Berkeley Square

Berkeley Square is one of the best-known garden squares in London's West End. It sits in Mayfair, in the City of Westminster, and today it is a calm green pocket among elegant offices, galleries and former townhouses.

Where does the name come from?

The square is named after Berkeley House, the London residence of the Berkeley family, which stood on the site until 1733. Once the house was gone, the land was opened up for new development. The square was laid out in the 18th century to a design by the architect William Kent, a leading figure in British architecture and landscape design of his day. It originally extended further south than it does now.

What is there to see?

The main attraction is the group of London plane trees in the central garden. They are very large, and several are among the oldest trees in central London. They were planted in 1789, which means they are well over two hundred years old, and they form a dense, shady canopy above the paths. On a warm day it is hard to find a better place for a break between visits to the nearby shopping streets of Mayfair.

The buildings are worth a look too. Of the original 18th-century houses, only the west side survives intact. The east side was rebuilt in the 1930s, so the square mixes Georgian fragments with later architecture.

Why is the square so famous?

Berkeley Square became known far beyond London thanks to the 1939 song "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square". The song became a symbol of a romantic, nostalgic image of London on the eve of war, and it still shapes how people think of the name. The square is also linked with Gunter's Tea Shop, founded in 1757 under a different name and later famous for its ices and sorbets. The old tea shop is gone, but visitors can still take a snack and sit beneath the plane trees.

Practical tips

The square lies in the heart of London, in Mayfair, within walking distance of Piccadilly and Bond Street. It pairs well with a stroll through the surrounding Mayfair streets and squares. The garden is a place to pause rather than an all-afternoon attraction, so a short visit is usually enough. It looks best on bright days, when the light filters through the plane leaves.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Berkeley Square? In Mayfair, in the City of Westminster, in central London.

Who designed the square? The layout is attributed to the architect William Kent, and the square was laid out in the 18th century.

Where does the name come from? From Berkeley House, the Berkeley family residence that stood there until 1733.

How old are the plane trees? They were planted in 1789 and are among the oldest trees in central London.

Is this the square from the famous song? If you mean "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" from 1939, yes, it refers to this very square.