Friday, 20 November 2009

Burlington Arcade


Rejuvenated from her official visit to Canada, the Duchess of Cornwall has switched on the Christmas lights at the splendid Burlington Arcade in the metropolis.

The arcade was built to the order of Lord George Cavendish, younger brother of the 5th Duke of Devonshire, who had inherited the adjacent Burlington House on what had been the side garden of the house and was reputedly to prevent passers-by throwing oyster shells and other rubbish over the wall of his lordship's home. It consisted of a single straight top-lit walkway lined with seventy-two small two storey units. Some of the units have now been combined, reducing the number of shops to around forty. The ponderous Piccadilly façade, in a late version of Victorian mannerism, was added in the early 20th century.
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2 comments:

  1. Peregrine's Bird Blog20 November 2009 at 14:33

    I bought my wife's engagement ring in Burlington Arcade!!

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  2. Timothy Belmont20 November 2009 at 16:03

    I bought my two Mont Blanc pens in a London arcade and cannot remember whether it was Burlington Arcade, or not, Craig.

    There is no doubt that ambling from one end of it to the other promotes a most excellent sense of well-being!

    Tim

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