walk/tour
Outside the Nova Building, 79 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0AJ
Built in the 1820s for the upper class, Belgravia remains a jewel in the heart of London. Renowned for its grand architecture, garden squares, and cobbled mews, it has preserved much of its original Victorian appearance. Discover 200 years of history: from marshland to gracious living, notable residents, hidden stories, and its evolution into the 21st century.
Victoria
Victoria
11, 13, 148, 170, 24, 26, 36, 38, 44, 52, 185, 390, C10
The nearest tube stations near the end of the tour are Sloan Square and Victoria.
Route crosses some major roads, but mostly on quiet side streets. Flat roads, no steps. No seats, but can lean on the walls on stops.
Walking tour
10:00–11:45
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
In 1821, Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster, set an ambitious plan to transform 80ha of marshland into a prototype of elegant urban living. The timing couldn’t have been better: George IV had just commissioned architect John Nash to remodel Buckingham House into what would become Buckingham Palace, making the area as the new centre of royal London. Described at the time as perfectly located 'between town and country,' Belgravia quickly became the favourite address of the upper echelon aristocracy and high society.
Building on the success of the Grosvenor estate’s earlier development in Mayfair, Belgravia was designed from the outset for the upper class, with a strict architectural and social hierarchy. The project brought to prominence one of the 19th century’s greatest developers, Thomas Cubitt, who contributed for the area’s lasting success and his signature stuccoed terraces became synonymous with Belgravia and Pimlico.
Today, Belgravia remains remarkably true to its original masterplan: grand terraces, verdant garden squares, picturesque cobble stone mews, formally planned streets, and a charming village-like atmosphere. Walk its streets, you can still picture the daily lives of the Victorian upper class and those who served them.
Join the tour to explore this 19th century residential masterpiece. Discover how the Grosvenor family came to own 200ha of prime London land and transformed the swamp to splendour. Along the way, hear stories of Belgravia’s evolution, shifting social fabric, its famous residents, and how it continues to develop in the 21st century.
This tour is led by a participant of Open City’s Golden Key Academy – a course training up insightful and engaging guides dedicated to explaining London and bringing its many stories to life. It is part of a wider collection of tours created by Golden Key Academy guides for the Open House Festival celebrating their conclusion of the eight month course. Further information on the Golden Key Academy can be found here https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy
Drop in
community/cultural, military
A Grade 2 listed former Territorial Army Drill Hall featuring restored elements of the original 1882 design. It has a triple height central hall with the restored wrought iron balconies and roofing. Notable Neo-Georgian design brickwork. It is also unique in being the last ever military drill hall built in the UK.
Oliver Hill RIBA, 1952
Drop in / Other / Talk
community/cultural, concert/performance space, embassy/high commission
Situated in one of the largest and grandest 19th century squares in London, 1 Belgrave Square was acquired by Romania in 1936 and is now home to the Romanian Cultural Institute.
Thomas Cubitt, 1828
