Image credit: J c / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · 2017-05-28 ↗
Royal Arcade
Mayfair · Piccadilly → St James’s → Covent Garden · Victorian shopping arcade / picturesque architecture
Story
While Burlington Arcade is the more famous, just a few minutes away lies the Royal Arcade, a gallery well worth discovering. Built in 1879, it created a connection between the fashionable Old Bond Street and Albemarle Street, taking the place of the former Clarendon Hotel. Its architecture stands as a testament to the exuberant style of Victorian luxury commerce: you'll see saddle-shaped glazed roofs, richly decorated stucco arches, curved shop bays, and Ionic columns. Initially, the arcade was known simply as 'The Arcade'. The prestigious 'Royal' prefix was added when the shirtmaker H. W. Brettell, who established his business here in 1880, received the patronage of Queen Victoria. The arcade itself highlights how much of its original fabric has survived, offering visitors an authentic experience of how elite shopping spaces were conceived in the Victorian era. Walking through it provides a direct journey into the past of London's commercial interior design.
What to look for
Look for the saddle-shaped glazed roof, the richly decorated stucco arches defining the bays, the elegant Ionic columns, and the curved shop windows that project into the space.
Secret detail
The 'Royal' in its name was not original. It was added after one of its first tenants, the shirtmaker H. W. Brettell, received the prestigious patronage of Queen Victoria.
Where exactly
You are inside the arcade. You can enter from Old Bond Street or Albemarle Street.
Orientation
Once inside, look UP first to appreciate the roof and arches, then walk the length of the passage in either direction.
Why it matters
This arcade encapsulates the aesthetic and ambition of Victorian luxury retail. Walking through it reveals how architectural design contributed to the shopping experience, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and grandeur in the heart of Mayfair.
Access & opening
Arcade opening varies by day; official site publishes current hours. Shops have their own hours.
Free to enter; shopping optional
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Covered pedestrian arcade; generally level but verify entrance specifics for step-free mode.