In collaboration with London guide, Fox & Squirrel, The Connaught is offering a series of walks tailored to explore and unveil the origins of British luxury in the early 17th century when Mayfair became a destination for luxury craftsmen. Accompanied by a Fox & Squirrel historian, during the two-hour walks, guests will delve into the archives of bespoke tailors, milliners and perfumers, meeting some of the capital’s most talented artisans.
Walks start at The Connaught at 4pm and take place on the first Tuesday of every month and cover royal endorsement at the archives and workshops of respected holders of the Royal Warrant (4 August), extravagant materials (8 September), contemporary crafts (6 October), bespoke (3 November) and service (8 December).
Each walk costs £125 and ends at The Connaught’s Coburg Bar with a cocktail specially created to resonate the theme of the walk.
About The Connaught…
The Connaught occupies a quiet corner in the heart of Mayfair Village – one of the most exclusive and fashionable districts of London. Overlooking the calm of Carlos Place and the stunning Tadao Ando water feature ‘Silence’…as well as several contemporary and fine art galleries. Guests can enjoy the finer things in life right on the Connaught’s doorstep. It is also however just minutes from exquisite restaurants, and within walking distance of some of London’s most charming parks and gardens. And with Oxford Street, the West End and the airports all easily accessible, the Connaught is the perfect London base.
About Fox & Squirrel…
In 2010, two women named Penelope and Jojo were living in London, searching for jobs to go to once they’d graduated with MAs in Cultural and Creative Industries from Kings College.
The city was still deep in recession, and finding work was proving to be a frustrating, demoralising task. Taking inspiration from the Victorian Lady’s Guide Association (1880), a group offering employment prospects to educated middle class women, training them as guides and personal shoppers, Penelope and Jojo saw an opportunity, and Fox & Squirrel was born.
The whole of London became their battleground, and a group of incredibly talented, knowledgeable and creative individuals their ground troops. They started to map London’s cultural terrain, and within just a year of operation, Fox & Squirrel was awarded the prestigious title Best Guided Walks by The Guardian.
Fast-forward three years and Penelope is now running Fox & Squirrel solo. The company has expanded its repertoire to include walks focused on art, fashion, food, street photography, architecture and film. A Brixton-based food writer named Lindsay goes undercover for one of Penelope’s Brixton Food Walks, with the aim of reviewing it for the local press.
Feigning a lack of local area knowledge, Lindsay (badly) pretends to know anything about Brixton, until her cover is blown by one of the Chefs featured on the walk, and is forced to reveal her true identity. Despite being outed in this way, Lindsay is genuinely impressed with Fox & Squirrel’s local area knowledge, as well as the critical and social commentary the walk incites, and writes a very positive review.
Months later, Penelope is looking for a new food guide, and Lindsay joins the team in a comedic display of poacher-turned-gamekeeper, and the new dynamic duo is born.
Fox & Squirrel continues to thrive and grow. Walks remain the face of Fox & Squirrel, but also collaborate with established, prestigious brands such as The Connaught, Getty Images and The New Craftsman, as well as provide bespoke consulting services for private clients, Business Improvement Districts and PRs.
