Top 7 OLD MONEY Communities of THE UNITED KINGDOM

As the term “old money” has gobbled up screens all over America in the last couple of years…

The storied aristocracy of my beloved United Kingdom has been living the “old money” dream for millennia.

The history of this old money in the UK stretches back to the aristocracy of the Middle Ages, in fact for some families as far back as The Norman Conquest of 1066, and up to the present day been rooted in our country’s deeply entrenched class system.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:52 #7 Chichester, West Sussex
2:35 #6 Winchester, Hampshire
4:15 #5 Stockbridge, Edinburgh
5:36 #4 Oxford, Oxfordshire
7:08 #3 St George’s Hill, Surrey
8:41 #2 Mayfair, London
10:21 #1 Knightsbridge, London

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Let’s venture into the rich tapestry of Chichester, a city in West Sussex where the essence of old money subtly permeates the cobblestone streets and grand Georgian homes.

Nestled on the edge of the verdant South Downs, Chichester has been a beacon of prosperity since Roman times.

Founded as Noviomagus Reginorum, the city was a bustling market hub during the Middle Ages, its wealth augmented by the prosperous coastal trade routes and fertile lands surrounding it. As the centuries rolled on, it morphed into a bastion of nobility and influence.

Let’s journey next to the delightful city of Winchester in Hampshire, a true treasure trove of Old Money in The UK.

Winchester’s history is one for the ages. As the ancient capital of Wessex and later the Kingdom of England, it has been a potent symbol of power and authority for centuries.

From the grandeur of its ancient cathedral to its iconic Great Hall housing the purported King Arthur’s Round Table, each corner of Winchester echoes with tales of kings, bishops, and nobles.

Our next sojourn takes us to the enchanting neighborhood of Stockbridge in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

Stockbridge’s origin harks back to the 19th century, when it transformed from a rural hamlet into a bustling suburb for Edinburgh’s elite.

Among the notable families who have graced the streets of Stockbridge are the primogenitors of the Keith Clan, who built the magnificent Keith House in the area. Today, it stands as an emblem of the past affluence of this charismatic neighborhood.

Our next destination in this exploration of old money communities in the United Kingdom is the illustrious city of Oxford, nestled in the county of Oxfordshire. Famous for its prestigious university, this city is a harmonious blend of scholarly pedigree and ancient wealth.

Founded in the 12th century, the University of Oxford quickly became a magnet for the children of nobility, establishing the city as a bastion of wealth, power, and intellect. The honeyed stone of its grand colleges stands as testament to the city’s Old Money lineage.

Additionally, prominent old money families have long been associated with Oxford. The Bertie Family, the Earls of Abingdon, who held the grand Abingdon Abbey, made their mark on the city.

Stepping into the number three spot, we find ourselves in the exclusive community of St George’s Hill, Surrey. Established in the early 20th century, St George’s Hill was envisioned as an idyllic refuge for the affluent.

The carefully planned private estate swiftly attracted the discerning elite, becoming a beacon of wealth and status in Surrey. Its landscape and seclusion offered an irresistible allure to those seeking privacy and refinement.

The illustrious Beatles member, John Lennon, once called St George’s Hill home, living in the magnificent Kenwood House.

Mayfair, our penultimate stop, is nestled within the heart of London, a neighborhood that’s synonymous with affluence, exclusivity and enduring class. Let’s unlock the secrets of its noble past and present.

Born in the 18th century amidst London’s rapid growth, Mayfair rapidly became a haven for the upper crust of society. Its grid of leafy squares and opulent houses drew families desiring prestige and comfort, solidifying its reputation as a locus of Old Money in London.

Historically, the aristocratic Grosvenor Family, who own a significant portion of Mayfair, have contributed to its stature.

Finally, we arrive at the zenith of our exploration, in the esteemed neighborhood of Knightsbridge, London. A pinnacle of prestige and prosperity, Knightsbridge represents the epitome of Old Money in the UK.

A stone’s throw away from the royal Buckingham Palace, Knightsbridge’s history is deeply tied to the city’s elite.

Its story of wealth began in earnest in the 19th century with the arrival of notable department stores such as Harrods, making it a destination for luxury shopping and opulent living.

[oldmoneyluxury]

COMMENT: Have you been to, or are a native of, any of these elite locations? Let us know!

[sgillespie]

Mayfair, enduring class? Knightsbridge, the pinnacle of old money? You haven’t been home in a while have you?

[healthyamerican]

knightsbridge or londonsitan, i cant tell anymore. new middle eastern money overwhelming an old money neighborhood

[stellamaxwell]

For London, what about Marylebone, Queen Anne’s Gate/Westminster, Belgravia?

[katesleuth]

Stayed at Grosvenor House 35 yrs. ago on our honeymoon. Looking at the prices there now, it must have been a splurge. We had a great time, 3 days in London & 7 driving around Southern England. We’re going back in November for the first time in 35 yrs.

[AbstractMedicine]

I attended primary school in Mayfair, I have lived in Knightsbridge before moving to Oxfordshire where I now reside.

[funkg]

Personally (As a Londoner) I would say that Knightsbridge and Mayfair seems a bit vulgar, new money and 'foreign oil money'. Personally I would plump for (old money) Hampstead, Holland Park, Wimbledon, Barnes, South Notting Hill, Fulham and Dulwich.

[rosemaryjones]

Excellent commentaries, great diction ! We have travelled throughout Britain - from Wales, England and all the way to Dingwall in Scotland, but only a flying visit within a couple of weeks. Thoroughly enjoyed your commentaries on the British history. Please keep them coming 🙏 thanks.

[ФазилатДавлетова]

I strongly believe that one day I will visit those places and will admire them with my own eyes. Moreover, I see myself among these old money.😊

[jgibbs]

St George's Hill, Weybridge, is definitely NEW money: most of us from old families wouldn't be seen dead there. And no one from old money would include either of the London areas, however well-connected their aristocratic landlords. And only a parvenu would refer to "horse-riding".
Old money doesn't buy new, we inherit.

[alberto]

Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Arundel Castle, Downton Abbey, Lord Darlington’s place (from Remains of the Day, don’t remember the house’s name), Hogwarts, Malfoy Manor,

[lennywaweru]

Please make a video on the owners of Chatsworth manor

[ninaelsbethgustavsen]

Walking through Mayfair some time back, I noticed the damp smell of licen and moss from the red brick houses.
The Grosvenors once bought some soggy farmland west of what was then London, building some of the now smarter areas in town. While at the same time leading London's many rivers underground, adding a faulty sewage system, there's no wonder the place doesn't live up to it's affluent reputation...
Where I come from, that faint stench means decay and ill management...
Norwegian tourist 🇧🇻

[CM]

Who on Earth puts these videos together. It talks of the private club, the Athenaeum in Pall Mall but then illustrates this with a photo of the completely unconnected hotel of the same in Piccadilly. Also, neither it nor the Reform Club is in Mayfair but in another area of London, St James’s. Better research is needed!

[stuartlarkin]

Jim Rockford of the Rockford Files: "There's old money and new money and no money". Btw, what happened to Kensington?

[Rudey]

I would love to visit some of these places. I'm not old money but I can pretend for a bit.

[juanitajones]

Actually some of the old American East Coast families go as far back as the Colonial American period of the 17th and 18th centuries, long before the late 19th century.

[Richardsonprincess]

American new money vs British old money...classic isn't it? 🍻

[JM-gutx]

U.S. may have a shorter history, but we can trace our ancestry to the Norman Conquest and even much further. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, for example are related to Winston Churchill and Princess Diana.

[rosemarieamparado]

Is that Lord Grantham narrating the documentary?