In this episode, which is the last of Danny Hurst´s London Monopoly History podcast series we reach the Mayfair square. In this entertaining episode, he explains how this famous London area went from being known for its prostitution and crime to becoming one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the world.

Danny explains how events in Mayfair inspired hits for both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He also shares the area´s connection to classical music, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, the co-founder of Rolls Royce, the first telephone call and tells you more about the street´s high-end hotels and shops.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The tradition of high-class prostitutes dates back to a festival that was first held in 1272.
• Statistically Mayfair is rarely landed on.
• There is no longer an official dress code at Claridge's, but anything less than smart casual is frowned upon.
• Mayfair has a strong connection to the long-lasting fashion trend of wearing tuxedos.
• The area once had an Underground station.

BEST MOMENTS

‘A  hangover from earlier times as the festival would attract sex workers. ´

‘The Grosvenor Square riots were pretty insignificant. However, they did inspire two classic songs.’

‘Hence dinner jackets in the USA became known as tuxedos.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Shop for all official versions of Monopoly here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/785DC233-0A69-4DF8-98E9-4F50CC50A59E

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

We start with the Monopoly Series, in which we explore how the game came to be, the real-life connection between the cheapest and most expensive properties, the history of each location, how proportionate the values were then and are today, what the hell a "community chest" is and whether free parking really does exist anywhere in London. 

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…