red light district. Immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of these prestigious neighborhoods, and uncover hidden secrets and intriguing stories along the way. From the historic Fortnum & Mason to the tranquil Mount Street Gardens, this private tour is the perfect opportunity to experience the opulence and grandeur of Royal and aristocratic London.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 3 hours 30 minutes - 4 hours
  • Suitable for 1-5 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages
  • Explore St James' and Mayfair, two iconic areas of London
  • Visit Fortnum & Mason, one of London's most sophisticated department stores
  • See the Royal Academy of Arts, with its famous summer exhibition
  • Discover the history and charm of Burlington Arcade
  • A fun & experienced professional, local guide, accredited by ITG & the University of Westminster.
  • Food and drinks
  • Food sampling
  • Gratuities - optional
  • Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the royal and aristocratic side of London with the St James' & Mayfair Private Tour. This captivating tour takes you on a journey through two of the most beloved areas of the city, St James' and Mayfair, immersing you in their rich history and grandeur. Lasting for 3.5-4 hours, this tour offers a unique perspective on the royal and aristocratic lifestyle, showcasing the opulent palaces, elegant clubs, and exclusive shops that have defined these neighborhoods for centuries.

What to expect?

Embark on a guided adventure through St James' and Mayfair, where you will be enchanted by the grandeur and elegance that surrounds you. Discover the historical significance of each landmark as you explore the majestic St. James's Palace and Buckingham Palace, the iconic home of the monarchy. Wander through the luxurious houses, beautiful gardens, and exclusive shops of Mayfair, where aristocrats once roamed. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Shepherd Market, which has transformed from a red light district to a leafy retreat. Explore Green Park and St James's Park, two of London's enchanting Royal parks, and learn fascinating stories of the past.

Who is this for?

The St James' & Mayfair Private Tour is ideal for curious individuals who want to delve into the rich history and royal heritage of London. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a fan of the British monarchy, or simply looking to explore the city's most luxurious neighborhoods, this tour is designed to provide a captivating experience for all. Discover the hidden stories and secrets of St James' and Mayfair as you walk in the footsteps of royalty and aristocracy.

Why book this?

Prepare to be captivated by the unique selling points of this tour. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of London's royal and aristocratic villages, where history comes alive. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you'll uncover hidden gems, fascinating tales, and architectural wonders at every turn. From the prestigious Fortnum & Mason, where you'll learn about its intriguing history, to the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony, where royal celebrations have unfolded, this tour offers a truly immersive and unforgettable experience of London's elite.

Good to know

During the St James' & Mayfair Private Tour, you'll enjoy a total duration of 3.5-4 hours, providing ample time to explore all the significant landmarks and hidden gems. The meeting point for the tour is under the Colonnade of the Ritz Hotel at 9:45 a.m. Soak in the fascinating history, vibrant atmosphere, and stunning architecture of St James' and Mayfair as you stroll through these historically significant areas. Gain valuable insights into London's royal and aristocratic past, enriching your understanding of the city's cultural heritage.

Reviews

Customers who have experienced the St James' & Mayfair Private Tour have praised the knowledgeable guides and the immersive nature of the tour. Many have expressed their appreciation for the unique stories and historical context provided, making their visit to London truly memorable. Visitors have particularly enjoyed exploring the elegant gardens, prestigious shops, and iconic landmarks, giving them a deeper understanding of the city's royal and aristocratic history. Join the ranks of satisfied travelers and embark on an enchanting journey through St James' and Mayfair with this exceptional private tour.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Fortnum & Mason

One of London's most sophisticated department stores, it's hard to believe it started life as a market stall! We will wander around the ground floor so I can point out what the store invented 300 years ago which is still in demand today and explain what intriguing structures are on its roof. I guarantee you will want to return at a later date for a more leisurely browse of the entire store to do some serious shopping!

Royal Academy of Arts

Built by the Earl of Burlington in the mid-1660s, I doubt he would recognise it today as at least 9 architects have worked on the building since then! Currently occupied by the Royal Academy, its summer exhibition is a firm fixture in London's 'Social' calendar.

Burlington Arcade

The Burlington arcade has just celebrated its 200th anniversary and was built by one of the Earls of Burlington, George Cavendish. As we wander through and enjoy window shopping some of the 45 retailers who occupy the arcade today, we will see the Beadles who have guarded the arcade since day 1!

Berkeley Square

Most famous for its nightingales which are, in all probability completely fictional, this is one of London's most historically interesting squares. With a forgotten river flowing beneath it, the square is home to many plane trees and a collection of grade 1 listed buildings around its edges one of which is home to the world famous Annabel's night club.

Mount Street Gardens

An oasis of peace and tranquility, it is hard to imagine you are only 5 minutes walk away from one of the busiest shopping streets in London. But life has not always been so calm here - in the 10 minutes we'll take to wander through these gardens, I'll tell you what lies beneath our feet and what gruesome secret one of the buildings at the side of the gardens holds.

Shepherd Market

A leafy retreat nowadays, it used to be the centre of Mayfair's red light district where the aristocrats of old, with too much time and money on their hands, went for their entertainment. It was also the downfall of one MP - but which one?! I'll fill you in on the tour!

Green Park

As we cross Piccadilly and move from Mayfair in the north to St James' in the south, we leave the aristocrats behind and concentrate on the royals. Hear the legend of how Green Park gets it name and learn about the Royal dynasties who will feature during this part of our tour.

St. James's Palace

Built by Henry VIII on the site of what used to be a woman's leper hospital, this was intended to be the palace for Henry's son promised to him by Anne Boleyn. But as the son turned out to be a daughter, Henry used the palace as a hunting lodge instead. The palace has been at the centre of many a Royal event so I will tell you many interesting stories from its past. If it's a day the ancient ceremony of the Changing of the Guard is scheduled to take place, we'll be able to enjoy pageantry at its best.

Buckingham Palace

One of London's most iconic and recognisable buildings, Buckingham Palace is the office of the monarchy. The late Queen Elizabeth II used it on weekdays and Charles III has yet to decide where he will make his London home. This is a chance to see the world famous palace balcony which has been the focal point of many Royal celebrations including the late Queen's 50th, 60th and 70th jubilees and William and Kate's wedding celebrations. This stop is all about the Royals!

St. James's Park

One of eight Royal parks in the capital, St James' is one of my favourites with its ornamental lake and wildlife frolicking in its waters. With luck we'll catch a glimpse of the resident pelicans, a pair of which were gifted to Charles II in 1664 by a Russian ambassador - there have been pelicans on the water ever since!"

Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Originally Henry VIII's tiltyard for jousting, it is best known today for its ancient ceremonies of the Changing of the Guard and the Trooping of the Colour. Horse Guards was home to a gigantic sandpit during the 2012 London Olympics - the question is, though, which sport was it for?! .

St. James' Square

Built by Henry Jermyn as a reward for his loyalty to Charles II during the English Civil War, this was the place to live in the 17 and early 1800s. A pretty square, there are still remnants of the days of old with Nancy Astor's former home and one of Sir Christopher Wren's churches gracing its edge.

Jermyn Street

How better to end the tour than a wander along one of the most historic and sophisticated shopping streets in London. With a cheese shop which used to be a market stall and a perfumery dating back to the 1700s, this street has many stories to tell.

Reviews

(4)

5 (4)

Daniel_G

Will was fantastic. Very generous. Sharing is passion for history. Always smiling. Giving tips about restaurants.

dionr733

Wonderful morning walking tour. Very informative and interesting. Great personal tour guide well studied on the areas history and stories.

Mike A

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of St. James’ and Mayfair with Sandy. We covered a lot of ground during the tour and learned a lot about the history of the neighborhoods and the architectural significance of the aristocratic homes we passed. We also made several fun stops to learn about the various stores and the development of commerce in the neighborhood. We highly recommend Sandy’s tour.

uminabeachgal

An amazing stroll through Mayfair and St James. Sandy my guide is charm personified and her knowledge was extensive, informative and delivered in an easy friendly manner. If like me you are interested in an extensive and detailed history of the two areas then this is the tour for you. I discovered the history of so many shops and how many of them started at Market stalls. The stroll through Fortnum and Masons was informative and discovered just what an innovative store it is. Most notably the many beehives scattered throughout London rooftops and the frenzy of purchasing when released for sale in late summer. I'm particularly interested in the Regency's period and Sandy went out of her way to take me to particular areas of interest. I can not recommend this tour more highly. Next year when I return to London off to Hampton Court I will go with Sandy.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-05 11:32