The Burlington Arcade , London . Overseas visitors find traditional British quality in the narrow covered passage which is one of the world ' s most exclusive shopping centres . Three of the shops display Royal warrants and all are proud of their exclusive clientele . Many of the shops still have their original shop fronts and windows built when the Arcade opened in 1819 . A lady window gazer pores over the sparkling second hand and antique jewellery in the window of Leighton ' s , one of the largest shops in the arcade , selling jewellery and antique silver . 1948