Day 14: Burlington Arcade

Day 14 Burlington Arcade:

Another day another beautiful arcade. The Burlington Arcade is just across the road from The Piccadilly Arcade and sits next to The Royal Academy.  There is so much history wrapped up in these pretty London shopping arcades.

Burlington Arcade opened in 1819. It was commissioned by The Earl of Burlington as a safe place for his wife and other genteel folk to shop. At the time it was the notable place to shop for a bonnet. Jewellery stores and other fancy goods were the the other reason fashionable folk would visit Burlington Arcade

Today it remains one of the longest covered shopping arcades in Britain and is home to 46 exclusive boutiques. This remains a shopping venue of the highest class and a destination for unique luxury goods.

Burlington arcade is rather special because of the guards of the arcade known as the Beadles. The Beadles in their distinctive regency inspired uniform of top hat, tailcoat, waistcoat and highly polished shoes and buttons greet all visitors with a smile at both entrances to the arcade.  They are known as the smallest and oldest police force in Britain and continue to impose the laws laid down by the original Beadles.  The most notable one being no whistling, unless you are Sir Paul McCartney. However even he is not permitted to run, ride a bicycle or behave boisterously!

The festive season sees The Burlington Arcade dressed in its glitziest finest.  The inspiration for the installation this year is Babylon the movie starring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.  The decorations are gold and flamboyant and very shiny.  The stately elephant who appears to be making his way slowly along the arcade is certainly a talking point.

For some Chritmassy glitz, and glamourous window shopping, Burlington Arcade is the place to go.