Charles Street, Mayfair facts for kids

The Only Running Footman, a public house in Charles Street

Charles Street is a well-known street located in the Mayfair area of London, England. It's famous for its historic buildings and interesting past. Many of the buildings along this street are very old and have special protection due to their importance in London's history.

Where is Charles Street?

Charles Street is in the central part of Mayfair, a rather grand district in London. It runs mostly from the west, starting near Waverton Street, and goes towards the east, ending at Berkeley Square. The street curves a little bit northward in the middle.

A Look Back in Time: Charles Street's History

This street gets its name from a member of the Berkeley family, who owned the land here a long time ago. Charles Street was built when Lord Berkeley's large estate was developed. Most of the houses and buildings you see on the street today were constructed between about 1745 and 1750. A skilled carpenter named John Phillips was a main builder for many of these properties. Today, many of these old buildings are officially "listed" by Historic England, which means they are protected because of their historical importance.

Famous People Who Lived Here

Blue plaque to the 5th Earl of Rosebery in Charles Street

Over the years, several notable people have called Charles Street home.

• Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery: A very important person, he was born at 20 Charles Street in 1847. He later became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, which is the head of the government.
• Claude Watney: He was another resident of 20 Charles Street in the early 1900s.

Special Old Buildings: Listed Buildings

Many buildings on Charles Street are "listed." This means they are officially recognized as important historical or architectural sites. They are protected to make sure they are preserved for the future. There are different levels of listing:

• Grade II: These buildings are of special interest and are protected. Most listed buildings are Grade II.
• Grade II*: These are particularly important buildings of more than special interest.

Here are a few examples of the many listed buildings on Charles Street:

• 2 Charles Street: This three-storey house was built in the 1700s. It's a Grade II listed building.
• 6 Charles Street: This four-storey house, built around 1753, has fancy Doric columns on its porch. It's also Grade II listed.
• 22 Charles Street: This three-storey house, built around 1753 by William Timbrell and John Phillips, is a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's especially important.
• 28 Charles Street (Crewe House): This is a large, detached mansion built in 1730. It's a Grade II* listed building.
• 37 and 38 Charles Street: These two houses were combined into one grand mansion in 1890. They are Grade II* listed.
• 39, 40, and 41 Charles Street: These houses, built around 1750-1753, are all Grade II* listed. Numbers 40 and 41 were built by John Phillips and George Shakespear.

These are just some of the many historic buildings that make Charles Street a special place in London!

Want to Know More?

You might also be interested in these places nearby:

• The Only Running Footman
• Mark's Club
• Cosmopolitan Club (London)