I was going to do the walk in the city on 9th June. However, Central line had severe delays on both directions; I decided to do the walk around Piccadilly, St James and Mayfair.
I was instructed to use the South Exit 3 to go to Piccadilly. A lot of shops had Jubilee window displays, very patriotic. I was particularly fond of one of the gentlemens clothes shops display – contained several puppies/dogs display with gents mannequins, with lines of ‘Happy and Glorious – this was very much British lifestyle!
I went to Sotherans On Sackville Street – it had rare books and prints and posters. I dont remember how much each of them was priced. I bought a nice card for my husband who will have birthday soon.
I crossed over Piccadilly and popped in Fortnum & Mason and Hatchards bookshop. There were several books I found interesting; decided back later.
Next, I turned left on Duke Street/St James Street. I found the former home of 3 Prime ministers – William Pitt, Earl of Derby and William Ewart Gladstone in front of St James Square. I strolled through St James Square and found that
I had lunch at Golden Lion Club Pub on King Street. I had lasagne. There were a lot of people in the pub in the lunch time.
I then went back to Piccadilly via St James Street, Bennett Street and Arlington Street and was then directed to turn right on Bolton Street after passing Green Park. I found the house where Nancy Mitford worked during the war time.
I continued on Curzon Street and turned right on Chesterfield Street. I found No.6 where William Somerset Maugham lived between 1911 and 1919. Around there looked like a prestigious, posh residential district. Not only in the past, but it seems that a number of recent and current celebrities are living in that area.
I crossed over Berkeley Square, passed Coach & Horses Pub and went down on Bruton Lane before reaching Hay Hill.
Going down Hay Hill, it led me to Dover Street. I found a very big hotel with a Union Jack flag, i.e. Browns Hotel. This is where Rudyard Kipling and Caroline Balestier stayed after their marriage in 1892. Some famous authors and scriptwriters stayed
I was a little lost around Dover Street, but found ways to get back to the walking course. I found a very interesting shopping arcade – Royal Arcades off Albermarle Street. These small jewellery shops were selling highly valuable watches, necklaces and earrings, etc. I also found very pretty chocolate shop, Charbonnel et Walker – there were a lot of tourists in the shop and buying chocolates and trifes. There were loads of brand clothes and accessories shops – Gucci, Prada, Ralph Lauren, - on the Old Bonds Street, Burlington Gardens, Vico street on the back of the Royal Academy Arts, and Regent Street.
