Top of the arcade shops
Angela Hale
Angela Hale’s romantic, whimsical costume jewellery is enough to make any girl swoon. Scattered around this elegant shop-boudoir of flowers, antique picture frames and ornate textiles are a huge range of feminine pieces and accessories. Her range of Edwardian and art deco-influenced bridal pieces is particularly impressive.
Angela Hale, 5 Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond St, W1 (020 7495 1920/ www.angela-hale.co.uk) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm.
Berk
No arcade should be without a cashmere shop and Berk is one of the best. Stocking famous brands such as John Smedley and Ballantyne, it has classic cashmere sweaters in a choice of 50 colours. Other luxury purchases include men’s leather coats with cashmere lining.
Berk, 6 & 46/49 Burlington Arcade,W1 (020 7493 1430) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm.
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Charbonnel et Walker
Established in 1875, Charbonnel makes some of the finest hot chocolate in the world, packaged in pretty trademark tins. Its individually wrapped chocolates are also divine.
Charbonnel et Walker, 1 Royal Arcade, W1 (020 7491 0939/www.charbonnel.co.uk) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.
Favourbrook Men’s Accessories
The large selection of cravats and embroidered silk waistcoats would go perfectly with the hand-tailored Nehru jackets and frock coats at Favourbrook’s main men’s shop on Jermyn Street; it adapts them for a more modern silhouette and style. The ladies’ shop is also in the Piccadilly Arcade and if you’re already gearing up for next year’s Ascot or similar, this is your place.
Favourbook Men’s Accessories, 19/21 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1 (Jermyn St shop 020 7491 2337/www.favourbrook.com) Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Wed 9.30am-6.30pm, Thur, Fri 9.30am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm.
Iconastas
This treasure trove of all things Russian is frequented by princes and paupers alike. The small shop brims over with an ever-changing stock of Russian art from ancient times up to lacquer boxes and communist pieces.
Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1 (020 7629 1433/www.iconastas.co.uk) Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 2-5pm.
Jeffery West
The Jeffery West partnership, purveyor of ‘idiosyncratic men’s footwear’, has only been in existence since the 1980s. But it’s earned its place with a great shop where pretty much everything is for sale and for its distinctive modern take on classic brogues and boots.
Jeffery West, 16 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1 (020 7499 3360/www.jeffery-west.co.uk) Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Thur until 7pm.
Nigel Milne
This posh but friendly shop on the corner of the Princes Arcade and Jermyn Street boasts a beautiful and unusual collection of jewellery and gifts. You can spend anything from £35 to £35,000 here. Most striking is the Pomellato collection, an Italian range that is only available in London. Gold-set with often uncut semi-precious stones, its look is rather medieval Medici.
Nigel Milne, 38 Jermyn St (corner of Princes Arcade), SW1 (020 7434 9343/www.nigelmilne.co.uk) Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm.
Ormonde Jayne
A tiny treasure of a perfumery owned and run by Linda Pilkington. Her eight exclusive fragrances are inspired by travels to Africa and the Far East: Ta’if, for instance, is named after a rose and town in Saudi Arabia. The eau de parfum spray is £54.
Ormonde Jayne, 12 Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond St, W1 (020 7499 1100/ www.ormondejayne.com) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.
Penfriend
Former Parker mechanic Ivan Mason founded his business in 1950. Still thriving, the Burlington Arcade shop provides a fantastic choice of fountain pens, some of them in rare colours and made from gold. It stocks a huge selection of nibs for each model and can recommend the right style for your particular handwriting. It will also repair your trusty old scribbler.
Penfriend, 34 Burlington Arcade, W1 (020 7499 6337/www.penfriend.co.uk) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-5.30pm.
Penhaligon’s
Penhaligon’s has been selling us its unique scents and bath goodies since 1870. The pedigree is as distinguished as it is long: it has two royal warrants, while Winston Churchill was a fan of Blenheim Bouquet, the scent originally created for the Duke of Marlborough. These days you can also buy baby gifts and silverware.
Penhaligon’s, 16/17 Burlington Arcade, W1 (020 7629 1416/ www.penhaligons. co.uk) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.
Pickett
Another gift shop with the emphasis on timeless luxury. Elegant photo frames in silver and albums in leather; a wonderful collection of antique board games, including a stunning leather backgammon board; semi-precious jewellery; and gloves.
Pickett, 32/33 & 41 Burlington Arcade, W1 (020 7493 8939/www.pickett.co.uk) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm.
Prestat
Stamped with the royal seal of approval, Prestat’s chocs come in trademark bright pink boxes and irresistible if slightly obscure flavours, including banoffee truffles and Earl Grey chocolate wafers.
Prestat, 14 Princes Arcade, SW1 (020 7629 4838/www.prestat.co.uk) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm.
Sandra Cronan
A specialist in Oriental pearls and sporting-themed antique jewellery (for the polo crowd), Sandra Cronan also sells a small but fine selection of antique costume jewellery. The prices may not be cheap, but her stock is stunning.
Sandra Cronan, 18 Burlington Arcade, W1 (020 7491 4851) Green Park tube. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm.
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2 comments
very good article on londons arcade , we took possesion of 2 units within the Royal Opera Arcade in december 2006 , and as you correctly comment , it was one of the least attractive arcades , however things have changed , why not come along as see for your selves ?
regards
Alan Roxborough
La Galleria , 30 Royal Opera Arcade
What a delightful look at this London institution, along with interesting and informative background information!