Rainy London Walk through Mayfair to Piccadilly (4K)

[@maverick4177]

That red telephone box is rather significant, it was where David Bowie had photos taken for the spiders from Mars album 👍🏻 there is also an image of him sitting outside one of those buildings Hence the pub Star man

[@dugrss]

Yes! The Cover shot of Ziggy Stardust was at 23 Heddon St. I believe there is a plaque.

[@DocBosh]

I was just about to write the same comment, well not exactly the same that would be odd, but that it was the Ziggy Stardust phone box.

[@markriley4665]

Even on a miserable day John, you make London a joy to navigate as a palimpsest of histories! Thank you.

[@TonyCarnell]

I'm sure I'm not the only person to think that this less polished & more spontaneous video had a real charm to it. Somehow the rain also added something. Really enjoyed it. As ever, thanks for sharing 👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks so much Tony - I really enjoyed making it

[@DocBosh]

I love London in the rain. Even videos of it give me that feeling of wistful longing.

[@timgallivan1614]

8:32 Heddon Street. The Famous Location for the David Bowie 1972 of the iconic Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Album cover. Great video!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I love that fact Tim - thanks

[@whobrewing]

One of the best walks I ever had in NYC was flipping a coin at the end of each block to decide what direction my wife and I went. I saw places I'd never seen before. Sometimes the unplanned adventure works out well.

[@zenarobinson3851]

loved this, thank you! used to be my kind of walk, but now, as old age is approaching, i daren't do them any more, as i always used to get lost, and my legs can't cope for more than about 1mile these days!! 😐

[@michaelohalloran2800]

I think there is nothing wrong with a rainy day walk. Put the old raincoat on hat and off you go. Always a nice refreshment. At the end. plus we always learn.. Cheers

[@EdEditz]

Excellent video John. It really doesn't matter what the weather is like or with which camera you film. Any John Rogers video is a good video. Always makes my Sunday :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Ed - very kind

[@minkwells8434]

The Starman pub must indeed be a Bowie reference since Heddon Street is where the photo on the back of Ziggy Stardust album cover was taken.

[@PANTECHNICONRecordings]

And the front!

[@PerfumedByTheSea]

I love that whole area to walk around when I’m in London. In November I had been inside Fortnums and Masons, it was so hot and crowded due to the Xmas shopping. I went and sat on one of the benches in the St James’s Church outside area for about an hour. It was lined up with Christmas trees. So nice to have the bustle of Piccadilly next to you and the calm of the church on the other side. Worth sitting there with a coffee and just people watching.

[@jenniferbate9682]

Love St James Piccadilly. Must make the effort to go there soon. Miss it 😢

[@emiliafernandez1613]

Thank you for bringing my wonderful old home to my present one. I grew up in Soho but have lived in Stormville, NY for 35 years, I will always be a Londoner first.

[@jenniferbate9682]

Me too.

[@David.W.Kelsey]

Love all your walks John, but this spontaneous one was magical, there is something wondrous about London in the rain, thankyou.

[@danieladams9950]

Agree on spontaneity

[@hori166]

Jermyn Street, the best smelling street in London. The Floris boutique is there where you can get "007" cologne. Also Paxton & Whitfield cheesemongers with a beautiful selection of artisan English cheese.

[@darrenlondon6687]

That red telephone box in Heddon street is one of the most famous ones you'll come across, On the back cover of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust album is a photo of himself inside it.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Ah fantastic- thanks!!

[@catieoates1726]

Loved it, especially ending up in Burlington arcade. My grandfather had to leave school at 14, but ended up having a shirting business above one of the shops there. Thank you so much for another great walk

[@magicknight8412]

St James's church is one of my favourite churches in London. It's my go to refuge from the noise and bustle of London, go in and it's an oasis of calm and quiet.Listened to some wonderful concerts in there. When i worked around the corner I would often pop in for a bit of solitude and reflection. I love Hatchards too !

[@The3Kosmos3]

Those rainy streets have a very Le Carré-ish atmosphere!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

They really do

[@highpath4776]

Somehow John in a silver onesie and a pink hand bag has some appeal to view

[@1966babysnakes]

Thanks for going out on such a miserably wet & cold London day.

[@AMcF54]

Thank you for taking me on a rainy London walk. Charming as ever.

[@lindasueanderson8024]

I very much like this style of filming in an urban setting - it felt much like how I see London when I get to visit - looking everywhere, trying to miss nothing, deciding to go left instead of right. When you are someplace like the North Sea, I prefer the slower, longer shots and lingering on the natural environment. So I would love more of what I will call "Piccadilly filming"

[@johnbettano6026]

Very awesome! My daughter is heading back to London tomorrow, January 17th, for the fourth time. I always share your tours of the city with her. She is a massive bookworm. Her Maine destinations are bookstores and, of course, historic places in the town. One day, I will go with her.

[@CaroleMora22]

I have many fond memories of walking in London during the holidays. It so nice to again have this sense of the place, albiet vicariously. I so look forward to visiting there, and the UK in general, again one day down the road. As always, many thanks.

[@johnorchin8567]

Hi John, What strikes me about this walk is that from a London point of view, you spread your wings quite far afield, and in so doing you haven’t exhausted your fascination with the central area - still discovering little hidden gems, in an area which if anything is over documented and filmed.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks John - I think that's right, there are so many aspects to the central area beyond it's overly narrated elements

[@tonybone6600]

Cracking video as always John. Makes Sunday evening viewing a real treat. Great stuff!

[@CthulhuInc]

Thanks again, John! your videos prove that the journey is the destination 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thank you so much Cthulhulnc!

[@truebrit3578]

Rain, early January light , the promise of the cold months ahead. This video bleeds London at its best.

[@marty9011]

This is just how I imagine a cold, rainy, winter's afternoon in London. Thanks for going out in it !

[@richardgeorge8612]

Thank you for this John. its lovely walking around London in the rain, it brings the colours of the buildings to life so much

[@allears48]

Ahhh that’s the London we know and love- grey and wet. I spent hours roaming Piccadilly and in and out of the small streets; thanks for this video !

[@harrystones2238]

Love your videos so much, really helped me when I moved here for University. We did Psychogeography in one of our modules so this type of thing was straight up my alley (pun intended). What I love doing is going for random walks then opening up a ton of research resources (Historic England, Britian from Above, etc) and going through what I saw. Anyway, thank you so much for your content, got me through a lot of hard times. If you're back in Mayfair soon, try stop off at the two amazing Catholic Churches of St James', Spanish Place and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street. Stunning churches inside and usually open thankfully.

[@margaretdrew2844]

Because of the dark day the pubs look so welcoming

[@VictoriaPichel]

i didn't mind at all in fact I enjoyed it a lot. London in the rain is beautiful!

[@annepuffett2025]

Simply brilliant John a joy to watch thank you

[@janetfinn25]

Well that was fun and stirred up many memories. I went to school at St George's Hanover Square ( primary) in the late 50s and then more recently my late husband and I would often visit the Royal Academy, stroll around the area and have lunch in Jermyn St, not always in that order or in good order if lunch was taken first as it was always with wine. Fortnums was a treat at various times throughout my life, for coffee and cakes with friends in the 70s then picking up soup & bread and treats for my girls in the last few years before my Tom became ill. Thank you for a delightful film.

[@waldorfstatler3129]

Heddon Street was where the cover of Bowie's album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was photographed.

[@daveconyard8946]

Got The Original Album, A bit crackly between tracks . rather old now .

[@Suho1004]

Your videos often make me nostalgic for my time in London, but someone this rainy walk hits me harder than ever. Maybe because it feels more like London?

[@denismichaeljames]

Great area, so much to see around there, full of gems. Such beautiful streets. The RA courtyard is always worth looking in. You can go inside the gallery and wander around. It is quite changed from when you were last there. Fortnums is a treat and for a selection of loose teas. Thanks for this. Those arcades are are full of high end goods. Imagine their rents? And about 3k for a handbag.

[@CthulhuInc]

that was terrific john, thank you!

[@milobell5525]

Lovely. You go ahead and film whenever you want. We'll all be agog whatever the weather.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Milo

[@caroledrury1411]

“handbags are not my thing” ha ha ha! Once again you can’t imagine how thrilling it is to have discovered your walks as my dear old dad used to love walking through London, Harold Arthur Drury went from Australia on a grant by sir Edward marsh secretary state to Sir Winston Churchill to study when he was quite young At the Royal College of Art. He was also a Flâneur and the true meaning of the word is what you’re doing tonight which is not following a map or notes but seeing where each twist and turn takes you. So again very enjoyable where I can now connect back with my dear old dad, may he rest in peace.

[@brandondean8060]

Aww Sunday with John!! 🤠

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Happy Sunday Brandon

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Another very enjoyable stroll. It's all too easy to walk along Regent Street from Picadilly Circus to Oxford Circus without stopping to explore to numerous allyways, streets and arcades, which your video brings into view. Thank you.

[@suewhite6612]

Really enjoying the references to Benjamin and the derive in this brilliant little film

[@danieladams9950]

Delightful stroll. In addition to those mentioned at the end, Cardiff has a lovely maze of arcades.

[@johngeorge3619]

Loved Hamleys, my Dad used to take me and my brother out for a day in London in the '60s, and we would go and see the model railways running around the big open area in the centre of Hamleys. Then he would stand with his nose against the angle of a Hamleys front window, hide 1 leg behind the angle and raise an arm and a leg and shake the m whilst we laughed as in the glass it looked like he was not touching the ground.

[@pinkmoondoll9shihtzu]

love the rain in this one, so peaceful & atmospheric. good night from america zzz

[@JTTW1455]

I didn’t really notice it was raining. Except for the light. Enjoyed the spontaneous post-holidays walk around Mayfair thank you.

[@judithbateson6353]

I'd vote this as one of your best John. I really enjoyed every moment. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

brilliant thanks Judith

[@aysharafique4941]

I used to love walking around here, back in my UCL days. Once, I stumbled upon these elevated gardens close to Bond St, called Brown Hart Gardens. It's easy to miss as it's built on top of a power substation. I'm not sure if it's still as quiet and calm as it was 10+ years ago but I remember it wowed me back then.

[@TelBil2010]

Thanks John I'm away from my home London for a while and I really miss it these videos give me just the fix I desire

[@alexrinse]

The Windmill serves up some of the best pie in London!

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Lovely job, thanks John.

[@alanperry3651]

When I started working as a Messenger Boy for Pathe in 64 my first job was to a TV company in Hanover Square and from there I had to make my way to Chelsea for another job. When I got to the Chelsea drop I realised I still had two cans of film that I should have delivered to the Hanover Square job. Apologies if the TV schedules ran late that night. Hahaha. Often walked down the Burlington Arcade in later days on my way to Pearl and Dean in Dover St. Enjoyed the video.

[@davidshearer8793]

Trailfinders - in 1994 I bought the air tickets there for my first trip to Australia, a country I now call home. Wonderful they are still going.

[@lizstevenson7801]

Thank you John that was very enjoyable, reminded me of many a spontaneous walk in London with either family or friends years ago. 💕🇦🇺

[@robertmaitland09]

Thanks for the memories John, I worked from Princes St as a despatch rider back in eighties.

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

Happy New Year, John! Thanks for passing by Hamleys an iconic toy store which brings many happy memories back even to date. I remember going there with my parents as a kid, watching toy trains on the fourth level and also buying Nintendo and Sega games as those were very popular in the 1990s. Especially the Mario Brothers edition. Oh, what lovely nostalgia! bring me back to my childhood. Please…. give me my toys back ;'(

[@karlx19]

Pretty sure you were on Heddon Street where the Starman pub is - location of the cover of Ziggy Stardust

[@kerryannestevenson6099]

Good job I brought my brolly.I remember going to see a tribute to Jake Thackeray in St James,Piccadilly.Thanks for taking me along.

[@WESTMALLEMAN]

Always enjoy your enthusiasm for London John, I was actually in Fortnum & Mason myself on sunday buying reduced price Christmas goodies!

[@gparry42]

In the wet but still very enjoyable, thankyou John.

[@dougmorris2134]

An “off the cuff” walking tour in the rain but very enjoyable. Thank you John and a belated Happy New Year. Best wishes from Oxfordshire.

[@eastendswede8501]

Mason Arms was a after work/training pub when I studied hairdressing in Mayfair in the late 90s. It was nice pub

[@johnmiller5630]

Another thoroughly enjoyable video John. I love the content you produce and always treasure the time spent watching. Many memories bubbled to the surface as you wandered. Happy days.

[@barrieainge4937]

Such an interesting walk John. As a fairly frequent visitor to London from Swindon to see our son and his partner (well it's only 50 mins in the train) it's quite remarkable what distance you can cover in London and what delights you can see by simply walking and looking. If the legs start to tire then there's always the trusty bus pass to get me back to base. Keep up the good work John, I wonder, when doing your outer London stints,if you ever get to Surrey in the Dorking (where I spent my formative years) Reigate, Redhill etc areas. I always enjoyed the walking there.

[@womensboxingchannel]

Thanks for bringing travel to my living room John.

[@biddylisduff]

Thanks John! Very intrepid to plod on in the damp, but the rain added to the atmosphere. Loved the diversions into the alleys and sidestreets, seeing the old buildings still standing is great. I find it sad how certain parts of the City are becoming all high rise, losing the horizon from street level. I find it disconcerting when I can't see the skyline, messes with my sense of direction and feels claustrophobic. I remember when a local arcade in Romford was lovely wooden bay window frames, interesting shops. The Malls took over, all undercover but soulless and sprawling. Few seats for free so hard to relax and people watch, no natural light - prefer sitting in the Market Place, by the Church with a Gregg's Coffee and pasties to share with the pigeons, especially in Summer! A true Pleb - never buy from Starbucks! 🙂

[@EdEditz]

That telephonebox at 9:08 is the one used for the picture on the Ziggy Stardust album if I'm not mistaken.

[@jenniferbate9682]

Because George Frederick Handel lived near Hanover Square. He came over to compose music from Hanover, Saxony for King George in the early 18th century. Excellent video. Thank you.

[@harrisoncharles6209]

I just stopped working in Hatchards in the new year. Sad to have missed you. There’s a little secret route to the roof that I used to get up on in my lunch break and look down on Piccadilly. Great view of all of London’s ants

[@loekybaltes]

I Really enjoyed this video love the rain Thank you whis you ole the best Peter from Thailand/bangkok

[@osptony]

Dude, ya missed Albany, and it's courtyard. Next time perhaps? Thanks, love your vids.

[@clivelangham435]

Loved this. Never mind the rain. Made my day. Lots more, please.

[@Leonard_Smith]

Thanks for this video John. You reminded me that back in the 1980's there was shop in Princes Arcade that sold nothing except Meccano spare parts and models. It was run by a very old lady who had owned the shop all of her life. I often wonder what happened to the shop after she went to the great Binns Road in the sky...

[@robbojax2025]

I worked in the West End for 5 years from the late 80s. this brought back memories of many pub crawls around Mayfair. Top content as always.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Brilliant thanks Robbo

[@heleneburgess3974]

One of my favourite places to be, your spontaneous wet walk around Mayfair was a joy, I discovered your videos at Christmas time and I'm enjoying your back catalogue.....keep on walking John

[@heavensmountains323]

I love your videos, especially this one! The rain, the golden-lit store fronts, the iconic arcades really took me to a different place. Your informative monologue is brilliant. You certainly rate higher than the worldly news of the day! Many thanks for your continued effort. 🇨🇦💕👍😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks for that Mountains

[@FireStormintheTARDIS]

That was a blast from the past. I worked in Maddox Street in the late 80's and I used to use the sandwich bar what was up by those arches opposite the mason's arms. We would go in the Mason's Arms after work. It was a nice little pub back then. Not sure about how it is now. been many years!

[@margaretdrew2844]

As usual I always learn something.thanks

[@OkieJammer2736]

Laughed out loud at 'VERY PROUD OF THE RED AND GREEN SHED I BUILT AT THE BOTTOM OF MY GARDEN' remark on your Amazon bio. Ha! Just bought your book for an upcoming London trip in July! Thanks so much. Love your dry wit and AWESOME tours.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Okie - hope you enjoy the book

[@edwinleslie1330]

Back in the 60s I was a postman in the west end. A brilliant time and place to work. One of the many things I learnt was the area of W1 had no roads inside it's "boundary" area. ie. Marylebone Rd, Euston Rd, Tottenham Court Rd, Charing Cross Rd, Shaftsbury Avenue, Piccadilly and Park Lane. Inside these roads were Street, Place, Lane, Avenue and Mews... 🤔

[@minijames2777]

Happy new year John, thank you again for all the fantastic walks

[@bt5080]

Love your videos, John. Also, no matter what, I bought your book. Loved it. Walking in London rain is a nice change of pace. It gives a real sense of what it's like. You have such a lovely outlook on life, and what you do; it seems nothing can make your walks unlikable.

[@danieladams9950]

Totally agree. Love John's positivity on life.

[@AngelaStone5678]

Hi John, I used to drink in the Mason's Arms when I worked at Playstation (on Great Marlborough St), 10 ish years ago. Great little after work pub.

[@AlNikon]

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Spontaneous wandering in a rainy London with your fascinating narration is great fun.

[@RedStickHistorian]

This video reminded me of the old English saying, there is no bad weather, only poor clothing choices. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That’s wonderful thanks (I always carry a waterproof jacket with me)

[@icatz]

It's been raining here since last night and while it's 10C, it feels like I'm walking with you. I can practically smell London. I miss my England walks. TFS ❤️🏏🎸 P.S. I live in the desert.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I’ll be honest, I could do with a spell in the desert right now

[@MeTheRob]

@@JohnRogersWalks If you tire of the desert, come and visit me. We could have a snowball fight.

[@icatz]

@@JohnRogersWalks Here comes the inevitable.... Trade ya?

[@Eurobrasil550]

Very enjoyable as ever John, that very early part of the year after Christmas and New year have passed seems to have a particular atmosphere that you catch perfectly, I haven't been to London since 2007, Certainly brings back memories, Many thanks! .

[@stevesmith3990]

I love your enthusiasm John, thanks for the walk.

[@lilasphotosandvideos43]

Thanks for the tour of London 👍

[@nsn73]

I enjoyed the video, great walk.

[@sas1uk185]

Loved it! Thanks

[@Capital194]

Nice to see Bruton st, I used to work for Italian TV (RAI) who were at no. 29 Bruton st.

[@gc9017]

Love your videos John, please keep them coming., brings back good memories.

[@JacqTracks]

Thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thank you very much JA - massively appreciated

[@john80c]

Brilliant video despite the weather. I bought a tea caddy from Fortnum and Mason- very nice. I am originally from Leeds and yes it does have magnificent arcades especially the Victorian Quarter which has a big branch of Harvey Nicholls. Near me now in Hagerstown Maryland is a shopping mall which seems to ape the London/Leeds arcades with a few independent high end shops and restaurants. West Virginia is rural so we don't have many shops let alone arcades.

[@lovelyskull3483]

Lovely.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Nice surprise. REALLY ENJOYED IT. wow An elephant in an arcade.

[@pjeball]

Lovely video John. That’s an area I’ve patrolled many times before… Christmas shopping and the like. I was pleased to identify Burlington Arcade as your final destination. As always I’m impressed with your field of view… managing to take in far more than I ever would… head down, intending to “arrive” somewhere!