19. Beadle about the Burlington Arcade
This is next to the Royal Academy of Arts and it is a really nice shopping arcade full of really really expensive shops. I thought I saw a pen in a stationers window for 2pounds 50 pence and luckily, before I went in and tried to buy it, I realised it was 250 pounds.
There is a nice map shop in there, but again, it was all ridiculous money, and there is a nice tea shop which I think I might be able to afford a cuppa in so I will go back and give it a try.
Apparently it is illegal to sing, whistle, carry large parcels, open umbrellas or hurry in the arcade - laws that were decided on in 1819 on its opening. There were beadles on duty to make sure that nobody did any of these terrible things, and they are still there today.(not the same ones). see 1st photo. There is also a shoe shine man.see 3rd photo.
wisty8golf
It's a great place.....One of the real treats in the Arcade is to have your shoes polished by the shoeshine boy. Also have a look at some of the prices in the antique Rolex shop