Did you know that...
Mayfair is a wealthy district located in the West End of London near Hyde Park’s eastern border, in the City of Westminster, between Park Lane, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Piccadilly. The district is one of London’s and the rest of the world’s most expensive areas.
Mayfair takes its name after the May Fair event. The event lasted for two weeks at the beginning of May. From 1686 to 1764, May Fair took place annually in the Shepherds Market. In the 18th century, George William Coventry, the 6th Earl of Coventry abolished the festival.
Mayfair is recognized as an international art center and is home to the Royal Academy of Arts, the world’s oldest fine arts academy. Founded by George III in 1768, the institute holds a summer exhibition every year that showcases more than a thousand modern art works that are submitted by anyone.
Singer Cass Elliot and drummer Keith Moon of The Who died in flat 12 at 9 Curzon Place in Shepherds Market four years apart.
The Great Room at Grosvenor House Hotel features a skating rink. Queen Elizabeth II learned to skate here in 1933. King George V and Queen Mary attended the opening of The May Fair Hotel in 1927. The hotel hosted performances by famous dance band leader Bert Ambrose.
The department store Debenhams was one of first Britain stores to have its phone number. Mayfair is the most expensive property on the regular British Monopoly. Writer Oscar Wilde lived in Mayfair.
More than 700 illegal marriages took place at the Mayfair Chapel in the 18th century. The 6th Duke of Hamilton and Elizabeth Gunning married here in 1752. One year later, a law preventing unlicensed marriages was adopted.
The area does not have any London Underground stations, but there are many within its borders. On the northern side is the Central line and serves Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, and Bond Street, while the Piccadilly line is on the southern side and serves Green Park and Piccadilly Circus.