Photo credit: © Alla Tsyganova/Shutterstock.com
This week, the London Post published an article on London’s hidden gems, which included our much-loved Shepherd Market.
Origins of Shepherd Market
Shepherd Market was established in the 1730s by local architect Edward Shepherd. It was developed on rural land which had been used since the 1600s for the May Fair.
The development included a market, a theatre, paved alleys and a duck pond, and shops and taverns were soon to follow.
In the 1940s, author and Hertford Street resident Robert Henrey described Shepherd Market as ‘a village in Piccadilly’ (in a book of the same name), a tribute to the local charm it still retains today.
The area is celebrated as one of the best-preserved areas of Georgian London.
Hertford Street
Established in the 1770s, Hertford Street is a quiet residential road linking Park Lane with Shepherd Market. Since its development, it has benefited from the amenities and village-like atmosphere of the area.
Now
Shepherd Market is a thriving and friendly community. Businesses include a fantastic variety of traditional pubs, restaurants, cafés, boutique shops, a post office and a pharmacy, and the iconic Curzon Mayfair cinema.
The London Post’s hidden gem
The London Post article explains: “The city’s most visible landmarks absorb attention and foot traffic, while quieter spaces operate in parallel. These places rarely announce themselves. They sit behind main roads, below street level, or inside patterns most people stop questioning.” This is certainly the case for Shepherd Market. Running parallel to bustling Piccadilly and just moments from the designer shops of Bond Street, it remains largely unknown but its loyal following is testament to its brilliance.
Your Hertford Street stay
Shepherd Market is a fabulous local hub enjoyed by our guests. From dining and nightlife to boutique shopping, everyday essentials and soaking up the local history, it offers everything you need.