Royal Arcade

Originally simply called "The Arcade", but since the shirtmaker H. W. Brettell was patronised by Queen Victoria, it was renamed as the "Royal Arcade".

He opened his shop at No 12 in 1880, a year after the arcade was built to connect Brown's Hotel to Bond Street.

It is the city’s oldest purpose-built shopping arcade.

The royal florist Edward Goodyear used to be located there but was bombed out during World War II and had to relocate.

Parts of Agatha Christie's Poirot episode The Theft of the Royal Ruby were filmed there. The Arcade also appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Parent Trap.

With its saddled glass roof, richly decorated stucco arches, curved glass window bays and elegant Ionic columns, it was the epitome of Victorian design. The arcade has changed little in the intervening 136 years and retains all its original features. As such, it is a rare opportunity to experience a genuine Victorian arcade is it was intended.

The arcade is hugely popular with shoppers throughout the year, but especially so at Christmas when its impressive architecture makes for a stunning setting for its Christmas decorations.

Coordinates: 51.509137 -0.14141570

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