event
MEETING POINT: St James's Piccadilly, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL
Join SAVE Britain's Heritage and former Westminster conservation lead Robert Ayton for a West End walking tour exploring recent developments that balance design, conservation and heritage. The walk includes new architecture in St James’s, Soho and Mayfair, starting at St James’s Church and taking in sites around Piccadilly, Pall Mall, Haymarket and Leicester Square.
Piccadilly Circus
Charing Cross
19
other useful bus routes are: 9, 14, 19, 23, 38 The tour will end at Piccadilly Circus
This is a walking tour and does not include access to building interiors.
Outdoor walking tour with former conservation officer. Busy streets, limited seating, city noise, occasional stops for discussion.
Walking tour
11:30–13:00
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Robert Ayton, Robert Ayton spent 30 years as Head of Design and Conservation for Westminster City Council’s Central Area, overseeing major developments across the West End. He joined Donald Insall Associates as Senior Heritage Consultant in 2021.
This is an outdoor walking tour through the streets of St James’s in central London, led by the former conservation officer for the area. You'll hear first-hand insights into planning decisions, conservation challenges, and how recent buildings were shaped to balance development with heritage.
Join SAVE and Robert Ayton, former Head of Design and Conservation at Westminster City Council, for a walking tour of the West End.
Demonstrating how contemporary architecture can complement the historic fabric of the city, this tour highlights recent buildings that balance development, conservation, and high-quality design - respecting sensitive town centre heritage locations, supporting local communities, and driving economic growth.
Centred around the St James’s and Haymarket areas, the walk will begin at Piccadilly Circus and take in both modern and historic developments across Piccadilly, St James’s Square, Pall Mall, and Haymarket, along with some lesser-known gems.
at the gates of St James’s Piccadilly (197 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL) for a prompt departure at 11:30am.
Please note you will need to book a ticket for this tour.
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Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1874
