Dover Street, London

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Dover Street is a historic street in London's affluent Mayfair district, stretching from Piccadilly north to Hay Hill. First laid out in the 1680s by a syndicate of developers led by Henry Jermyn, the 1st Earl of St Albans, it takes its name from Henry Jermyn, Lord Dover. It has long been celebrated for its stately Georgian architecture and deep connections to British history, literature, and high society.

History and Heritage

• Aristocratic Origins: In its early centuries, the street was home to prominent statesmen and nobility. It housed the London residences of the Bishops of Ely (Ely House at No. 37) and the Dukes of Argyll.
• Literary Connections: The street has strong ties to famous writers and thinkers. The poet Alexander Pope lived there briefly, and the legendary English diarist John Evelyn died at his Dover Street home in 1706.

The Golden Age of Private Hotels

• Exclusive Lodgings: During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Dover Street became the premier hub for private "family" hotels catering to the upper classes visiting London for the social season.
• Notable Establishments: Alongside Batt's Hotel (at Nos. 41-42), it was home to several other exclusive private hotels like Mackellar’s, Hawkins, and its famous, still-surviving neighbor, Brown's Hotel (located at the corner of Albemarle Street and Dover Street).
• The Arts Club: Founded in 1863 by Charles Dickens and other prominent literary and artistic figures, the historic Arts Club has been located at 40 Dover Street since 1896, serving as a social haven for creatives and patrons.