Built for Lord George Cavendish in 1819, Burlington Arcade remains one of London’s most quietly thrilling places to shop. The story goes it was commissioned to stop passersby lobbing oyster shells over the wall of his Piccadilly home — though the official line was rather more elegant: “for the sale of jewellery and fancy articles of fashionable demand, for the gratification of the public.”
Over two centuries later, not much has changed in spirit. The 196-yard glazed walkway, running between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens in the heart of Mayfair, is still patrolled by the Burlington Beadles — the world’s oldest and smallest private police force — in their Victorian frock coats, gold-buttoned uniforms, and top hats. They enforce a Regency-era code of conduct: no whistling, no hurrying, no carrying of open umbrellas. For the record, only three people have ever been granted a whistling exemption: Sir Paul McCartney, a child who got a good school report, and a three-time world whistling champion.
The arcade has evolved considerably in recent years under the ownership of the Reuben Brothers, who acquired it in 2018 and have repositioned it as one of the most compelling luxury retail destinations in London — drawing four million visitors annually. Alongside the long-established jewellers and silversmiths, you’ll now find flagship boutiques for some genuinely covetable brands. Here are the 10 best Burlington Arcade shops to visit right now.
1. Vilebrequin
French swimwear and resort brand Vilebrequin has been a Burlington Arcade fixture for years and still earns its place. Inspired by 1970s St Tropez, the label specialises in men’s swim shorts in bold prints and saturated colours — the kind of thing you buy once and wear for a decade. There’s a strong childrenswear line too, with matching parent-and-child prints that stop just short of embarrassing. A reliable choice if you’re heading somewhere warm and want to shop properly rather than panic-buying at the airport.
1 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Wed & Fri–Sun: 10am–6pm | Thu: 10am–7pm
2. Ladurée
The French patisserie that essentially invented the modern macaron has one of the most charming spots in the arcade — all gilded surfaces, marble, and small tables outside for anyone who wants to slow down over a coffee. The macarons come in a rotating seasonal selection of flavours and those pale-green boxes make excellent gifts (to others, or to yourself). As close as London gets to a slice of the Rue Royale.
17 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 8am–8pm | Sun: 11am–6pm
3. N.Peal
One of the arcade’s longest-standing tenants and, for our money, one of its best. N.Peal has been here since 1936, starting as a haberdashery before discovering Mongolian cashmere and never looking back. The Burlington Arcade flagship spans three floors across men’s, women’s, and homewares, and offers a bespoke service where pieces are hand-knitted to order. You may recognise their knitwear from a certain franchise — N.Peal is an official James Bond partner, with pieces worn on screen in Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die. Worth every penny.
Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 10am–6pm | Sun: 12pm–5pm
4. Church’s
One of Britain’s oldest heritage footwear brands, Church’s was founded in Northampton in 1873 and has been part of the Prada group since 1999. The arcade boutique carries its full range of Goodyear-welted shoes for men and women — hand-crafted at the original Northampton factory using techniques that haven’t changed much since the Victorian era. Among their notable clients: Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond. If you’re after one pair of shoes that will last fifteen years, start here.
58–59 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 10am–6:30pm | Sun: 11am–5pm
5. Penhaligon’s
The Penhaligon’s perfume house was founded in the 1860s on Jermyn Street and some of its original fragrances — Hammam Bouquet, Blenheim Bouquet — are still in production today, which tells you something about the quality of the work. The Burlington Arcade shop is among the best places in London to explore the full range, and the upstairs private salon offers a scent profiling service over a glass of champagne. Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.
16–17 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 9am–6pm | Sun: 12pm–6pm
6. Manolo Blahnik
The Burlington Arcade boutique — which opened in 2016 as the brand’s first new London store in 44 years — sits a short walk from the Blahnik studio on Old Burlington Street, making this one of those rare retail spots with genuine geographical logic. The shoes are displayed like sculpture, which is more or less what they are. A faux fireplace and upholstered stools keep things comfortable while you make your decision. The men’s boutique here is the only standalone Manolo Blahnik men’s store in the world.
32–33 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 10am–6pm | Sun: 12pm–5pm
7. Hancocks
Founded in 1849, Hancocks is one of the jewellers that defines what Burlington Arcade is for. The shop specialises in antique and vintage pieces alongside contemporary designs in gold, silver, and precious stones, and has a bespoke commission and gemstone sourcing service for those with something specific in mind. The window displays are curated with real precision — if you walk past without stopping to look, you’re doing it wrong.
52–53 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Fri: 10am–5:30pm | Sat: 11am–5pm | Closed Sunday
8. Crockett & Jones
Goodyear-welted English shoemaking at its most dependable. Crockett & Jones has been producing footwear in Northampton since 1879, and the Burlington Arcade boutique covers both men’s and women’s styles with the option to customise colour, material, and last. There’s also a repair service, because these are shoes built to last long enough to need one.
20–21 Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 9am–6pm | Sun: 11am–5pm
9. Strathberry
The Edinburgh-based leather goods brand that quietly became one of the most-talked-about British accessories labels of the past decade. Strathberry is known for its clean lines, meticulous construction, and signature bar-closure hardware — details that have made it a favourite with everyone from the Princess of Wales to Lady Gaga. The Burlington Arcade boutique is a proper flagship, conceived as an immersive extension of the brand’s aesthetic. If you haven’t picked one up yet, this is the place to do it.
Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 10am–6pm
10. Globe-Trotter
British luggage at its most stubbornly, magnificently traditional. Globe-Trotter has been making suitcases in England since 1897, using Vulcanised fibreboard construction and Victorian-era machinery that has barely been updated since. The Burlington Arcade flagship — the brand’s most prominent London retail space — covers the full range of cases, travel accessories, and limited-edition collaborations (the recent Globe-Trotter x 007 Thunderball collection sold out fast). Buy one and it’ll outlast most things in your life.
Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0QJ
Mon–Sat: 10am–6pm | Closed Sunday
Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington Arcade
Is Burlington Arcade free to enter?
Yes, completely free. Burlington Arcade is a public thoroughfare — you can walk the full length from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens without spending a penny. Obviously the shops inside are a different matter entirely.
Where is Burlington Arcade?
Burlington Arcade runs between 51 Piccadilly (northern entrance) and Burlington Gardens (southern entrance) in Mayfair, W1J. It sits directly alongside Bond Street, next to the Royal Academy of Arts. The nearest tube stations are Green Park (5 minutes’ walk) and Piccadilly Circus (7 minutes’ walk).
What are Burlington Arcade’s opening hours?
The arcade itself is open Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 9am–7pm, and Sunday 11am–6pm. Individual boutique hours vary — see each shop listing above for specifics.
What are the rules in Burlington Arcade?
Burlington Arcade has enforced the same code of conduct since 1819. The Beadles — the arcade’s private police force — will politely but firmly remind you if you: whistle, hum or sing; run or walk at speed; carry an open umbrella; ride a bicycle; or behave boisterously in any way. The no-whistling rule dates back to Regency-era pickpockets using it as a signal. Three people have official whistling exemptions: Sir Paul McCartney, a schoolboy who earned it with a good report card, and a three-time world whistling champion.
Who are the Burlington Beadles?
The Burlington Beadles are the world’s oldest and smallest private police force, first established by Lord George Cavendish in 1819 from men in his regiment, the 10th Royal Hussars. They still patrol the arcade today in their full Victorian uniform — Savile Row frock coats, gold-braided top hats, and brass buttons — enforcing the arcade’s rules and acting as knowledgeable hosts for visitors. If you’re not sure where a particular boutique is, just ask one.
How many shops are in Burlington Arcade?
Around 47 boutiques, give or take. The original arcade had 72 units when it opened in 1819; many have since been combined into larger spaces. The current tenant mix covers luxury fashion, heritage footwear, fine jewellery, cashmere, leather goods, fragrances, luggage, art, and vintage watches.
Is Burlington Arcade dog-friendly?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the arcade itself. Whether individual boutiques allow dogs inside is at each shop’s discretion, so it’s worth checking before you wander in with a Great Dane.
When is the best time to visit Burlington Arcade?
Weekday mornings are the quietest — enter from the Piccadilly end before 11am and you’ll have the glazed walkway largely to yourself. Weekends, particularly Saturdays, can get busy with tourists. If you’re planning to actually go into shops rather than window browse, allow at least 45 minutes.
Burlington Arcade opening hours
Mon–Fri: 8am–7pm | Sat: 9am–7pm | Sun: 11am–6pm
The arcade runs between Piccadilly (northern entrance) and Burlington Gardens (southern entrance), alongside Bond Street. Nearest tube: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus.
