Mayfair, London - the UK -

Mayfair, a luxurious district in London, preserves the quintessence of British high tradition. Regarded as the city's most prestigious and desirous locale, it is held in high esteem by the upper class and royalty. Predominantly rural until the early 1700s, the area was famous for hosting the May Fair, which is currently known as Shepherd Market. It is now renowned for high-end tailoring, esteemed Gentleman's Clubs, and stores specializing in products associated with the British Royal Family.


 

Transcript

00:04

See the River Thames flowing leisurely by, with Big Ben rising high up into the blue sky?

00:10

I am in London, England.

00:16

Today, I'm visiting Mayfair, an ultra upscale London district, where the essence of British exclusive high tradition lives on.

00:26

I'm looking forward to exploring this luxurious high end area of London.

00:36

I'll be taking the new Elizabeth line to my destination.

00:45

Opened in 2022, it's a popular new route that connects the airport with downtown London.

00:57

Ah, the Bond Street Station: the gateway to Mayfair!

01:04

Just look at this fabulous station!

01:09

Considered to be London's most exclusive and sought-after district, Mayfair is a place where many fine old traditions can be found.

01:19

This is exciting! I wonder who I will meet today!

01:26

It's now eleven o'clock in the morning.

01:34

Ah, there's a plaza in front of the station.

01:36

And just look at the magnificent buildings.

01:49

And though I am right in the middle of London, this area is full of greenery, and the atmosphere is so elegant.

02:03

Let me check my map: I left the station, and now I'm here.

02:09

Mayfair is close to Buckingham Palace and bordered by four wide streets.

02:14

I think I'll head over to Savile Row, which is famous for its traditional bespoke tailoring for men.

02:31

- Hi!
- Good morning!

02:41

This shop looks very elegant!

02:44

And the show windows are so stylish!

02:48

And this is New Bond Street.

02:52

There are so many flags on the buildings!

03:03

And they're bearing the names of famous brands from all over the world!

03:08

Certainly gives the neighborhood a high-class feel!

03:21

Huh? What is that man photographing?

03:25

Haha... Someone sitting on the bench?

03:28

Oh, bronze statues!

03:31

- Hello there!
- Okay.

03:34

- Those statutes...
- Sorry?

03:37

- are... who?
- Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, yes.

03:45

Ah, Roosevelt on the left, and Churchill on the right.

03:54

Ha, ha! You kissed him!

03:57

I think I'm stuck, now.

03:59

My bum's so big, I can't get out.

04:03

Do you need some help?

04:05

Ready? I've done it.

04:09

Whew, that's good. Nice talking with you!

04:11

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

04:13

- Bye!
- Have a nice day!

04:17

Hmm, I wonder why these statues are here.

04:25

Oh, there's a flower stand over there... maybe he knows.

04:33

Excuse me! Good morning!

04:36

Morning. How're you doing? You okay?

04:39

I'm curious about the statues on that bench: are they Roosevelt and Churchill?

04:44

So, when there was a war, and they apparently joined forces.

04:48

And the statue is actually called "Allies."

04:51

So they put this down here in 1995, I believe.

04:55

That's interesting! Did Churchill have a connection with Mayfair?

04:58

I thought he lived in Kensington, I believe, but if he lived around here, I bet, you know, he might have, as well.

05:06

History is interesting.

05:07

How long have you been in business here?

05:11

So we've... I think next year, I think I've worked out, it's been in my family for fifty years.

05:17

Wow! Fifty years! So, have you had any famous customers?

05:20

Haha, yeah, I figure we've served a few.

05:24

Yeah... We're not allowed to say much!

05:28

Like King Charles?

05:30

Very secretive.

05:32

So your shop is popular with the rich and famous...

05:36

Yeah, I've got to make one (bouquet) up now, give me two seconds, I'll get it all ready.

05:45

He seems to be really busy!

05:49

Grandad has always taught me, he said: always buy the best flowers, no matter what the price is.

05:54

That makes sense, if you're just sitting and pleasing discerning customers.

05:59

What a beautiful bouquet!

06:02

You always gotta have the best stuff, because, as you said, we're in the best street.

06:05

Yeah, right?

06:07

See you later. Have a nice rest of your day. Bye!

06:10

Thank you. Goodbye!

06:17

Interesting that Winston Churchill once lived in Mayfair!

06:29

And here I am on a main street.

06:34

This street is also lined with magnificent buildings.

06:51

Oh look, what's this?

06:58

Oh, I see! A shopping arcade.

07:04

It's a massive building with a real sense of history.

07:11

Ha! The inside is also very impressive!

07:18

Oh, those gentlemen are very interestingly dressed.

07:23

- Hello!
- Hello. How are you, sir?

07:26

I'm doing well, thank you!

07:28

The history of this arcade appears to be impressive.

07:32

Yes, we opened to the public on the 20th of March 1819, so we're 204 years old now.

07:38

It goes back that far!

07:41

May I ask what kind of work do you do?

07:45

I'm the head beadle here, at the Burlington Arcade.

07:48

You use the term "beadle?"

07:50

Haha, we do, sir, we're called "beadles."

07:53

Beadles have been in existence for hundreds of years.

07:57

Before we had any recognized police force here in the UK,

08:00

the local church or the local landowner would employ beadles to keep order and collect fines.

08:07

Ah, so you're a police force of sorts?

08:11

I must say, your uniforms are very impressive.

08:15

My uniform I'm wearing today was designed by Henry Poole, the oldest tailor shop on Savile Row.

08:22

How very Mayfair! Do they ask you to maintain your figure?

08:27

It's written into my contract. Haha...

08:30

Haha, what a great response!

08:34

Thank you for talking with me!

08:36

- That's okay. Enjoy your stay in London.
- Goodbye!

08:45

Here's a shop that sells glassware.

08:51

And here's one that specializes in gloves.

08:54

They all look so expensive!

09:02

Ah! A shoeshine stand.

09:09

Wow, he really knows how to polish shoes.

09:15

- Sorry, I had nicked it there.
- That's OK, that's OK.

09:19

- Scratches again.
- That's ok, it does look like polishing might try to fix it.

09:24

He seems to have a great rapport with his customer.

09:29

- Hello!
- Hello!

09:32

- Hello to you, too!
- Hi.
- Hello.

09:36

How long have you had this shoeshine stand?

09:39

You're incredibly skillful!

09:42

Thank you. I've been here for 22 years.

09:47

That's a long time! Lots of fans here in Mayfair, I bet.

09:51

I come here at least four times a week.

09:55

Uh... mainly for the shoeshine, and the coffee.

09:59

The coffee's also very good.

10:01

Four times a week?!

10:03

How much is a shoeshine?

10:06

A shoeshine starts from eight pounds.

10:09

So a normal shoe shine is eight pounds.

10:11

And for the half-boots, it's an extra pound.

10:15

Eight pounds, or about ten US dollars.

10:18

And he gets a shine four times a week...

10:21

Excuse me. Might I ask what you do for a living?

10:26

I have a shop selling cigars.

10:33

I sell these, but more important, I smoke them.

10:38

- Very stylish!
- Thank you.

10:43

But doesn't it rain some of the days you come here?

10:47

If it's properly polished... that's one of the reasons for having it properly polished, so it resists the rain.

10:54

It's not only the shoeshine that he does very well: he does it with love, haha.

11:01

Mr. Edmund is one of our very loyal customers, and we've become good friends over the years.

11:07

Uh... he's a father figure to me.

11:09

You guys are great, thank you!

11:12

- You're welcome.
- Thank you, it was a pleasure to meet you.

11:14

- Arigato!
- Enjoy your stay in London.

11:17

- Bye now!
- Thank you.

11:23

Interesting to have a customer who becomes a father figure!

11:30

Because this is an upscale area, I thought the people would be a bit snobbish, but they appear to be very friendly.

11:48

Ah, that white building under the bright blue sky is so picturesque!

12:00

Ah, a men's clothing store.

12:04

And the sign says "Savile Row!"

12:10

This is the neighborhood I was looking for.

12:18

They say that "sebiro," the Japanese word for "business suit," comes from the name "Savile Row."

12:29

- Hello!
- Hello. Hi.

12:31

- Are you shopping?
- We are. My wife's bought me a suit from here.

12:36

So, my first ever Savile Row suit, so I'm quite excited.

12:40

The first time in your life?

12:43

It's my 70th birthday.

12:45

Haha, you're supposed to say I don't look seventy, haha.

12:49

Haha, you don't look seventy! But what a great present!

12:54

He's always wanted it... I think it's every man's dream, isn't it?

12:57

To have a made-to-measure suit, that really fits beautifully...

13:02

What kind of suit did you order?

13:05

Dark navy-blue classical suit, like Prince Charles would wear, haha.

13:10

- Or King Charles, haha.
- Or King Charles, rather, King Charles, yeah!

13:13

I'm sure it's a fine suit worthy of a king.

13:17

- Thank you. Cheers!
- Goodbye!

13:23

So, having a suit made on Savile Row is every man's dream...

13:28

Now, I really want to check this place out!

13:36

Which shop should I choose?

13:45

This one has a coat of arms on its window.

13:53

Could this be...?

13:59

I'm a bit nervous, but I'm going to "man up" and check it out!

14:08

Just look at how elegant this shop is!

14:17

- Excuse me!
- Good morning.

14:21

- Are you the owner?
- I am, I am. How can I help you?

14:26

I saw the coat of arms on your window, and I'm interested in understanding what that means.

14:32

- Well, they're called warrants.
- Oh?

14:35

So in 1865, Queen Victoria passed on her decree that we would be making her uniforms for the household.

14:43

In fact, we'll be doing those for the coronation.

14:45

So, you'll see lots of them ready for King Charles.

14:48

So that's how long you've been a trusted tailor to the Crown. Wow!

14:55

When was this shop established?

14:57

Well, this company goes back to 1806.

15:01

It was founded by James Poole, who was a tailor who came down from Shropshire.

15:08

And with his son, Henry Poole, they bought their first premises in Savile Row.

15:14

And that's making it the first tailor here in Savile Row, under his son's name, Henry Poole.

15:19

Amazing! You've been in business for more than 200 years.

15:24

Tell me about bespoke!

15:27

So for example, it's a very natural shoulder line, it follows the contour of your shoulder, we don't tend to build you up.

15:34

Although if you need building up, we will build you up.

15:36

There's many sides to a cut, that will give you a balanced look, hiding what proportionally we are odd in.

15:46

But that's the beauty of bespoke, and that's why business goes on and on, because nobody is the same and we try to make it perfect.

15:54

Fascinating! But it must be expensive.

15:58

So generally, on the whole, the starting price is around 6,000 pounds.

16:02

But, you know, that's about seventy hours of hand work.

16:06

And of course, you know, it does last for about twenty years.

16:09

Six thousand pounds? That's about 7,300 US dollars!

16:15

The price you pay for hand-crafted quality, I guess.

16:20

Let me take you to a special room. This way.

16:24

A special room? Where is he taking me?

16:32

Look at all the tailors at work!

16:37

So this is quite a special area.

16:40

This is our... archive room.

16:43

But it's been about a ten-year project.

16:46

This is very intriguing!

16:51

As you can see, a little bit of security.

16:56

All right. Come on through.

17:03

Wow! What is all this?

17:08

We made a full archive of all our customers, which is quite unique,

17:11

because our archive really is the only archive of a full extent, from 1846 to present day of customers.

17:18

Showing what they ordered...

17:20

Incredible! A real treasure passed down through the generations!

17:27

So, my first one, obviously very much of a British gentleman, quite well known, a very big customer of Henry Poole,

17:34

and came to us in 1936 as a very young man, but you might recognize the name, of course, Sir Winston Churchill.

17:43

Ah, Prime Minister Churchill! I just saw his bronze statue on the bench!

17:48

This is a black jacket and trousers, and plus twos, plus twos here, that's what he have here.

18:00

Fascinating!

18:01

With his many cigars he used to come in, and also alterations, shall we say, or adjustments.

18:08

But there was always little cigars left in his pockets, that we had to take out before we cleaned them.

18:14

So he didn't just order new suits, but brought things in to be refitted and cleaned?

18:20

He did spend a fair bit of money, I must say.

18:23

But to be fair on Sir Winston, with my grandfather in his last years, especially for the coronation,

18:29

he brought a lot of suits back to renew and spruce up, because of Queen Elizabeth and her coronation itself.

18:39

So having a suit made is only the first step?

18:44

And I just love seeing the feeling that you meet someone with an essential idea of what a suit should feel, but the experience he's never had.

18:53

And once you've had that experience, and show something from creation to finished article, and feel the difference,

18:59

and see the relationship you can build over the years, and develop their wardrobe and functionality of it,

19:05

that to me is an enjoyable business; and that's what you love.

19:11

- Thank you so much!
- And enjoy the rest of Mayfair.

19:15

- Take care. Bye-bye!
- Bye!

19:26

Tailors who provide the very best clothing and service, and customers who understand their value.

19:34

I suppose it's a connection that can only be found in an upscale district like Mayfair.

19:52

Hello, my name is Stephanie, and I work at Altea gallery, an antique map shop in Mayfair.

19:56

I'm going to show you some of Mayfair's unique history.

20:05

You can actually see Mayfair on the map here, where it was mostly rural, with no buildings whatsoever; it was a lush wetland.

20:11

In 1666, London was hit by a great fire, and people began to move west into Mayfair.

20:17

The name "Mayfair" originates from an actual fair, that was held here every year in May, in the late 17th century.

20:24

It was held here, in the vicinity of Shepherd's Market.

20:28

Because it was held every year in May, the area became known as "Mayfair," meaning regular market in May.

20:38

At that time, Mayfair was a community of commoners.

20:41

It was Sir Thomas Grosvenor, a local aristocrat, who was responsible for transforming it into an upscale area.

20:50

In 1677, Sir Thomas Grosvenor married the daughter of a landowner who had substantial holdings in Mayfair.

20:57

He took advantage of the property they inherited, and began to develop the town, building homes for the wealthy.

21:05

By the end of the 18th century, the area had been transformed into an exclusive residential area, favored by nobility and renowned personalities.

21:15

Famous residents included the German composer George Frederic Handel, the Irish writer Oscar Wilde, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

21:28

Speaking of people who come from Mayfair, there's one person we really shouldn't miss out.

21:33

On the 21st of April 1926, the late Queen herself was born here on 17 Bruton Street.

21:42

Yes, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

21:45

She wasn't born at the palace or in a hospital, she was born at the home of her grandparents, who lived in Mayfair.

21:53

At the site, a plaque commemorates the Mayfair birthplace of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

22:03

Mayfair, beloved by noblemen and royalty.

22:09

Well, enjoy the rest of your walk around Mayfair, and discovering the unique charms of Great Britain.

22:17

It's one o'clock.

22:21

Let me check the map.

22:24

After meeting the florist near the Churchill sculpture, I visited the arcade and the tailor...

22:29

and now I'm here.

22:33

I think I'll walk around one of Mayfair's most famous roads, Mount Street.

22:44

Huh? This looks like a park.

22:54

That grass looks so green and fresh.

23:02

According to the guidebook, this is Grosvenor Square, which was the center of the Grosvenor family's project to develop Mayfair.

23:17

So this is the very spot where one of London's most exclusive residential areas got its start.

23:33

Even today, the luxurious brick-and-stone buildings lining the streets are wonderfully magnificent.

23:45

There aren't many shops around here.

23:47

I guess these are all residences?

23:53

I think I'll ask that man up there.

23:56

- Excuse me.
- Hello. What are you up to?

24:02

Can you tell me about these amazing buildings?

24:08

Well, uh, you've got... these are private houses, they're all owned by unknown oligarchs.

24:16

And you've got Claridge's, you know Claridge's Hotel next door, which is one of the leading hotels in London, one of the earliest hotels.

24:27

There's a flag on this building; is it an embassy?

24:32

No, we're not an embassy; we're a private members' club, one of the original gentlemen's clubs.

24:40

And, we've been here since 1868.

24:46

A gentlemen's club?

24:49

Gentlemen's club, well the membership is for men only.

24:52

Historically it's been like that since the... it's male membership only.

24:58

Although ladies can come in as guests.

25:03

- Are you a member?
- No, I work here.

25:07

I'm the manager of the club, I work here.

25:10

And I manage it on behalf of the members.

25:13

Oh, really? Is there any chance I could see the inside?

25:19

How can I say no? You're so graceful and you've come all this way.

25:23

I'd be delighted to. Okay, c'mon through.

25:27

Lucky me! I guess it always pays to ask.

25:36

My goodness! This is so gorgeous!

25:41

The building was originally a family house.

25:44

J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, that family.

25:47

The original building goes back to 1740.

25:51

And everything you see here is literally as it was 155 years ago.

25:58

Just look at how incredible this place is.

26:02

That family must have been so rich.

26:06

What is this room for?

26:09

It's really an extension of the bar.

26:12

And all the portraits up here are members, previous members of the club.

26:18

Not current members; these are all the great and the good of the literary world, the musical world...

26:24

we've got media, theatrical, film...

26:29

That is quite a prestigious group.

26:34

They're called "Savilians," the name is "Savile Club."

26:39

Savile Club is the name from its first... first premises was in Savile Row.

26:45

And a Savilian... you can characterize a Savilian as usually a very outgoing person, very friendly, hospitable, and usually fun.

26:56

So, you have to fit in here.

26:59

So the members deepen their ties to each other here at the club.

27:05

The most dangerous bar in London; let me show you.

27:09

The most dangerous bar in London!?

27:18

What's dangerous about it?

27:20

When I say it's dangerous, I don't mean... it's dangerous in fun.

27:24

It's the sort of bar... you come in here, and you have such a good time, that you never leave.

27:30

Sounds great! I wish I could be a member.

27:34

You pay a fee, yes, you pay a fee.

27:36

And uh... various fees...

27:38

The average fee is actually quite small.

27:40

So, the top whack is maybe 1,600 pounds or whatever it is.

27:45

So about 2,000 US dollars.

27:50

And can any man who pays the fee become a member?

27:54

Uh, you need a proposer, someone who knows you, who introduces you to the club.

28:00

He then brings that person in, to introduce them to other members.

28:07

So, you need the support of maybe a minimum of, say, six other members who have to write a letter of support.

28:14

Hmm, that's a pretty high bar.

28:23

Ah, look what we've got here.

28:27

I have three Savilians here, Exhibit A.

28:33

- Gentlemen.
- Ah!

28:35

Oh, these are members, huh?

28:36

I apologize for interrupting you.

28:39

Do you think they could have a chat with you for a while?

28:41

- Of course.
- Most certainly.

28:43

- Do have a seat.
- Thank you very much.

28:47

Please, you don't need to stand.

28:50

Fortunately I'm wearing my Japanese-carved reindeer horn cane, haha.

28:56

Well, we've just raised a toast for the arrival of spring; it's beautiful in Mayfair.

29:02

Champagne, now, that's classy!

29:04

And all of you are dressed so elegantly!

29:07

There's a standard, shall we say.

29:09

You're not actually required to wear a tie, but almost everybody does.

29:16

Yes, preferably with the right tailor.

29:20

May I ask what kind of work you do?

29:24

Well, I'm a journalist and playwright... and screenwriter; that's me.

29:34

Well, I'm a consultant physician and private GP.

29:38

I've been retired; I'm the eldest here, retired for a good number of years.

29:43

But I was in financial services, mainly in the City.

29:49

Did you all meet each other here at the club?

29:52

Well, we just meet by accident or by chance, we offer each other a drink...

29:59

So this is a place where gentlemen can gather socially.

30:02

- Very much.
- Yes, it's an oasis.

30:06

Yeah, I don't think that's representative.

30:08

We... there's interpenetrability between us and the surrounds.

30:17

It's just an oasis, a little paradise.

30:23

That's so fascinating.

30:25

- All right, very well.
- Thank you.

30:27

- Nice to see you. Bye-bye.
- Goodbye. Sorry to interrupt.

30:38

A gentlemen's club with a history of more than 150 years.

30:45

Mayfair seems like the perfect neighborhood for such an institution, doesn't it?

30:59

This is a beautiful part of town.

31:03

And the pedestrians are also stylish, too.

31:15

Let me check the guidebook again.

31:18

Mount Street was developed by the Grosvenor family in the 19th century.

31:24

The buildings are influenced by the Queen Anne style of architecture, that was popular in England at the time.

31:31

Prime Minister Winston Churchill once lived here also.

31:37

It's wonderful that buildings with such a long history still exist.

31:56

This looks like a residential area.

32:01

Hmm, the flowers decorating the street add to the elegance.

32:14

What's that shop over there?

32:19

Ah, look at the flowers gracing that doorway.

32:27

What's that decoration in the window?

32:32

Elizabeth II!

32:38

I wanna take a look inside.

32:45

Oh, it's a café, and it's so chic!

32:51

I wonder if this is new.

32:56

- Hello!
- Hello.

32:58

How long has this café been a business?

33:00

It's been nearly three years now, yeah.

33:03

I noticed the Queen in your window.

33:05

Well, one reason for sure is that we're "Queens of Mayfair."

33:09

So it's kind of dedicated to the Queen as well.

33:11

But you can get more information by the owner.

33:14

She's actually here today, over there.

33:17

Thank you, I think I'll go and talk with her.

33:29

There's Queen Elizabeth on the wall as well.

33:37

I wonder who's the owner...

33:43

I'll ask her.

33:45

- Hello!
- Hi, there.

33:48

Are you the owner?

33:49

Yeah, I'm Grace, the owner of "Queens of Mayfair."

33:53

I heard you opened about three years ago.

33:56

Both my sister and I, it's female-founded... it's a family-owned business, funded by ourselves.

34:02

Huh? You and your sister?

34:04

Yes; Mayfair is dominant with a male customer, and we definitely knew that that was our audience when we first opened, it's male-dominated.

34:13

However, we definitely have seen an increase of women coming in, to not only celebrate women owners and support women owners,

34:20

we've definitely seen a female audience, as well.

34:25

Oh, yes, I can definitely see that there are a decidedly female client here.

34:32

- And there, our lovely customers.
- Haha.

34:36

Hello, I'm sorry to bother you.

34:39

Do you do your work here?

34:42

I do, yes; I have a tailoring business on Savile Row, called "Banshee of Savile Row," and we do women's-only tailoring.

34:51

That's wonderful!

34:53

Actually, I was just looking through my fabrics here.

34:56

This is kind of, you know, women can come in and choose any of these fabrics.

35:01

I'm actually wearing my own work at the moment.

35:04

Wow! Would you mind standing up and showing us?

35:07

Yes, I could do that, absolutely!

35:17

Very nice!

35:18

I've got flared trousers, and yeah, just a little suit.

35:22

And then, I have silk inside in the lining.

35:26

And then we use horn buttons, as well.

35:30

So Savile Row also has tailors who cater to women.

35:35

I started working on Savile Row eight years ago, and there was literally nothing for women on the street.

35:42

I wanted to use silk inside the suits, and the men on Savile Row just thought I was completely crazy.

35:50

And I went: well no, women... we like things, soft fabrics, and they were kind of second-guessing.

35:56

Would they not normally put silk in, or is it?

35:58

Uh, no, they wouldn't.

36:00

- I think it looks fantastic!
- Thank you!

36:03

You want to become the queens of Mayfair, right?

36:07

- Absolutely!
- Yes, I love that!

36:09

- A pair of queens.
- Excellent!

36:12

Thank you for talking with me.

36:14

- Thanks, bye!
- Goodbye!

36:23

While Mayfair's long-standing traditions, established by gentlemen, continue to hold strong,

36:29

the emergence of a vibrant new culture, with the active participation of women, is becoming an integral part of the community.

36:48

Hi everyone, my name is Joao Rocha; I live and work locally.

36:52

Today we're here in Mayfair and we have... as you can see, have a selection of amazing shops,

36:57

and many of them got Royal Warrants, so I'll pick up three shops today I really recommend you come and visit.

37:04

First, a sweet shop that was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth.

37:09

Here they have the most wonderful chocolates, all these bite-sized chocolates, so perfectly displayed; and they're beautiful.

37:17

Two women, one English and one French, established this shop in 1875.

37:23

The delicious taste of the chocolate, as well as the beautiful packaging, attracted the upper class in England.

37:33

The shop was granted a Royal Warrant in 1970 by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

37:39

It continues to be a favorite among those with discriminating palates in Mayfair.

37:45

Our next stop is this bookshop, which has been in business for more than 80 years.

37:51

In 2011, it was also granted a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II.

37:58

Here you'll find rare editions of books by famous British authors, that you probably won't find in any other bookstores in the world,

38:05

including antique volumes written by some of Britain's most famous authors.

38:15

For example, here's a first edition of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," published in 1838.

38:25

Here's a book I would recommend, "The House of Pomegranates" by Oscar Wilde.

38:30

It's such a beautiful book; it was published over 100 years ago.

38:36

In addition, here's a two-volume set: "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll.

38:43

These were published in 1872, and are first editions.

38:52

All of these are one-of-a-kind items, and discovering treasures like these is a popular pastime among residents of Mayfair.

39:03

And our last shop was granted a Royal Warrant from King Charles, back when he was still a prince.

39:12

It's a family-run print shop, that's been operating for more than 40 years.

39:18

They offer different kinds of stationery, including patterns and illustrated designs created in-house.

39:26

Their customized letter sets and postcards are especially popular.

39:34

Once the design is decided upon with a graphic designer, the design is printed in-house, using printing presses that are over 100 years old.

39:44

If the customer desires it, the shop will provide a handwritten message as well.

39:51

Here I have something I ordered especially for you:

39:54

"Welcome to Mayfair;" it's a message from me to you.

40:00

Being world famous as purveyors of goods of the highest quality, please drop in when you're in London,

40:05

and I'm sure you will find that wonderful presence you've always been looking for.

40:13

It's 5:30 PM.

40:17

Now let's see... where am I?

40:19

I visited the gentlemen's club, went to where Churchill once lived on Mount Street, and met the women who own a café and a tailor shop.

40:29

And now I'm here.

40:34

This area has a slightly different atmosphere.

40:38

I think I'll check it out.

40:48

Look at all those restaurants in that alley.

40:54

This area doesn't look so elite, it's rather ordinary.

41:09

Oh! There's an art gallery here!

41:16

I think I'll ask that woman there.

41:20

- Excuse me...
- Oh, hello. How are you?

41:25

Hello. I was noticing that this area seems a bit different from all the fancy buildings in other parts of Mayfair.

41:34

Yeah, this is Shepherd's Market; it's the oldest part of Mayfair.

41:37

Mayfair is named after the May Fair, which is a very long, long time ago.

41:44

So there actually was a market here, right?

41:48

If I might ask, what brings you here today?

41:52

Oh, I'm having a naughty little Guinness here, as I wander around and get some inspiration for my own works.

41:58

Your works?

42:00

Well, I'm a singer and I'm an artist; I write songs and I put on exhibitions.

42:04

So, this is a little one of my drawings.

42:07

And uh, but yeah, so, it's great to come here, and it's nearby, and I can just get some ideas and inspiration.

42:16

- You live near here?
- I live very near. I live in Mayfair.

42:22

You do? You live in Mayfair?

42:25

It's an amazing place.

42:27

You're the first resident I've met.

42:29

And I'd love to see what kind of place you live in.

42:32

You are asking the right person!

42:34

I love people, and I'm always meeting people, so you're absolutely welcome.

42:37

I live so close! Come and join me.

42:41

What? Really? I would love to!

42:48

I love these rows of brick buildings.

42:52

- This is all residential.
- I see.

43:05

And here we are.

43:09

I think it's 1876, roughly.

43:13

It does have a historic feel, doesn't it?

43:18

- Come into my little palace.
- Haha, thank you!

43:25

And welcome to my kitchen.

43:33

I can picture you sitting by the window, enjoying the view as you draw.

43:41

And this is... the music room.

43:46

I have lived here for 30 years.

43:49

It's a tidy little space, that's like a treasure chest full of art and music and... a lifetime of work.

44:01

How lovely!

44:04

It seems that Mayfair is an easy place for artists to live.

44:09

It's not just billionaires; I'd love to be a billionaire, or pretend I'm a billionaire,

44:13

but there's a lot of billionaires, but... there's not just billionaires living here.

44:19

There's all kinds... wonderful people... from all around the world.

44:23

I see.

44:25

Yeah! We're going to have a little party on the roof, so why don't you come on up?

44:30

A rooftop party!? I'd love to!

44:46

Wow! Look at all the plants!

44:52

Here's the roof; as you can see it's incredibly green and... a blackbird.

44:59

It really is an oasis in the city.

45:09

- Hello!
- Hello! Look, we have some friends from Japan!

45:16

Hello! Sorry to intrude.

45:20

- Cheers!
- Kanpai!

45:22

- Cheers!
- Cheers, cheers!

45:29

To the moon!

45:35

Do you all live in Mayfair?

45:37

- We live in Mayfair.
- We do, we live in the next block.

45:40

So during Covid, Lucinda would be on this roof, and Rebecca and I would be on that roof, and we'd wave.

45:48

You know, doing exercises here... would do them together.

45:51

I've got lots of lovely photographs of us doing our exercises early in the morning.

45:56

We even tried quizzes at one point, you know we were like, "Sorry, what was that?"... haha.

46:02

It's nice to have friendly neighbors, eh?

46:05

We have a lot of fun here and... yeah, it's about having a good life, and having a balanced life.

46:12

It's not always about having lots and lots of money, or the latest Gucci outfit, you know?

46:19

Or just occasionally...

46:20

- Do you have a Gucci outfit?
- Darling... Ha, ha!

46:26

Adventure... why?

46:29

Because I'm in the middle of a heartbeat in London, called Mayfair.

46:35

My adventures are connecting with people.

46:38

And I connect with so many different kinds of people, and they lead me into other worlds, other doorways.

46:45

So, musicians and artists, exhibitions, concerts, that's an adventure for our ears, our senses, and that's in the city.

46:55

It's not going snowboarding or, you know, rafting, or something, it's an adventure with time...

47:01

in the city center, through connecting with other people.

47:06

A life adventure, huh?

47:09

- Thank you.
- Thank you for joining us!

47:12

- Thank you! Bye!
- Goodbye!

47:24

Mayfair, in the heart of the city.

47:29

People with different tastes and concerns, valuing their connections with each other, and creating moments of joy together.

47:37

What could be better?

47:47

Ah, evening has come.

47:50

And just look at how many people come together to enjoy their city and its nightlife.

47:56

This has been a great day!

47:59

- Hello!
- Hi!

48:02

Hello!

48:04

- Lovely evening in Mayfair today.
- Yes, the night is just beginning.