ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
LAP OF
LUXURY
Take a turn around London’s
historic Burlington Arcade for
all you and your loved ones
could wish for this ChristmasBurlington Arcade is located at 51 Piccadilly, London W1. For more
information, visit http://www.burlingtonarcade.com.Giving your partner a luxury shopping arcade
may sound extravagant, but the 19th-century
Burlington Arcade in London’s Mayfair was, in
a way, a gift. The covered gallery was commis-
sioned by Lord George Cavendish, 1st Earl of
Burlington, as a secure place for his wife, Lady
E l i z a b e t h , t o i n d u l g e i n a s p o t o f r e t a i l t h e r a p y.
The Burlington Arcade opened in 1819,
designed in the Regency style by the British
architect Samuel Ware and featuring 51
independent boutiques ‘for the sale of
jewellery and fancy articles of fashion-
able demand for the gratification of the
public’. As it marks its 200th anniver-
sary, it remains London’s top luxury
shopping destination. Beneath its deco-
rative arches you will find a whole host
of goods that would make for perfect
presents; this Christmas you could even
pick up an exclusive hamper or a limited-
edition decoration from the first-ever Harrods pop-up.
For that difficult-to-buy-for family member, step straight
off Piccadilly into the patisserie Ladurée, whose bay window
is filled with all kinds of pastel-
coloured macarons and classic
French pastries. Next, pop into
the celebrated perfumer Roja
Dove for fine fragrances and
luxury hand-poured candles.
Burlington Arcade also has a
stellar fashion offering. N Peal
has cashmere knitwear to keep
your family cosy this winter;
Manolo Blahnik features high-
end footwear; Strathberry has acollection of beautifully crafted leather
handbags; while Christian Louboutin,
opening this month, offers a curated edit
of men’s and women’s shoes and acces-
sories. Look out for the brand’s newest
bag, the Elisa, which is exclusive to the
Arcade. For jewellery, head to Susannah
Lovis or Hancocks, both of which offer
vintage and antique pieces; while the
eye-catching designs of Azza Fahmy, described as ‘wearable
art’, are also well worth perusing. As you stroll through the
Arcade, keep an eye out for the Beadles, the world’s smallest
private police force, in their Victorian-inspired uniforms.
For distinctive watches, look no further than Bell & Ross- the brand’s only London store is the perfect place to find
elegant timepieces, such as the new BR05. For beauty buys,
visit make-up store Code8 to try out the lipstick creation lab.
If you prefer to give someone a great day out this Christmas,
why not book the limited-edition Burlington Arcade afternoon
tea at the Four Seasons Hotel London on Park Lane? Created
to celebrate the Arcade’s 200th anniversary, it features cakes
and pastries inspired by its British charm and luxury heritage.
Beneath its
decorative arches is
a whole host of goods
that would make for
perfect presents