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Berkeley Square
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Berkeley Square /ˈbɑːrkli/ is a garden square in the West End of London. It is one of the best known of the many squares in London, located in Mayfair in the City of Westminster. It was laid out in the mid 18th century by the architect William Kent, and originally extended further south. The garden's very large London Plane trees are among the oldest in central London, planted in 1789.
Description
[edit]Buildings
[edit]Like most squares in British cities, it is surrounded largely by terraced houses, in this case grand townhouses. Originally these were the London residences of very wealthy families who would spend most of the year at their country house. Only one building, number 48, remains wholly residential.[a] Most have been converted into offices for businesses typical of Mayfair, such as bluechips' meeting spaces, hedge funds, niche headhunters and wealth management businesses.
The buildings' architects included Robert Adam but 9 Fitzmaurice Place (since 1935 home of the Lansdowne Club, earlier known as Shelb(o)urne then Lansdowne House — all three names referring to the same branch of one family) is now on the south corner's approach ("Fitzmaurice Place"). The daring staircase-hall of No.44 is sometimes considered William Kent's masterpiece.[1] Gunter's Tea Shop, founded under a different name in 1757, used to trade here.
Approach ways include Berkeley Street, Curzon Street, and Hill Street.
Gardens
[edit]The gardens of Berkeley Square are Grade II listed (are in the initial category) on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.[2] They are plain from the horticultural point of view, with grass and paths, but dominated by a group of London Plane trees around the gardens, planted in 1789,[3] the year of the French Revolution.
In 2008, one of the trees was said to be the "most valuable street tree in Britain" by the London Tree Officers Association, in terms of its size, health, historical significance and the number of people who live near to it.[4] One in the south-west corner is a Great Tree of London.[5]
The square features a sculptural fountain by Alexander Munro, a Pre-Raphaelite sculptor, made in 1865. The fountain was donated by the third Marquess of Lansdowne, and replaced a statue of George II which was removed in 1827.[6] On the eastern side is a bronze sculpture of Velasquez' Reina Mariana by Manolo Valdes.
History
[edit]The square was originally the bottom of the large garden of Berkeley House on Piccadilly, subsequently Devonshire House. In 1696, John Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley of Stratton, sold the house and much of the garden to William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire, but retained a significant area at the bottom, including the site of Berkeley Square.
The square is among those[b] that demonstrate non-waiver of (no later agreement to forego) restrictive covenants. In 1696, with express intent to bind later owners, Berkeley undertook not to build on land retained very directly behind the house, so preserving the view from the rear of the ducal residence. The southernmost portion saw either a breach and passage of 20 years without claim (the limitation period of deeds) or a release of covenant agreement struck up – it was until about 1930 legally required green space, namely gardens of 9 Fitzmaurice Place.[7] They became the new south side of the square.
Famous residents
[edit]Residents have included:[8]
- John Byng (1741), executed Vice-Admiral, Royal Navy. His home was decorated by architect Isaac Ware
- Horace Walpole 1779 until 1797 death—at No.11
- George Canning, Prime Minister (1827)—at No.50
- Winston Churchill—at No.48 as a child
- Lady Isabella Finch-at No.44 until 1771, a Lady of the Bedchamber to Princess Amelia[9]
- Robert Clive of India—bought No.45 in 1761, where he died in 1774
- Sarah Child Villiers, Countess of Jersey (Lady Jersey), one of the famous patronesses of Almack's and leaders of the ton during the Regency era; heiress to the Child & Co. banking fortune—at No.38
- Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, born here 1877
- 50 Berkeley Square used to be occupied by Maggs Brothers Antiquarian Booksellers.[10]
At Lansdowne House, formerly on the square:
- John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister (1762–63)
- William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne (later 1st Marquess of Lansdowne), prime minister (1782–83)
- William Pitt the Younger, prime minister (1783–1801, 1804–1806)
- William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, richest man in America at the time (1891–1893)
- Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, Liberal statesman and Prime Minister (1894–1895)
- Harry Gordon Selfridge, founder of the Selfridges department store
Fictional residents
[edit]- P.G. Wodehouse's character Bertie Wooster lives near Berkeley Square in a Berkeley St. flat along with his valet Jeeves, not far from the Drones Club.
- Harry Flashman, the vicious bully of Tom Brown's School Days and anti-hero of the Flashman Papers, had a marital home here with his wife Elspeth.
- Cathy Lane, Patty Lane's "identical cousin", is said to have lived here in the theme song to The Patty Duke Show.
- 50 Berkeley Square is allegedly haunted.[10]
- "Tomlinson", the title character of Rudyard Kipling's 1891 satirical poem, "gave up the ghost at his house in Berkeley Square".
- Peter Standish, a character from the play Berkeley Square written by John Balderston, about a Yankee who lives in a house on the square and is transported back to the 18th century. The play was produced as a movie in 1933, with Leslie Howard, and in 1951, and on television in 1959.
- In the 1949 comedy film Kind Hearts and Coronets, Lady Agatha D'Ascogne is made to fall to her death in Berkeley Square to accommodate a clever poetic parody.
- Lady Emily Ashton, created by author Tasha Alexander, lives primarily in her Berkeley Square residence during the Victorian period.
- The Marquis of Alverstoke, the main male character from the novel Frederica by Georgette Heyer.
- The Stanton-Lacy family live in Berkeley Square, as seen in the novel The Grand Sophy, also by Heyer.
- The 1998 television miniseries Berkeley Square focussed on three wealthy Edwardian families and their staff living in the square.
- One of Peter Cheyney's main characters, private detective Slim Callaghan, had his office on Berkeley Square.
Transport
[edit]Berkeley Square is a typical prime Central London distance from:-
- Green Park Underground station (on the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Victoria lines)
- Bond Street Underground station (on the Central and Jubilee lines).
London Buses route 22 passes through the square.
Berkeley Square hosts vehicle charging points supplied by Elektromotive.
See also
[edit]- 50 Berkeley Square, a building described as The Most Haunted House in London.
- Berkeley Square, the 1933 film starring Leslie Howard
- Berkeley Square, a 1998 TV mini-series produced by, and shown on, the BBC.
- The Ghosts of Berkeley Square, 1947 film starring Robert Morley and Felix Aylmer
- 9 Fitzmaurice Place (formerly Lansdowne House when on the Square)
- "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square"—a 1940 song written by Manning Sherwin and Eric Maschwitz, associated in England with singer Vera Lynn or in America with the Glenn Miller Band, and a 1979 film directed by Ralph Thomas.
- The Fleming Collection, a large private collection of Scottish art held in the square.
- List of eponymous roads in London
Notes
[edit]- ^ Numbering is from 1 to 57 but many are missed; one building is named with no numbering, Berkeley Square House
- ^ Analogous to locus classicus case concerning Leicester Square, a pillar of this English law, Tulk v Moxhay
References
[edit]- ^ Sykes, 104–111
- ^ Historic England, "Berkeley Square (1000516)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 22 March 2018
- ^ "Berkeley Square | Westminster City Council". www.westminster.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ "Plane lovely: The most valuable tree is identified in Berkeley Square". Evening Standard. 21 April 2008.
- ^ The Great Trees of London. Time Out Guides Ltd. 2010. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-84670-154-2.
- ^ Gardens (en), Parks and (31 December 1744). "Berkeley Square, Mayfair - London". Parks & Gardens. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ 'Berkeley Square, North Side,' in Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings), ed. F H W Sheppard (London: London County Council, 1980), 64–67, accessed 21 November 2015, online
- ^ "Berkeley Square and its neighbourhood | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ Chalus, E. H. (2004). "Finch, Lady (Cecilia) Isabella [Bell] (1700–1771), courtier". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/68377. Retrieved 10 June 2023. (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ a b walksoflondon.co.uk Archived 22 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine—50 Berkeley Square, The Most Haunted House In London, accessed 2008-02-08.
Sources
[edit]- "Berkeley Square, North Side", Survey of London: volume 40: The Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings) (1980) at British History Online (date accessed 5 July 2009)
- "Berkeley Square and its neighbourhood", Old and New London: Volume 4 (1878) at British History Online (date accessed 5 July 2009)
- Sykes, Christopher Simon. Private Palaces: Life in the Great London Houses, Chatto & Windus, 1985
External links
[edit]Berkeley Square
View on GrokipediaDescription
Location and Layout
Berkeley Square is situated in the affluent Mayfair district of the City of Westminster, central London, forming a key element of the area's historic urban fabric.[1] It was developed as part of the Berkeley Estate, a historic landholding in Mayfair from the 18th century onward.[1] The square is bordered by Berkeley Street to the east, Bruton Street to the west, Curzon Street and Hill Street to the north, and Fitzmaurice Place leading south toward Piccadilly.[1] Its proximity to Bond Street, approximately 0.3 miles to the northeast, and Green Park, about 0.4 miles to the south, underscores its integration into Mayfair's commercial and recreational network.[5] The layout of Berkeley Square is characteristically rectangular and elongated, spanning approximately 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in an oval-like configuration when viewed from above.[1] Originally, the square extended farther south toward Piccadilly, encompassing additional land associated with the former Lansdowne House grounds, until redevelopment in the 1930s reconfigured the southern boundary with new structures and the creation of Fitzmaurice Place.[1] This adjustment reduced its southern reach, preserving the central garden as the focal point amid perimeter roads and buildings enclosed by iron railings. The spatial organization emphasizes a green central space divided into four grass quarters by intersecting gravel paths, with a perimeter path enhancing pedestrian circulation.[1] Topographically, Berkeley Square occupies a gentle slope rising slightly from former farmland to the north of Piccadilly, with the southern end positioned lower, contributing to natural drainage and a sense of enclosure.[1] Developed on land once used for agriculture by the Berkeley family in the 17th century, it serves as a vital green oasis amid Mayfair's dense urban environment of high-end offices, shops, and residences.[6]Gardens
The central gardens of Berkeley Square form an elongated oval of approximately 1 hectare, laid out in the mid-18th century as a communal green space within the surrounding residential development. Enclosed by 1745 following the sale of the land with stipulations prohibiting building on the central area, the gardens were formalized in 1766 through a private Act of Parliament that established trustees for their maintenance, ensuring their role as a shared amenity for residents and later the public. The layout features four grass quarters divided by intersecting gravel paths, creating a light and open landscape that has remained largely unchanged since the late 1760s.[1] Key features include a ring of mature London plane trees (Platanus × acerifolia), many planted in 1789, which provide dappled shade and support urban biodiversity by hosting birds, insects, and lichens adapted to city conditions. One of these trees, located in the southwest corner, was designated as one of the Great Trees of London in 2008 and valued at £750,000 under the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT) system, highlighting its ecological and aesthetic significance. At the center stands a pump house erected around 1800 with a distinctive Chinese-style roof, originally supplying water to the square and now serving as a focal point surrounded by four stone baskets. To the south, a marble fountain sculpted by Alexander Munro in 1865 depicts a nymph pouring water from a vase; donated by the third Marquess of Lansdowne, it replaced an earlier equestrian statue of George III removed in 1827.[1][2][7][8] Managed by the City of Westminster as a Grade II registered historic park and garden since 1990, the site operates as a private garden maintained for leaseholders but open daily to the public from 8am, with seasonal closing times. Access is wheelchair-friendly, and the space hosts events such as summer concerts and festivals, continuing its tradition as a vital communal oasis in Mayfair. The trees alone, integral to the square's ecology, were collectively appraised at significant value in 2008, underscoring their contribution to air quality, cooling, and wildlife habitat in this urban setting.[1][2][9]Buildings
Berkeley Square is encircled by predominantly Georgian townhouses constructed between the 1740s and 1760s, reflecting the era's emphasis on symmetrical urban planning and classical proportions. Several key buildings around the square, notably No. 44, were designed by the architect William Kent, who introduced Palladian influences characterized by balanced facades, pediments, and harmonious proportions inspired by Andrea Palladio's Renaissance interpretations of ancient Roman architecture. Robert Adam contributed to the architectural legacy with his neoclassical designs, incorporating delicate ornamentation and interior grandeur. Many of these structures feature stucco facades for a smooth, unified appearance, often painted in pale tones, complemented by wrought-iron railings that enclose basement areas and add intricate detailing typical of mid-18th-century London townhouses.[10][11][12] Notable surviving examples include No. 44 Berkeley Square, one of the earliest and best-preserved townhouses, built in 1742–1744 by William Kent for Lady Isabella Finch and designated as a Grade I listed building for its exceptional architectural and historical significance, including a grand staircase and apsed rooms. No. 48 Berkeley Square, constructed around 1830, stands as the last remaining private residential property on the square, now converted into luxury apartments while retaining its Regency-era features. Lansdowne House, initiated in the 1760s under Robert Adam's design for the Earl of Bute and later owned by the Earl of Shelburne, exemplifies Adam's style with its elegant interiors; partially reconstructed after 1930s alterations, it has served as the Lansdowne Club since 1935, preserving original rooms amid modern club facilities. The site of Gunter's Tea Shop at Nos. 7–8, founded in 1757 by Italian confectioner Domenico Negri as "The Pot and Pineapple," highlights the square's early commercial adaptations, offering ices and pastries to elite clientele until its relocation in the 1930s.[13][14][15][16][17][18] By the 20th century, most townhouses had transitioned from residential use to offices, private clubs, and embassies, with ongoing preservation efforts ensuring the retention of historical elements through Grade I and II listings administered by Historic England. Modern adaptations include luxury office spaces occupied by financial institutions, such as hedge funds like Steadview Capital at No. 30, which leased space in 2019 for high-end operations. As of 2025, the Berkeley Square Estate is managed by private investment groups, ensuring preservation through these listings.[19] The Clermont at No. 44, formerly the exclusive Clermont Club since the 1960s, continues as a members-only venue blending Georgian heritage with contemporary hospitality. These conversions prioritize the square's architectural integrity, with many buildings undergoing sensitive refurbishments to accommodate professional uses while maintaining stucco exteriors and ironwork. The southern extension of the original square, which reached further toward Piccadilly, was redeveloped in the 1930s; this included the construction of Stratton House in 1929 at the nearby corner of Stratton Street and Piccadilly, effectively enclosing and reshaping the southern perimeter amid broader urban expansions.[1][20][21][22][23][24][25]History
Origins and Early Development
The origins of Berkeley Square trace back to the mid-17th century, when the land formed part of the expansive estate surrounding Berkeley House, a grand mansion constructed between 1665 and 1675 for John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, at a cost of approximately £30,000 and designed in the Italian style by architect Hugh May.[26] This property, located on the north side of Piccadilly near St. James's Palace, included gardens that extended northward into what would become Mayfair, transforming open fields into a private aristocratic domain.[26] Berkeley House served as a symbol of the baron's wealth and status as a Royalist commander during the English Civil War and later as a privy councillor under Charles II, but it was largely destroyed by fire on October 16, 1733, leading to its demolition and paving the way for further urban development.[26] Following the demolition, the surplus land from the Berkeley estate was redeveloped into a formal square, named in honor of the Berkeley family whose ownership dated to the baron's acquisition in the 1660s.[26] In the 1740s, the Berkeley family's trustees leased the land to speculative builders such as Edward Cock and Francis Huggins, initiating the square's development.[26][1] Architect William Kent oversaw the design in the mid-1740s, drawing on Palladian principles to create an elegant urban piazza inspired by earlier London squares like St. James's; the east side's houses were completed by 1738, while the west side followed in the 1740s and was completed by 1745, establishing a uniform terrace of high-quality townhouses.[26] A pivotal 1745 agreement between the Duke of Devonshire and other stakeholders formalized the central garden, ensuring its enclosure and maintenance as a communal green space amid the surrounding residences. A private Act of Parliament in 1766 formalized the square's maintenance by trustees.[26][1] This development occurred amid Mayfair's broader transformation from farmland and meadows into London's premier elite residential quarter, accelerated after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which brought political stability and encouraged westward expansion among the aristocracy seeking proximity to the royal court at St. James's Palace.[27] Initial residents, including nobles and courtiers, reflected the area's status as a Whig stronghold during the early Hanoverian era, with the square's location just north of Piccadilly enhancing its appeal for high society.[27] Bouverie, a resident at No. 13, later contributed to the garden by planting London plane trees in 1789, underscoring the square's role in Mayfair's evolution into a symbol of refined Georgian urbanity.[26][1]19th and 20th Centuries
During the 19th century, Berkeley Square solidified its status as one of London's most prestigious residential addresses, attracting aristocracy, diplomats, and affluent professionals who valued its central Mayfair location and elegant Georgian architecture.[1] The square's desirability persisted from its early development, with notable residents including prime ministers and foreign envoys, though by mid-century some houses began transitioning to institutional uses amid shifting social patterns. In 1789, the square's central garden was enhanced with the planting of mature London plane trees (Platanus × acerifolia), selected for their resilience to urban pollution and ability to provide shade in the growing metropolis; these trees, among the oldest in central London, remain a defining feature today. A persistent legend emerged in the 1830s associating No. 50 Berkeley Square with supernatural hauntings, centered on the attic room where ghostly apparitions were reportedly sighted, often linked to tragic suicides or a vengeful spirit tied to a jilted bride or tormented nobleman. The tales gained traction in the late 19th century through press accounts and spiritualist publications, portraying the house as London's most haunted, with reports of a spectral figure causing madness or death to overnight visitors, though no verified incidents were documented. Victorian and Edwardian eras saw further evolution, exemplified by the fame of Gunter's Tea Shop at Nos. 7–8, established in 1757 as the Pot and Pineapple confectionery but renowned by the 19th century for its elaborate ices, sorbets, and tea service, drawing Regency-era crowds for outdoor indulgence under the plane trees. In 1865, the square's garden received the Lansdowne Fountain, a marble nymph sculpture by Pre-Raphaelite artist Alexander Munro, donated by Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne, to commemorate his late wife and enhance the public amenity.[28][29][8] The early 20th century brought architectural adaptations, including the conversion of historic residences into private clubs; Lansdowne House, originally designed by Robert Adam in the 1760s, was partially demolished in the 1930s to accommodate road improvements and reconfigured as the Lansdowne Club in 1935, one of London's first gender-equal members' clubs, preserving Adam's interiors within an Art Deco extension. World War I had limited direct impact, but World War II brought minor bombing damage, including a 1940 delayed-action bomb that destroyed two Georgian houses on the square's edge and a 1942 air raid that shattered windows and facades across several buildings, prompting temporary evacuations and repairs. Post-war reconstruction accelerated the shift to commercial use, with many townhouses converted into offices by the 1950s, reflecting Mayfair's transformation from residential enclave to business hub. In 1930, the southern portion of the garden was closed off to facilitate the construction of Stratton House on adjacent Stratton Street, reducing public access but integrating the site into the Grosvenor Estate's modern portfolio. Amid 21st-century climate concerns, one of the 1789 plane trees was valued at £750,000 in 2008 under the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees system, highlighting its ecological and aesthetic significance in urban planning.[16][30][31]Recent Developments
In the 21st century, Berkeley Square has seen increased commercial activity, with many historic townhouses converted into high-end finance offices and luxury retail spaces. Firms such as Blackstone have established headquarters at 40 Berkeley Square, contributing to the area's role as a hub for international finance.[32] Similarly, the Jack Barclay Bentley showroom at 18 Berkeley Square serves as a flagship for luxury automobiles, blending heritage architecture with modern automotive display since its prominent establishment in the area.[33] These developments reflect a shift toward premium business and retail uses while preserving the square's Georgian character. Art installations have added contemporary elements to the square's gardens, enhancing its cultural appeal. Notable examples include temporary public sculptures, such as Dale Chihuly's "Sun" installation unveiled in 2014, which stood 5.5 meters high and drew visitors to the central green space.[34] The annual LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair, launched in 2009 and held each autumn, has become a key event, transforming the square into a venue for over 80 vetted dealers showcasing fine art, antiques, and jewelry; the 2025 edition ran from October 28 to November 2, attracting collectors and reinforcing the square's status in London's art scene.[35] Preservation efforts have focused on maintaining the square's historic integrity amid urban pressures. Many surrounding buildings, such as 25 and 42 Berkeley Square, hold Grade II listed status from Historic England, with ongoing refurbishments like the 2020s redevelopment of 25 Berkeley Square balancing modern office needs with architectural conservation.[36] The central gardens, also Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, benefit from Westminster City Council's management, which ensures public access and funds maintenance. Tree health initiatives gained prominence following a 2008 valuation under the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT) system, which priced one mature London plane tree at £750,000—the UK's most valuable street tree at the time—prompting enhanced care for the square's 18th-century plane trees to combat urban pollution and disease.[37] Modern challenges include development pressures from nearby redevelopments, such as the 170,000 sq ft office refurbishment at 50 Berkeley Street set for completion in 2025, though the core square has avoided major construction to protect its heritage status.[38] Minor updates support sustainability, including the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging points around the perimeter, such as those at 15 and 49 Berkeley Square operated by networks like Shell Recharge and Source London.[39] As of 2025, Berkeley Square maintains a balance between its preserved 18th-century layout and contemporary functions, with no significant disruptions or events reported since 2023.Notable Associations
Historical Residents
Berkeley Square has long been synonymous with elite society, attracting politicians, writers, and nobility due to its prime location in Mayfair and the grandeur of its Georgian architecture, which symbolized status and proximity to power in 18th- and 19th-century London.[40] The square's residential appeal drew influential figures whose tenures there intersected with pivotal moments in British history, from colonial administration to political reform and literary innovation. One of the earliest prominent residents was John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, who commissioned the construction of Lansdowne House at the southwest corner of the square around 1761 while serving as Prime Minister (1762–1763). Bute's tenure at the unfinished mansion, designed by Robert Adam, reflected his role in navigating the aftermath of the Seven Years' War, including policies on colonial taxation that sowed seeds for American independence; he sold the property in 1765 before completion due to political disgrace.[40] Later, William Pitt the Younger briefly resided in his brother's house on the square upon returning from Cambridge in 1781, using it as a base before ascending to Prime Minister (1783–1801, 1804–1806), where he implemented financial reforms and led Britain through the early Napoleonic Wars.[41] In the late 18th century, Horace Walpole, son of Prime Minister Robert Walpole, lived at No. 11 from 1779 until his death in 1797, from where he corresponded extensively on art, architecture, and politics, chronicling the square's evolving social scene in letters that offer insights into Georgian London's cultural milieu.[42] George Canning, Foreign Secretary (1807–1809, 1822–1827) and briefly Prime Minister (1827), occupied No. 50 in the early 19th century, hosting political gatherings that advanced liberal Tory policies, including support for Catholic emancipation and anti-slavery efforts during a time of European upheaval.[43] The square's aristocratic draw continued into the 19th century, exemplified by Robert Clive, known as Clive of India, who purchased No. 45 in 1761 after amassing wealth through East India Company conquests; his residence there underscored the square's ties to imperial expansion and the economic influences shaping British global dominance.[44] In the Victorian era, No. 48 served as the London home of Lord Randolph Churchill from 1874 to 1879, where his son, future Prime Minister Winston Churchill, spent his early childhood years amid the family's political ambitions.[45] Charles Stewart Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, was born at 35 Hill Street, adjacent to the square, in 1877, launching his pioneering work in motoring and aviation from this affluent enclave.[46] W. Somerset Maugham, the prolific early 20th-century author of works like Of Human Bondage, maintained close ties to the area through Mayfair residences in the 1910s, immersing himself in the square's literary circles that influenced his satirical portrayals of high society.[47] No. 48 endured as one of the square's last primarily residential holdouts into the 20th century, preserving its historical character amid commercial encroachment, while residents' legacies in politics and culture elevated Berkeley Square's prestige.[15]Cultural and Fictional References
Berkeley Square has inspired numerous cultural works, particularly in music and literature, where it symbolizes romance, elegance, and the supernatural amid London's urban sophistication. One of the most enduring references is the 1939 song "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and music by Manning Sherwin, which evokes a dreamy, romantic escape in the heart of Mayfair during the early days of World War II.[48] The tune became a poignant anthem for lovers separated by the Blitz, capturing the square's serene gardens as a rare haven of peace in wartime London, and was popularized by recordings from artists like Vera Lynn and Glenn Miller.[49] In literature and fiction, Berkeley Square features prominently as a setting for upper-class life and eerie folklore. P.G. Wodehouse placed his fictional protagonist Bertie Wooster and valet Jeeves at Berkeley Mansions on the square in several Jeeves and Wooster stories, portraying it as a hub of aristocratic leisure and comedic mishaps in early 20th-century London society. The square's darker side appears in 19th-century ghost lore surrounding No. 50 Berkeley Square, reputedly London's most haunted house, where tales emerged of a reclusive occupant haunted by tragedy after being jilted by his fiancée, causing the property to decay and subsequent rumors of terror that gained traction in the 1860s and 1870s.[50] The square's aura of Mayfair elegance has also influenced film and television, often serving as a backdrop for period dramas exploring class and romance. It lends its name to the 1998 BBC miniseries Berkeley Square, set in 1902, which follows three young nannies navigating the households of wealthy families around the square, highlighting the era's social divides and personal aspirations.[51] Earlier, the 1933 film Berkeley Square, adapted from John L. Balderston's play, uses the location as a nexus for time-travel fantasy, where a modern man swaps places with his 18th-century ancestor amid the square's historic townhouses.[52] Beyond these, Berkeley Square ties into broader cultural heritage through Horace Walpole's correspondence; the Gothic novelist and antiquarian resided at No. 11 from 1779 until his death in 1797, penning letters that reflect on the square's refined tranquility as a retreat from political tumult.[42] In contemporary times, the square hosts prestigious events like the annual LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair, a showcase of fine art, antiques, and jewelry that celebrates its legacy as a center of cultural sophistication since 2009.[53]Connectivity
Public Transport
Berkeley Square is well-served by London's public transport network, with the nearest Underground stations being Green Park, approximately 0.3 miles to the south, which provides access to the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.[54] Bond Street station, about 0.4 miles to the north, connects to the Central and Jubilee lines as well as the Elizabeth line for cross-London travel. Several bus routes operated by Transport for London (TfL) stop directly at or near the square, including on Berkeley Street and surrounding roads such as Davies Street. Key daytime routes include the 22, which runs from Piccadilly Circus to Putney Common via Hyde Park Corner; the 9 from Hammersmith to Finsbury Park; the 14 to Putney Heath; the 19 to Battersea Bridge or Finsbury Park; the 23 to Westbourne Park; and the 38 to Clapton. Night bus N22 provides overnight service along a similar route to the daytime 22.[55] Public transport to the area dates back to the 19th century, when horse-drawn omnibuses first connected central London locales like the West End, including routes passing through Mayfair, carrying passengers in open 'knifeboard' seating before enclosed designs emerged in the 1880s. By the 1890s, over 2,000 such buses operated across London with 25,000 horses, serving affluent areas near Berkeley Square until their phase-out in favor of motorized vehicles by 1911. Today, these services are fully integrated into the TfL network, offering contactless payments and real-time tracking via the TfL app.[56][57] Accessibility features include step-free access at Green Park station via lifts from street level to platforms on all three lines, restored fully by August 2025 after maintenance. Santander Cycles docking stations are available nearby in Mayfair, enabling easy bike hire for short trips to the square at a cost starting from £1.65 for the first 30 minutes.[58][59][60]Modern Access and Amenities
Berkeley Square offers accessible pedestrian pathways through its central gardens, featuring gravel footpaths that divide the oval green space into four quadrants, allowing visitors to stroll amid historic London plane trees planted in the 18th century.[61] The square's location in Mayfair provides convenient proximity to Oxford Street's shopping district, approximately a 10-minute walk to the north via Bond Street, facilitating easy integration with retail and leisure activities.[62] For cyclists, a Santander Cycles docking station is situated directly at Berkeley Square House on the square's eastern edge, part of Transport for London's network with over 800 stations citywide, enabling short-term hires for exploring the area.[63] Vehicle access is restricted by the square's position within London's Congestion Charging Zone, where drivers must pay a daily fee from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends and bank holidays) to enter the central area encompassing Mayfair.[64] On-street parking is limited to metered bays around the perimeter, operational from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with maximum stays of two to four hours depending on the zone.[65] Electric vehicle support includes several charging points nearby, such as those at 49 Berkeley Square operated by Shell Recharge (installed as part of the city's expansion in the 2010s) and bp pulse stations at 4 Berkeley Square, reflecting broader infrastructure growth under networks like Source London.[66][67] Contemporary amenities enhance the square's appeal as a serene urban oasis amid luxury surroundings. The gardens feature a central shelter for seating, while adjacent Mayfair streets host upscale cafes and shops, including the renowned private members' club Annabel's at 46 Berkeley Square, known for its fine dining and entertainment since its 1963 founding.[68] Security is maintained through private patrols by firms operating in the area, such as those based at 35 Berkeley Square, ensuring a safe environment in this high-value district.[69] Post-2020 enhancements to the public realm around Berkeley Square include upgraded street lighting and directional signage to improve navigation and safety for pedestrians, as part of ongoing Mayfair improvements initiated around 2019 and completed in subsequent years. No significant structural changes have occurred in 2024 or 2025 beyond temporary setups for annual art fairs like the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair (October 28–November 2, 2025), which involve logistical arrangements for exhibitor tents and visitor access without altering permanent infrastructure.[35]References
- https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography%2C_1885-1900/Pitt%2C_William_%281759-1806%29
- https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography%2C_1912_supplement/Rolls%2C_Charles_Stewart
