Burlington Arcade from the Burlington Gardens entrance - Note on the right hand side the Beadle wearing a top hat

One of the pleasures of visiting London is constantly discovering new unexpected things. This week Julie Chandler and I met up to visit the Richard Rogers Inside Out exhibition at the Royal Academy. We were directed at the ticket desk to walk through Burlington Arcade to get to the exhibition hall. As we're both Westminster Guides we're very familar with the Arcade but we were delighted to discover that a new carpet been fitted with a rather unique and interesting design.

Burlington Arcade is a delightful shopping centre which runs from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens. It was opened in 1819 and was one of the Britain’s first shopping arcades. It was originally built for Lord George Cavendish who lived in Burlington House and which today is home of the Royal Academy of Arts. It was designed by Samuel Ware and it is said that it was built in an attempt stop the hoi polloi from throwing rubbish, such as oyster shells and apple cores, into Cavendish’s garden.   

Walking through Burlington Arcade is like stepping back in time. The elegant glass covered walkway, home to about 70 shopping units selling luxury goods, remains virtually unchanged since it was originally opened. The arcade has its own security guards, know as Beadles, instantly recognizable by the traditional Edwardian frock coats and the gold braided top hats that they wear. Originally recruited from Cavedish’s own family regiment the 10^th Hussars, they are still maintaining order in the arcade based on his original code of conduct which prohibits amongst other things whistling, singing and carrying of large parcels.

Arriving at Burlington Arcade we discovered a 590f/ 180m long bespoke carpet spanning the length of the shopping arcade and depicting 92 of the world’s most iconic buildings. Its contemporary design incorporates world famous landmarks both old and new. It's great fun to walk down the arcade trying to identify as many buildings as one can. We had to confess it was harder than we first thought. Also within the pattern there are three special features worth looking out for. As I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone planning to visit I won't say any more about this until the end of my blog.

 Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge, Australia

The carpet which highlights the best in British design and craftmanship, is a collaboration between Linley, a furniture and interior design company, and Brintons Carpets, a Royal Warrant holding carpet manufacturers, who also created the beautiful carpet for the grand staircase at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

 Russia includes St Basil’s Cathedral & Ostankino TV Tower

The carpet was unveiled in June 2013 and is on display for a limited time only. When we spoke to one of the very helpful Beadles he was unable to confirm exactly how long it would be on display for. However he did informed us that the carpet is cleaned each evening, is which nothing less than what we would expect from such a distinguished establishment. 

 India includes the Taj Mahal and the Gateway to India & Imperial Tower in Mumbai

 Reichstag & Fernsehturm TV Tower in Berlin

China includes Yellow Crane Tower Hubei, Shanghai World Financial Centre & Forbidden City in Beijing

 South America includes Cathedral of Brasilia & Torre Monumental Buenos Aires in Argentina

 North America West includes CN Tower & Space Needle

Burj Alarab Dubai & Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi 

London includes The Shard, Royal Albert Hall, The Gherkin, St Paul’s Cathedral & London Eye

SPOILER ALERT

Earlier in this blog I mentioned that there are three special features to look out for. If you would prefer not to know what they are then please don't read any further.

King Kong on New York’s Empire State Building

Hidden within the design of the carpet are three famous figures.

Mary Poppins flying over Tower Bridge

The hardest to find is Quasimodo in Paris

For more information about the Burlington Arcade and its opening times visit their website

The author of this blog is a qualified City of London and City of Westminster Tour Guide who leads guided walks combining world famous landmarks with hidden treasures often missed by the crowds.

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