In Focus – Belgrave Square

Hyde Park Corner Underground station, London (outside exit 3)

Guided by Stephanie

Streets Ahead! More trail blazing by the best urban walking tour guides on the planet. In Focus walks are an extremely detailed look – "what I love about London Walks is the degree of granularity you get" (as that American visitor memorably put it) – at the most famous streets and squares of London. And their tributaries. This In Focus walk explores Belgrave Square, past and present. Ah, Belgrave Square, the central square of the grandest district in London. Remarkable for its grandeur – the word more than bears repeating – and sense of unity. And because so much has survived intact. Residences of the very highest quality. Royalty. The steepest upper slopes of this country's class system. And because every wealthy street and square in 19th century London had its shadow – well, lets just say, we'll see it whole. See the grandeur, yes – but also get around behind it, see what made the grandeur possible. What else? Try Embassy Land. And try where the twain began to converge that now cold currents thrid and turn to rhythmic tidal  lyres.* And we'll understand how it is that it can be so central but such a latecomer (given that the general rule of thumb is the more central a neighbourhood is the older it is). This In Focus walk has been created and is curated (guided) by by top flight Blue Badge guide Stephanie, our Belgravia specialist.  *Over the mirrors meant to glass the opulent the sea-worm crawls – grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent.