Guide to... Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square is a town square in the West End of London in the City of Westminster, originally laid out in the mid 18th century by architect William Kent. The square features a statue by Alexander Munro, a Pre-Raphaelite sculptor, made in 1858. The surrounding London Plane trees are among the oldest in central London, planted in 1789. 50 Berkeley Square is the most infamous haunted house in London. The house is currently occupied by Maggs Brothers Antiquarian Booksellers.
Several years after the Restoration of the British monarchy in 1660, the English Royalist soldier John Berkeley of Stratton purchased a stretch of land north of Piccadilly in the up and coming Mayfair district, and promptly erected the magnificent Berkeley House. The residence was later sold to the Duke of Devonshire in 1696 under the condition that Berkeley would refrain from building on the surrounding gardens, hence preserving the Duke’s view and protecting the space that would later become the prestigious square known and treasured to this day.
Berkeley House was demolished through a fire in 1733, after which a series of grandiose residents were constructed by carpenters Edward Cock and Francis Hillyard along the square’s western flank. The south side belonged to the gardens of Lansdowne House, designed by Robert Adam and finished in the late 18th century, whilst the north underwent further development in the early 1900s. The enclosed space was rescued from its somewhat dishevelled appearance in 1767, through a group elected to create and maintain an appealing public locale. A scattering of plane trees planted in 1789 still remain, regarded as some of the oldest specimens in central London.
Berkeley Square witnessed additional renovation during the 1900s, particularly during the 30s, as properties on the eastern border were rebuilt and utilised as offices, and a portion of Lansdowne House was demolished to make way for a new road. Since then, affluent businesses and private clubs have all but taken over the square, with only one residential building left standing. Even though homeowners nowadays are rare, plenty of famous figures have enjoyed the pleasures of life overlooking Berkeley Square over the centuries. Art historian and writer Horace Walpole lived at number 11 until his death in 1797, Winston Churchill spent his childhood at number 48 and the British Prime Minister George Canning resided at number 50, which has been long regarded as the most haunted house in the capital.
With its rich history, aristocratic air and deluxe dwellings, this elegant setting has revelled in its fair share of fame, encapsulated both on screen and in song. Vera Lynn’s wartime classic ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ has been reproduced by a number of artists, including Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. A 1933 eponymous film and a 1998 BBC mini-series brought the square to an even wider audience, reflecting its impact on modern society. Currently hosting a series of fashionable offices, upmarket car dealers and a collection of elite boutiques and eateries, Berkeley Square has preserved its status as one of London’s most exclusive addresses.
Explore Berkeley Square by browsing these categories
Eating Nightlife Shopping Sightseeing Accommodation Living Life Working Travel & Transport Studying Health & WellnessPopular Nearby Streets & Areas: Mayfair (0.17km) Albemarle Street (0.2km) Berkeley Street (0.15km) Dover Street (0.19km) Hill Street (0.12km) Farm Street (0.09km) Bruton Street (0.11km) Bruton Place (0.13km) Mount Street (0.2km) Clarges Street (0.15km)
Benares Restaurant
Taking inspiration from his native India, while continuously researching regional dishes, Atul combines his heritage...Read more
Mayfair Eating Restaurants Indian Restaurants Berkeley Square Michelin Star Restaurants 1 Michelin Star
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish is an Asian restaurant and bar located on the corner of Berkeley Square, Mayfair serving Japanese-inspired...Read more
Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants Explore London Mayfair Restaurants Eating Japanese & Sushi Restaurants Berkeley Square
Food Hygiene Ratings for Sexy Fish
Hygiene Rating: 5/5
Inspected: on 2/21/19
Inspected: on 2/21/19
Holiday Inn (Mayfair)
A comfortable base in the heart of London’s theatre and shopping districts, within walking distance of many major...Read more
Accommodation Hotels Berkeley Street Explore London Mayfair Eating Restaurants Berkeley Square
Food Hygiene Ratings for Holiday Inn (Mayfair)
Hygiene Rating: 5/5
Inspected: on 10/30/17
Inspected: on 10/30/17
Novikov Restaurant & Bar
Novikov Restaurant & Bar combines cool and contemporary interiors with a superlative culinary offering. Located in...Read more
Berkeley Street Explore London Mayfair Eating Restaurants Berkeley Square
Food Hygiene Ratings for Novikov Restaurant & Bar
Hygiene Rating: 5/5
Inspected: on 3/21/17
Inspected: on 3/21/17
Bocconcino Restaurant
Bocconcino is a Mayfair destination restaurant serving both classic and modern Italian cuisine and cocktails in a...Read more
Italian Restaurants Berkeley Street Pizza Restaurants Explore London Mayfair Eating Restaurants Berkeley Square
Food Hygiene Ratings for Bocconcino Restaurant
Hygiene Rating: 5/5
Inspected: on 11/9/17
Inspected: on 11/9/17
Nobu (Berkeley Street)
Located at 15 Berkeley Street in the heart of Mayfair, Nobu Berkeley ST is the legendary institution's most...Read more
Japanese & Sushi Restaurants Berkeley Street Explore London Mayfair Eating Restaurants Berkeley Square
Food Hygiene Ratings for Nobu (Berkeley Street)
Hygiene Rating: 5/5
Inspected: on 7/4/17
Inspected: on 7/4/17
May Fair KitchenTop Pick
Our refreshed interiors and new menu evoke an ambience to recreate the culinary delights of the Mediterranean,...Read more
Italian Restaurants Spanish Restaurants Stratton Street Mayfair Eating Restaurants Mediterranean Restaurants Berkeley Square Berkeley Street Piccadilly
Food Hygiene Ratings for May Fair Kitchen
Hygiene Rating: 5/5
Inspected: on 2/5/18
Inspected: on 2/5/18
Part of The May Fair Hotel
Fifty9 Bar
Fifty9 is a venue which will supersede anything before seen in London. The venue is spread over two floors; the...Read more
Fitness First (Berkeley Square)
Our Mayfair gym is located in Berkeley Square, central London, and offers members cutting edge fitness...Read more
Living Life Personal Trainers Gyms Explore London Mayfair Berkeley Square
Jack Barclay
Established in 1927, Jack Barclay is the world’s oldest and most famous Bentley dealer. We are extremely proud to be...Read more
Jeroboams
Nestled between the prestigious locations of Bond Street, Berkeley Square and Grosvenor Square in the heart of...Read more
Shopping Belgravia Pont Street Explore London Mayfair Berkeley Square
Matt Roberts Personal Training
As the UK's leading personal trainer and best-selling fitness author; Matt Roberts presides over a multifaceted...Read more
Living Life Personal Trainers Berkeley Street Explore London Mayfair Berkeley Square
MF Angel GP Limited
MF ANGEL GP LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House ... office address: 7th Floor Berger House, 38...Read more
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Annabel's Wine Cellar
Annabel’s has a global reputation that has been established over the past five decades, founded on superb service,...Read more
Nightlife Nightclubs Hay's Mews Explore London Mayfair Eating Restaurants
Mark's Club
Mark's Club is an elegant and traditional private members' club, situated in a beautiful townhouse in Mayfair. Opened...Read more
Nightlife Private Members' Clubs Charles Street Explore London Mayfair
E & R Cyzer
Situated in a newly refurbished gallery space on Bruton Street in Mayfair, E&R Cyzer regularly exhibits work by...Read more
Sightseeing Galleries Tourist Attractions Explore London Mayfair
Hakkasan (Mayfair)
Hakkasan’s fine-dining Cantonese cuisine has placed the group at the forefront of modern Chinese restaurants It...Read more
Chinese Restaurants Bruton Street Mayfair Eating Restaurants Dim Sum Restaurants Michelin Star Restaurants 1 Michelin Star
Timothy Everest (Mayfair)
Timothy Everest, one of the most well known architects of the New Bespoke Movement, offers in his intimate and cosy...Read more
Mr Fogg's Residence
This discreet Mayfair house imagines the Victorian abode of Phileas J. Fogg Esq, housing all the peculiar and...Read more
Mount Street Printers And Stationers
Since 1981 Mount Street Printers have produced bespoke stationery in the heart of Mayfair. The location of our shop...Read more
Ronald Phillips
London's finest antiques dealers specialising in 18th and 19th century English furnishings. International collectors,...Read more
The Chesterfield
Enviably located in exclusive Mayfair, near to designer shopping and many of the city's most iconic attractions, the...Read more
Accommodation Hotels Charles Street Mayfair Approved Wedding Venues
Butlers Restaurant
Our warm and intimate Butlers Restaurant, famously the home of "the best Dover Sole in London", offers elegant dining...Read more
British Restaurants Charles Street Explore London Mayfair Eating Restaurants
Holistic Motions Personal Training
Holistic Fitness programs are provided by the world’s best coaches, who work exclusively with you. We deliver...Read more
Living Life Personal Trainers Hay Hill Explore London Mayfair
Gina Shoes
Synonymous with elegance and style, designer shoes, ladies shoes, designer ladies footwear, Rox, Zeta, Ivory silk...Read more
Mount Street Printers & Stationers
Our services include: Litho Printing,Full Colour Printing, Thermography, Hot Foiling, Die Stamping, Blind Embossing,...Read more
Udeshi Menswear
UDESHI was founded in 1999 to stem the decline in English bespoke tailoring and to move it forward to meet the...Read more
Dartmouth House
(Approved Wedding Venue)Read more
The Square
The reputation for food at The Square has been gained through delivery of pleasure through harmonious and classical...Read more
Eating Restaurants French Restaurants Thai Restaurants Bruton Street Mayfair Michelin Star Restaurants 1 Michelin Star
The Guinea Grill
The Guinea is a traditional Grill located in the heart of Mayfair. We serve premium Scotch beef in the Grill room as...Read more
Eating Restaurants British Restaurants Bruton Place Explore London Mayfair
Coach & Horses (Bruton Street)
The Coach and Horses’ beautiful exterior stain glass windows marks this pub as one that is hard to miss. The pub was...Read more
Crussh (Green Park)
1998. Back before the Euro was born, when Bill Clinton was engaging in questionable activity in the White House and...Read more
Eating Take Away & Delivery Curzon Street Explore London Mayfair
Aubaine (Dover Street)
Aubaine is a true blend of cosmopolitan style and French cuisine. Combining the elegance of a Parisian salon with the...Read more
Eating Restaurants French Restaurants Dover Street Explore London Mayfair
The Punchbowl
As one of Mayfair’s oldest pubs, we know a thing or two about good food and wine and pride ourselves on offering a...Read more
Nightlife Gastro Pubs British Restaurants Eating Restaurants Farm Street Explore London Mayfair
Holland & Holland
Since 1835, the name Holland & Holland has been recognised as the benchmark of excellence throughout the world of...Read more
The Wren Press
The Wren Press is one of England's leading luxury stationers, offering everything from bespoke wedding invitations to...Read more
Map of Berkeley Square in London
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FAQs about Berkeley Square in London
Berkeley Square is located in the London district of Mayfair , one of the most exclusive districts in London.
The nearest tube station is Green Park.
"A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" is a romantic British popular song written in 1939 with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and music by Manning Sherwin about Berkeley Square in Mayfair .
The song was published in 1940, when it was first performed by Judy Campbell. In the same year it was also performed by both Ray Noble and then by Vera Lynn, whose version is the most well known.
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