On Zoom: An armchair tour of the historic district of Mayfair
Just north of Piccadilly, in the city of Westminster, is the historic district of Mayfair, now one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the world.
In this armchair tour, we’ll discover the humble early roots of this area and later its aristocratic appeal. We’ll visit famous gardens such as Berkeley Square and Grosvenor Square, see posh shops, private members’ clubs, beautiful buildings including stately Georgian townhouses, plenty of public art and many hidden corners.
As we duck in and out of alleyways and mews, we’ll discover some of the secrets behind the silk curtains and gilded shutters of Mayfair.
DOCUMENTS
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mr Ian Swankie
A Londoner with a passion for art and architecture, Ian is an official guide at Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Guildhall Art Gallery and St Paul’s Cathedral, and gives tours around each venue. He is also a qualified and active freelance London guide and leads regular tours for various corporations and organisations. Since 2012 he has led a popular weekly independent art lecture group in his home town of Richmond in West London. He is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars, one of the City livery companies.
OTHER EVENTS
Watts Gallery - Artists' village is a vibrant cultural hub devoted to the life and work of George Frederic Watts and his wife Mary
Czech emigrees, the Aschers, took London by storm after WWII using modern artists eg Matisse and Derain in their textiles.