How the Grosvenor Family Came to Own Much of Mayfair, Belgravia and Pimlico
Walking through Mayfair, Belgravia and Pimlico, you will come across many road names such as Grosvenor, Belgrave, Wilton, and Eaton, which all point to an association with the Grosvenor family, who owned much of the land that was developed into this part of London today. Today, the head of that family is the 7th Duke of Westminster. But how did this family come to own that land, and is there any association between the family and the government or the royal family? What is the history? Let's answer this question!
The Origins of the Grosvenor Estate
The Grosvenor family's connection to London begins with a pivotal marriage in 1677 between Sir Thomas Grosvenor and Mary Davies. Mary, just 12 years old at the time, was an heiress who brought with her approximately 500 acres of rural land located to the west of London. This estate would later become the prime districts of Mayfair>, Belgravia, and parts of Pimlico.
Who Was Mary Davies?
Mary Davies inherited the land from her father, Alexander Davies, a London scrivener — a legal and financial professional. In the mid-17th century, Alexander came into possession of the large tract of land known then as the Manor of Ebury, which included Ebury Farm. This land had originally belonged to Westminster Abbey before the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in the 1530s. After the dissolution, the estate passed to the Crown and was eventually sold off to private individuals, including the Davies family.
Urban Development and the Grosvenor Rise
At the time of Mary Davies’s inheritance, the land was mostly undeveloped countryside between Westminster and the village of Knightsbridge. Over time, as London expanded westward, the land's value soared. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Grosvenor family had begun systematic urban development of the estate:
- Mayfair was developed in the early 1700s.
- Belgravia saw large-scale development starting in the 1820s.
- Pimlico was partially developed later, though its architectural style differed slightly from its neighbours.
These developments established the Grosvenors as one of Britain's wealthiest landowning families. Their estate management continues today under the banner of the Grosvenor Group, a multinational property company.
Is There a Connection to the Royal Family or Government?
Despite their prominence, the Grosvenor family has historically had no direct connection to the governing institutions of the United Kingdom or the reigning royal family — now known as the House of Windsor. The Grosvenor lands were always private estates used for residential development, not government or royal administration.
In contrast, the core of British government — including Parliament, Downing Street, and Whitehall — is located in Westminster, a district that became the seat of royal and governmental power in the Middle Ages, long before the Grosvenors entered the scene. Likewise, the royal family's London residence, Buckingham Palace, was not established as the monarch’s official home until Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century, centuries after Westminster became the centre of government.
The Modern Grosvenor Family
Today, the Grosvenor estate remains under the stewardship of the 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, who inherited the title in 2016. Though the family no longer owns every acre of the original holdings, their name and legacy remain embedded in the urban fabric of London — particularly through place names like Grosvenor Place, Belgrave Square, Eaton Square, and Wilton Crescent.
Quick Facts
- The Grosvenor family's London estate originated with the 1677 marriage of Sir Thomas Grosvenor and Mary Davies.
- Mary Davies inherited about 500 acres of land known as the Manor of Ebury, covering areas now called Mayfair, Belgravia, and parts of Pimlico.
- The land was originally owned by Westminster Abbey and came into private hands after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
- The Grosvenors began urban development of Mayfair in the 18th century and Belgravia in the 19th century.
- Despite their influence, the Grosvenors have no direct historical ties to the British government or royal family.
- The 7th Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, is the current head of the family and oversees the Grosvenor Group.
Painting of Hugh Grosvenor, the 1st Duke of Westminster (View image in full size)