Mayfair

Mayfair is the most expensive property on the Monopoly board and no doubt you've always wondered why.

This quiet, prominent, elegant and extremely wealthy district in the City of Westminster sits between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane. It is lined by the lovely Green Park and includes the luscious squares of Grosvenor (home to the US Embassy), Berkeley and Hanover within its neighbourhood. And it was the Grosvenor and Berkeley families that originally owned the land in the 17th century and had developed the area by the 18th century into a high-class community.

The name Mayfair derives from an annual fair held for 2 weeks during the month of May from 1686 until its location was moved in 1764 from Shepherd Market due to the 'unsavory behaviour' it induced - not what Mayfair was to be known for. Shepherd Market today is in the heart of Mayfair with plenty of bars, pubs (such as Ye Grapes and the Shepherd's Tavern), restaurants and boutiques to keep one and all amused. Shepherd Market also had a name for being home to high-class prostitution and Mayfair does still house premiere escort agencies for men, catering to the needs and discrepancy of those requiring such a service.

Bond Street and Green Park underground stations are the best options for getting to Mayfair.

Mayfair's exquisite architecture and housing has been attracting notables of society for centuries, and past residencies include the Duke of Wellington, who lived on Hamilton Place before moving on to Aspley House, Admiral Lord Nelson resided on New Bond Street, Florence Nightingale on South Street and 23 Brook Street was home to Jimi Hendrix, albeit briefly.

Boasting some of London's most exclusive hotels and buildings, the luxurious 5-star, Royally connected Claridge´s hotel is located on Brook Street. U.S President Franklin D Roosevelt would stay here when visiting London and Claridges restaurant is headed by celebrity chef Gordan Ramsay. If you can afford it, go. Mayfair also houses the Royal Academy of Arts located on Piccadilly.

If sophisticated and expensive shopping is your style, then look no further then New and Old Bond Streets, both known for their exclusive clothing boutiques, jewelers and antique stores. Savile Row is the place to go for high quality tailor-made suits and is famous for housing Apple Records, the recording studio for the Beatles - and the rooftop of No.3 Savile Row is where they played their last concert in 1969.

A hot-spot for dining, drinking, dancing and entertaining in London's fashionable Mayfair is The Dover Street Restaurant and Jazz Bar. With a delicious French/European menu, Jazz and Blues or Latin and Soul music playing every night, and a DJ until 3am, Dover Street is a favourite for many a celebrity and anyone trying to win over a client.

Mayfair is home to the majority of the city's luxury hotels, exclusive shopping, beautiful parks and squares to rest in, expensive and amazing car dealerships and show-rooms, incredible architecture and not to mention that Mount Street has as a resident R Allen & Co, the best butchers in the hood. This is why Mayfair the most expensive property on the Monopoly board.