art deco places to visit london

10 of the best Art Deco landmarks in London

Art Deco left visible signs in London’s urban landscape during the 1920s and 1930s. Many landmarks are still scattered across the city, conveying a modernist and exhuberant approach to architecture.

A fitting setting for George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’ (Photo: a.canvas.of.light via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Debuted at the grand Paris exhibition of 1925, the Art Deco movement flourished in Europe and the US until World War II. It was a bold and eclectic wave of decorative styles which influenced both design and architecture, promoting exuberant shapes and geometric motifs, bright colours and Ancient Egyptian revival. In London, that period of modernist enthusiasm is often associated with lidos and cinemas, factories and institutional buildings. Both famous and lesser-known landmarks can be included in an Art Deco tour of the UK capital.

Senate House

This imposing 19-storey building was commissioned in 1932 to provide a new home to the University of London. It remained an unfinished project due to the start of World War II, but even so, it defines the architecture of Bloomsbury to this day. Designed by Charles Holden, its austere exterior style falls somewhere between traditionalism and modernism, while the interiors feature typically Art Deco marble elements and decorations. Senate House inspired George Orwell’s Ministry of Truth in his best-known novel ‘1984’.

Senate House, Malet St, WC1E 7HU

Carreras Cigarette Factory

Ancient Egyptian Revival is a recurring theme of Art Deco architecture, and the Carreras Cigarette Factory is one of the most striking examples in London. A bright colonnade, the cat motifs above it, and two black cats guarding the entrance are only some of the Egyptian features found on the facade. The original project also included a solar disc to the Sun-god Ra, covered during the war because of its resemblance to the symbolism of the Third Reich. Turned into offices in 1961, the building lost many of its original details and decorations, some of which were replaced during an extensive renovation in the late 1990s.

Hampstead Rd, NW1 7DF

Two Egyptian cats guard the entrance to Carreras Cigarette Factory (Photo: SONY DSC via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Not far from Regent’s Park, 66 Portland Place is home to the Royal Institute of British Architects. It has served this purpose since opening in 1934, when it was inaugurated by King George V and Queen Mary. The bas-relief figure above the entrance is titled ‘Architectural Aspiration’, while five more figures decorate the facade on Weymouth Street. Architecture is also celebrated by two more sculptures depicting a man and a woman as creative forces. The interiors feature wide floor-to-ceiling windows, bright spaces, marble, carvings and other decorations. To have a look around, the RIBA library and cafe are open to the public.

66 Portland Pl, W1B 1AD

The RIBA building stands at the corner between Portland Place and Weymouth Street (Photo: Cmglee via Wikemedia / CC BY-SA 3)

Daimler  Car  Hire Garage

The Daimler Hire was a company that hired out chauffeur-driven luxury cars. It had its headquarters at 7 Herbrand Street, a four-storey concrete building with a distinctive horizontal motif contrasted only by a narrow tall window in its central section. To the right is the iconic spiralling ramp that best defines this building, and which served as the main entrance. Particularly remarkable are the continuous windows following the shape of the ramp. The Daimler Hire Car Garage was designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, who were also responsible for the Alaska Factory described below.

7 Herbrand St, WC1N 1AF

Alaska Factory

Dating back to 1869, this former sealskin factory is a curious throwback to Bermondsey’s industrial days. All that remains of the original building is a stone arch decorated with a relief of a seal, while the Art Deco tower standing at the back was added during the 1930s. Unlike much of Bermondsey, the factory survived World War II thanks, in part, to an unexploded bomb, but closed in the 1960s due to the declining popularity of fur coats. The building has been converted into apartments, and the elegant red letters ‘Alaska’ on its facade still command attention from passersby on Grange Road.

61 Grange Rd, SE1 3BA

Palladium House

Also known as Ideal House, this seven-storey office block was erected in 1928-29 as the London headquarters of the National Radiator Company. Ancient Egypt-inspired detailing and polished black granite are the first features to be noticed while looking at the facade, but the building wouldn’t look as chic without the gold and green decorations on the upper floors. Palladium House was declared a Grade II-listed building in 1981, and today it hosts private flats as well as a restaurant on the ground floor.

1-4 Argyll St, W1F 7LD

Golden and green details at the top of Palladium House (Photo: metro centric via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

The Daily Express Building

Once home to the British press, Fleet Street is also famous for its iconic buildings and architecture. The most striking of all is n°120, which housed the Daily Express until 1989. Its black facade features vitriolite and chromium panels, and distinctive rounded corners. An oval staircase and a remarkable pendant lamp stand out in the lobby, which is pure Art Deco joy in the form of plaster reliefs and silver decorations. Founded in 1930, the Daily Express Building remains the most futuristic architecture on Fleet Street.

2be, 120 Fleet Street, EC4A 2BE (closed to the public but may open during Open House London every September)

Rounded features on the former Daily Express building (Photo: Tony Hisgett via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Broadcasting House

This nine-storey building has been the headquarters to the BBC since opening in 1932. The impressive curved facade is its most defining feature, made of Portland stone and topped by a large clock. Above the entrance, a statue depicts ‘Prospero and Ariel’ from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, while ‘Ariel between Wisdom and Gaiety’ is the theme of another bas-relief to the side of the building. The Art Deco interior was designed by Australian-Irish architect Raymond McGrath. Today, Broadcasting House also comprises a glass-panelled wing completed in 2005 as part of an extensive refurbishment.

Portland Place, W1A 1AA

Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ (Photo: Matt Brown via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

The Coronet

Cheap drinks are the only good reason one needs to visit a Wetherspoons pub. The patterned carpets are soaked in years of passing feet and beer spills, but it wasn’t always that way at The Coronet on Holloway Road. Originally known as the Savoy, this was one of  many cinemas lining this street. But as larger televisions and home cinema units became more affordable, many cinemas, including the Savoy, were forced out of business. It held its last screening in 1983, and briefly turned into a snooker club before falling into disuse. The pub chain restored part of its former glory, making it the booze palace it is today.

338-346 Holloway Rd, N7 6NJ

Brockwell Lido

The 1930s were the golden age of British lidos, and their design was often influenced by the Art Deco aesthetic and modernist architecture. Brockwell Lido is one of the best examples surviving to this day. Its Olympic-sized swimming pool is circled by elegant, horizontal architecture. Located in Herne Hill, South London, the lido opened in 1937 and closed in 1990 due to cost-cutting plans by the council. It re-opened only four years later thanks to a local campaign, and today it’s still a very popular summer spot.

Brockwell Park, Dulwich Rd, SE24 0PA

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7 of the Best Art Deco Buildings in London

By Beau Peregoy

After a grand exhibition debut in Paris, it did not take long for the Art Deco craze to cross the English Channel and make its way to bustling London . From the mid-1920s to the mid-1930s, Art Deco architecture accentuated London’s image as a global hub of commerce and culture. Factories were constructed as statements of style, not merely as utilitarian workshops. Newspapers legitimized their operations with stately modern headquarters on Fleet Street. Even a royal palace was rebuilt in the Art Deco style. These seven buildings have been preserved to this day and should not be missed on your next trip to the city—they represent some of the finest architecture of prewar 20th-century London.

The Daily Express Building

This sleek Fleet Street landmark was built as a newspaper headquarters in 1932, at the height of Art Deco’s worldwide popularity. The Daily Express Building’s lobby features plaster reliefs by artist Eric Aumonier that depict figures and symbols of the British Empire at its commercial peak.

Carreras Cigarette Factory

The Carreras Cigarette Factory opened in 1928. Ancient Egypt is represented in this building’s bold motifs, proving just how well the aesthetics of antiquity could be integrated into the Art Deco movement.

Battersea Power Station

This former power station stands on the banks of the River Thames like a fortress from another world. Featuring four iconic white chimneys, the building is now at the center of a major civic renewal and development project.

The Daily Telegraph Building

Here's another Fleet Street newspaper headquarters. The Daily Telegraph Building features a stunning jewel-tone clock.

By Katherine McLaughlin

By Sam Cochran

By Elizabeth Yuko

Eltham Palace

Now a carefully preserved house museum, Eltham Palace once served as a royal residence and was given a complete interior renovation in the 1930s. The Art Deco finishes are a must-see.

The Dorchester

This world-famous five-star hotel opened in 1931. At the time, its creators envisioned it as the perfect hotel, complete with every modern convenience and fine luxury. Its Art Deco architecture has helped maintain that grandeur to this day.

Hoover Building

This Art Deco building inspired a 1980 Elvis Costello song called Hoover Factory.

By Cosmo Brockway

By Elizabeth Stamp

By Kelly Dawson

By Rachel Gallaher

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The Art Deco Guide to London

Jamie Ditaranto

Jamie Ditaranto is a traveler in a love triangle with writing and photography. Follow the drama on Twitter @jamieditaranto and Instagram @jamieditaranto .

Ditaranto joined SmarterTravel in 2015. She loves ecotourism, cities with history, and discovering local hangouts. Though she likes all the continents equally, she holds a special place in her heart for rainy little islands.

Her work has also appeared online at USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, and other publications. You can check out her photography on her website .

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "My instant camera comes in handy for giving instant gifts to new friends."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Befriending penguins in Antarctica."

Travel Motto : "You have to get the hard places out of the way first."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "On short flights, the window. For long flights, the aisle."

Email Jamie at [email protected] .

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Have you ever wondered what London was like in the roaring twenties? Imagine an Art Deco world of lively nightclubs, glamorously dressed people, and adorable buggy cars roaming the city—a world that for the first time blended industry with luxury, and had a lot of fun doing it. You might think it’s impossible to experience a night out in the 1920s almost a century later—but luckily for the modern traveler, the twenties left a lot behind.

The Art Deco style of architecture and design is loud and lavish, demanding to be seen and adored. The easiest way to spot Art Deco is to look for sleek lines and clean shapes, but more often than not, you’ll know it when you feel it. Here are recommendations for traveling back in time on a trip to London.

Art Deco in London

Luxury: 45 Park Lane is a luxe five-star hotel located across the street from Hyde Park. From its shining lobby to the grand rooms and suites, this hotel celebrates everything Art Deco with all the modern touches thrown in, including remote-control window shades. This hotel is our top pick for living out the full Art Deco dream.

Boutique: The Wellesley Knightsbridge is a small-yet-stylish hotel located in the city center. Formerly home to one of the most famous jazz venues in London, the property’s music legacy is celebrated throughout the hotel in its Art Deco style.

Budget: An affordable option, Green Rooms is located in the neighborhood of Wood Green. This hotel’s Art Deco draw is the building itself, while the interior is a celebration of all different styles of art.

Eltham Palace : Travel a little outside London for a tour of an Art Deco castle. While it looks medieval on the outside, the inside is a museum-like testament to the decadence of Art Deco style.

Senate House: For a taste of quintessential Art Deco architecture, stop by the University of London to visit the Senate House. This building is a famous Art Deco relic that’s been featured in films like The Dark Knight Rises, and inspired the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s novel 1984 .

Broadcasting House: The headquarters of the BBC, built in 1932, is another one of London’s Art Deco classics. Head inside to see many of the interior’s Art Deco details that still remain, starting with the marble reception area. You can even take a peek into the BBC newsroom.

Charles Holden Underground Stations: In London, Art Deco is all around you, and sometimes even under. Explore London by Tube and keep an eye out for stations designed by the great Art Deco architect Charles Holden . You can find the list of stations here .

CUT: Even if you’re not staying at 45 Park Lane, you can still try its glamorous restaurant, Wolfgang Puck’s CUT . It’s a luxurious and quiet spot to enjoy top-tier steak—reservations recommended.

Massimo Restaurant and Bar: For a grandiose meal in a matching setting, head to Massimo in Trafalgar Square to enjoy authentic Italian food in a high-ceilinged Art Deco dining room.

Brasserie Zedel: If you prefer a Parisian twist on your Art Deco vibes, Brasserie Zedel in Soho is a favorite for its French cuisine.

Quaglinos: One of the most visually striking restaurants in town, Quaglinos is located in the St. James’s District and makes a meal feel more like a high-end event.

The Blackfriar: Want a classic London pub with an Art Deco vibe? The BlackFriar was built on the site of a Dominican friary and boasts Art Noveau flair as well. You’ll also find a mix of great ales and jolly monk decor.

Fontaine’s Bar: In East London, this Art Deco bar is a great spot to try out classic cocktails and enjoy cabaret.

Nightjar: Mix some Art Deco glamor with a little bit of oddity at Nightjar , a mixology spot for trying experimental cocktails .

Rivoli Bar: For a luxurious drinking experience, head to Rivoli Bar at the Ritz London. Gilded walls, sparkling decor, and an eclectic selection of drinks make this an Art Deco bar at its most fabulous.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Best Things to Do in London
• How to See Sprawling London in Just a Weekend
• London vs. New York: Which City Should I Visit?

Jamie Ditaranto visited London as a guest of 45 Park Lane . Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto .

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13 of the most stunning art deco buildings in London

From a former seal skin factory to 'Hitler's dream headquarters' these are London's most magnificent buildings

• 05:00, 9 DEC 2018
• Updated 08:54, 18 DEC 2018

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High rise blocks are going up in London faster than you can blink , but for those who are fond of old architecture there's plenty to appreciate.

Art Deco was a decorative movement which took western Europe by storm in the 1920s and 30s . It symbolised luxury, glamour and exuberance and is often associated with slick surfaces and sharp lines.

The Empire State Building in New York is one of the most famous feats of Art Deco architecture but there are plenty of fine examples in London too.

Art Deco architecture is characterised by smooth surfaces, angular outlines and decorative elements which are often geometrical- think chevrons and zigzags.

If you're fed up of looking at the monotonous office blocks and towers of flats which are filling up London's skyline, these 13 Art Deco buildings are a breath of fresh air.

1. Senate House

Senate House, University of London, Malet St, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HU

This stunning ivory tower looms over Bloomsbury, Westminster and was rumoured to be where Hitler wished to make his headquarters if he won the war. The brainchild of Sir William Beveridge, Senate House was built to be the new home of the University of London. It was designed by architect Charles Holden who had to make it harmonise with surrounding buildings, which include The British Museum.

When was it built?

King George V laid the the foundation stone in 1932 and the building was completed in 1937.

How big is it?

What's it used for?

Senate House is the administrative centre of University of London and a library. Membership to the library is available to students and the general public. It also holds exhibitions, talks and events.

Visit Senate House's website to find out more, here.

2. Hoover Building

Hoover Building, Perivale, Greenford UB6 8DW

This large art deco building sits right on the A40 in Ealing and is hard to miss. It was built in the 1930s as a factory for the American vacuum cleaner company but is nowadays luxury flats . The grade II listed building was transformed into a supermarket in the 90s before it was taken over and turned into 66 apartments which have kept its original art deco features.

It opened as The American Hoover company in 1932.

254,000 ft sq

The iconic 1930s factory has been transformed into 66 luxury one, two and three-bed apartments which were snapped up quickly by art deco fans.

3. St Olaf House

27 Tooley St, London SE1 2PR

St Olaf House is a severe white stone building which sits on the the south banks of the Thames. It's moments away from London Bridge and was commissioned in the 1930s as the headquarters of Hay's Wharf Company. The company operated warehouses and wharves along the Thames and the building features panels, by British artist and sculptor Frank Dobson, which depict dockside scenes. It was built on the former site of St Olave's church and has the company's name Hay's Wharf' emblazoned in gilt lettering above its entrance.

The Grade II listed building was built between 1928 and 1932.

Nowadays St Olaf House houses London Bridge Hospital's Consulting and Administration Rooms.

4. The Daily Express Building

120 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BE

The Daily Express building stands out in Fleet Street, once the bustling hub of the British newspaper industry. It was built to house The Daily Express newspaper's London headquarters and is one of the capital's most iconic buildings to this day. It was English architect Sir Evan Owen Williams who chose to used black Vitrolite panels with chromium strips at the joints of the building which give its distinctive colour and streamlined appearance. The ground floor level features a wide entrance with chromed canopy designed by Robert Atkinson (1883 - 1952). The Daily Express name was spelt out above the entrance in large Art Deco style lettering. Its lobby was designed by Robert Atkinson and with its ornate plaster reliefs, by sculptor Eric Aumonier, it's one of the most impressive Art Deco interiors in Britain. After 50 years on Fleet Street the Daily Express left the building in 1989 and it remained vacant for years.

It was built between 1930 and 1932 and was a stark contrast to the other offices on Fleet Street.

75,600 ft sq

What is it used for?

After a major restoration in 2000 the building was let to Goldman Sachs bank.

5. Carreras Cigarette Factory

Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW

The colourful Carreras Cigarette Factory stands out like a sore, but beautiful, thumb in Camden's Mornington Crescent. The exotic building features black Egyptian cats, and large columns decorated at either end with bright designs. It was commissioned in the 1920s as The Carreras Factory Company's new headquarters but is nowadays better known as Arcadia Works. It was designed by architects Marcus Evelyn Collins and Owen Hyman Collins and is one of most extraordinary examples of art deco architecture in London today.

The factory was built between 1926 and 1928.

550 ft long

Carreras cigarette company was taken over by Rembrandt Tobacco Company in 1958 and relocated outside of London. The Greater London Council took charge of the empty factory and it was converted into offices in the 1960s. During this time it was stripped of its original Egyptian features but was restored to its full art deco glory in 1996 after it was bought by Resolution GLH. It's used as offices to this day and houses the British Heart Foundation, Young & Rubicam advertising agency, ASOS.com, Wunderman, WPP, Revlon, Radley + Co among others.

6. Eltham Palace

Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London, SE9 5QE

Eltham Palace is a mishmash of architectural movements. It began life as a medieval and Tudor palace before becoming a 1930s millionaire's home. The building was transformed into a masterpiece of 20th century design by aristocrat couple Stephen and Virginia Courthauld in 1933. They leased the derelict building from the queen for 99 years and commissioned architects to build a modern home on the site of the 19th century buildings. It was given a modern facade and was filled throughout with art deco touches, including heated sleeping quarters for the Courthaulds' pet lima. Its 1470s Great Hall is one of the palace's key attractions and the home has a 1930s garden to this day.

Eltham Palace has been around since 1086, when it was a moated manor. It was taken over by the Courthaulds in 1933 and converted into the modern masterpiece it is today.

Eltham Palce has more than a thousand of acres of surrounding parkland and the home's grand hall alone measures 30.8 m long by 10.9 m wide.

It's owned by the Crown Estate and has been managed by English Heritage since 1995. Members of the public have been able to visit the home since 1999. You can find out more about visiting Eltham Palace on its website here.

7.The Dorchester

53 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA

The Dorchester in Park Lane is at the centre of Mayfair and at the pinnacle of luxury hotels. It opened its doors to the public in the early 1930s and has kept its art deco furnishings to this day. It's plain concrete front and decorative balconies are less remarkable than other contemporary buildings but its interior is extraordinary. Designers William Curtis Green, Oliver Ford, Alberto Pinto and Oliver Messel have all had their in put over the years but have kept the hotel's lavish lobby, ball room, bars and restaurants in true 1930s style. From ivory wall panels to Corinthian columns its a subtle mix of everything art deco.

250 bedrooms

It's a five-star hotel and hosts events, dinners and afternoon tea to this day.

8. The Daimler Hire Car Company building

7 Herbrand Street, London, WC1N 1EX

The former car hire garage is an art deco treasure slap bang in the centre of Bloomsbury. It was designed by Gilbert and Partners who were the architects behind the Hoover building and is a short walk from Russell Square. The bright white building was the headquarters of the Daimler Hire Car Company where the rich and famous would buy their wheels. Its distinctive spiralling ramp is at the buildings centre and gave cars access to the private parking at the top of the building.

It was completed in 1931.

Four floors (9 floors above ground and 3 below)

After the garage passed out of Daimler's hands it was used as a London bus station for a while. But following a multi-million pound renovation the garage was taken over by the advertising agency McCann Erikson.

9. Broadcasting House

Portland Pl, Marylebone, London W1A 1AA

The grand stone building nestled behind Oxford Street is the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) original headquarters. It was designed by architect G Val Myer and was the first building commissioned to house radio broadcasting in Britain.

Broadcasting House's stand-out features include its Portland stone exterior and an ornamental clock tower. There's an Eric Gill sculpture above its main entrance that depicts characters fro Shakespeare's play The Tempest.

A massive renovation to the BBC news studios was completed at Broadcasting House in 2013.

Construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1932.

It houses BBC News offices to this day.

10. Palladium House

104 Argyll St, Soho, London W1F 7LD

This Grade II-listed building was once the headquarters of the National Radiator company. Architects Raymond Hood and Gordon Jeeves designed it at the end of the1920s and it was scaled down version of the American Radiator Building in New York. It used to be known as Ideal House and its granite exterior and bright inlaid window arches mean it still stands out in London's bustling West End.

Construction started in 1928 and was finished in 1929.

How big is is it?

Seven floors

It has two restaurants on the ground floor and private flats above.

11. RIBA 66, Portland Place

66 Portland Pl, Marylebone, London W1B 1NT

It's fitting that the Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) is housed in a noteworthy building. The large Portland Place block has been the home of British architecture since 1932. It was designed by British architect George Grey Wornum who won a competition to complete the building to mark RIBA's centenary. Its exterior is clad in Portland stone and the main entrance has the main entrance, with heavy, bronze double doors. The building has large bay windows with bronze bars and has a relief of a figure by South African-born British sculptor Edward Bainbridge Copnall.

The foundation stone was laid in 1933 and it was officially opened by King George V in 1934.

Six floors.

66 Portland Place is still RIBA's headquarters, it's also home of the British Architectural Library, the RIBA Bookshop, gallery and café.

Find out more about visiting 66 Portland Place on its website here.

12. Alaska Factory

3ba, 61 Grange Rd, London SE1 3BA

The Alaska Factory was built on seal skin - believe it or not the brick Bermondsey block was constructed for a fur-skin merchant. Fur coats were popular garb in the 1930s and the Alaska Factory was where the pelts were dyed and treated before being sold. The factory's art deco features include a white tower and an ornate stone arch with a seal carving and a sign that reads "Alaska" in red letters.

The original factory built in 1869 for treating Alaskan seal fur but the white art deco tower were designed by Hoover building creators Wallis Gilbert and Partners, was added in 1930.

The Alaska Factory is now luxury flats.

13. Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station, 1 Circus Road West, London SW11 8EZ

Battersea Power Station's four white chimneys make it instantly recognisable. It sits south of the Thames at the centre of London's massive Nine elms development. It used to supply most of London's electricity and was built in several stages but the first part was finished in the 1930s. It's one of the world's largest brick buildings and when it first opened its interior was decked out with lavish art deco fittings. After the power station closed in the 80s it was left to decay and lost much of its former lustre.

The building's dimensions measure 160 metres by 170 metres, with the roof of the boiler house standing at over 50 metres.

The first part of the coal-fired power station was built in the 1930s and the second went up in the 1950s.

The power station itself is currently undergoing refurbishment but tech giant Apple is planning to make it its UK headquarters in 2021. Shops and restaurants have begun to open in the 42-acre site which is hoping to become a new hub of activity south of the river.

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Find all the art deco buildings in London on this handy map

Love maps? Love architecture? It's your lucky day. The folks who created the Brutalist London map  have stepped back even further in time, this time turning their attention to London's art deco buildings.

The era is known for its geometric shapes, chevron patterns and bright colours, which were a big hit in the 1920s and '30s and the inspiration behind many tube stations, cinemas and theatres in London. The map features more than 70 art deco buildings in London, inculding Eltham Palace, the Hoover building and the Adelphi theatre. The two-sided map features information on each building including the address, the architect and details of its listed status, as well as an art deco-styled map on the other side, which pinpoints the location of each building.

The Art Deco London map is £8 – buy it here .

Want more cool maps?  This incredible hand-drawn map of London is now on show in Notting Hill

This interactive map showing London's murder hotspots is a teeny bit terrifying

Someone's created a map of places where you can get cheap sushi

• Isabelle Aron Features Editor, Time Out London

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• Art Deco London

London Art Deco

Claridge's foyer, what is art deco, park lane hotel, art deco architecture, art deco london listing.

• London Attractions

Decadence Discovered: Art Deco London offers style, sophistication and sights galore

Daniel Allen

Delicate smoked salmon sandwiches, heavenly pastries laden with dark chocolate, rich raisin and apple scones with thick clotted cream - tea at Claridge's in London is the last word in taste and luxury. But what really makes this one of the capital's most treasured experiences for visitors is the surroundings. The hotel's Art Deco Foyer, under the Lady Gaga-esque silvery "light sculpture", is a dream for lovers of quintessential English afternoon indulgence.

"For me afternoon tea at Claridge's Foyer is one of the ultimate London treats," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman of Art Deco Decadence, a UK-based consultancy specializing in Art Deco design and customized shopping trips.

"Located on the ground floor of the hotel, the Foyer is a glorious Art Deco jewel. Red leather banquettes, gold pillars, fine chandeliers and gilt-trimmed mirrors are crowned by a stupendous Dale Chihuly silver-white light sculpture, assembled from more than 800 hand-blown glass pieces. It takes my breath away every time."

The Art Deco style belongs to a world of glamour, luxury and risqué attitudes - at its most popular and prevalent during the inter-war, golden years of the 1920s and 30s when liberated gin-and-jazz culture was also at its height. The very term conjures up a multitude of romantic images: huge ocean liners gliding effortlessly across moonlit seas, the kiss of cocktail glasses in a chrome-clad bar, the sounds of big band jazz band emanating from a sumptuously decorated ballroom.

"In London and beyond, Art Deco was one of the most appealing and influential artistic movements of the past century," says Guy Oliver, an architecture and design specialist who has acted as consultant to Claridge's hotel for nearly 20 years.

"It was born in an age of great socio-economic change and technological progress. Art Deco's streamlined forms and innovative use of materials such as metal and glass were designed to be futuristic, and to evoke the speed of newly developed cars and airplanes. Artists and designers also took inspiration from a diversity of historic sources, employing geometric patterns from civilizations such as the Aztecs and ancient Egyptians.

"It was this fusion of history and modernity that gave Art Deco its unique character. Ultimately, this world of exuberance, vitality and beauty was a world of fantasy, a world as escapist as any of the Hollywood musicals of the same era. Today its legacy remains one of great beauty, craft and imagination."

While many of London's finest hotels display some superb examples of Art Deco architecture and interior décor, the design style actually originated across the English Channel in Paris. It was there that a fertile concentration of pioneering French artists and designers such as Le Corbusier, Robert Mallet-Stevens, Rene Lalique, Émile - Jacques Ruhlmann and Coco Chanel helped crystallize and drive the Art Deco movement forward.

"The term 'Art Deco' is taken from the name of a seminal 1925 Paris exhibition titled 'Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes'," explains Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "The most popular and respected French artists of the day showcased their work at this exhibition. They helped to define a style that would soon spread across the globe, from Shanghai in the East to New York and Los Angeles in the West."

In the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s, a host of London's architects incorporated Art Deco into their designs, which included everything from upmarket hotels and office blocks to cinemas and subway stations. While some purists decried its extravagance and superficiality, post-war British society quickly fell in love with the style, relishing its affordability, sophistication and association with hedonistic excess. It was symbolic of the strong economy, and inspired hope for a prosperous future.

It was during this era that another of London's most luxurious establishments was erected - the Park Lane Hotel. Arguably the capital's most authentic Art Deco property, it was completed in 1927, and the hotel's ballroom soon became the hangout of choice for socialites, celebrities and the aristocracy.

"The Park Lane Hotel Ballroom is just stunning," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "There are Art Deco gems in every area of the hotel, but this area is very special. When Sheraton bought the hotel in 1996 they commissioned specialist craftsmen from around the world to bring back its original grandeur - look out for the chariot-lined walls in the Silver Gallery, which was restored by silver gilders from Italy. This ballroom complex has set the scene for films including James Bond's Goldeneye , Revolver by Guy Ritchie, and The Golden Compass with Nicole Kidman."

The Park Lane Hotel is also home to The Palm Court , one of London's most prestigious lounges. "This stylish environment transports patrons back to a bygone era of style and elegance," says Sarah Whitham, the hotel's PR executive. "The Palm Court is the very epitomy of Art Deco chic, decorated in pale green and gold leaf, with large oriental-style murals on the walls and stunning glass ceiling.  The iconic bar at the far end is the ideal place for an early evening cocktail."

One of The Palm Court's most popular offerings is its Art Deco Afternoon Tea, which includes a glass of Mumm Champagne, French pastries, and a choice of teas from the Park Lane Tea Selection, of which the organic silver needle white tea from China (白毫银针) is a perennial favorite. The Palm Court was awarded the "Award of Excellence" in the UK Tea Guide for 2010, recognizing it as one of the very best venues for afternoon tea in London.

Fascination with Art Deco recently received a boost with the restoration of yet another of the capital's institutions - The Savoy. The Saudi-owned luxury hotel re-opened its doors last October after undergoing the most ambitious revamp in British history, taking nearly three years and costing a cool £220 million.

Celebrated French designer Pierre Yves Rochon led the restoration project, revitalizing The Savoy's core Art Deco style while infusing a modern touch and the integration of state-of-the-art facilities. The Savoy Court Entrance is now classic Art Deco, with a new crystal fountain centerpiece commissioned from Lalique. Guests may be surprised to know that access to the hotel is gained by the only street in Britain where vehicles must drive on the right.

A new addition to The Savoy - the Beaufort Bar - is unashamedly glamorous. Inexplicably used as a standard meeting and storage room prior to the refurbishment, the new bar incorporates the hotel's former cabaret stage as the centerpiece to a theatrical, Art Deco space, with sumptuous black velvet furnishings and £40,000 of gold leaf on the walls.

The Savoy's celebrated Thames Foyer remains the heart of the hotel. It now boasts a stunning glass domed roof, and is flooded with natural light on even the darkest of winter days. Beneath the dome there's a winter garden gazebo (resembling an enormous birdcage) from where the hotel pianist serenades guests taking afternoon tea.

"Like Claridge's, afternoon tea at The Savoy is always a special occasion," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "The tea keeps flowing, the scones and clotted cream melt your cares away, and the sandwich tray is never empty. The service, needless to say, is impeccable.

"A hundred years of classic glamour and rich tradition - The Savoy is the perfect venue to have tea before going out to a West End theatre. If you go on to dine in the Savoy Grill restaurant, and there are 13 people, then Kasper - the Savoy's famous black Art Deco cat - has to join the table just for luck."

Visitors to London who wish to view examples British Art Deco architecture in a less refined, more public environment will find a range of beautiful buildings dotted around the capital. From BBC Broadcasting House with its beautiful exterior sculptures to the East Stand of Arsenal Football Club's former stadium, there's more than enough to see to make a dedicated tour worthwhile.

"One of my favorite Art Deco structures in London is the Daily Express Building on Fleet Street," says Guy Oliver. "This beautifully minimalist building is made of  black glass, clear glass and chromium highlighting. If you're lucky enough to see inside, look out for the wonderful Art Deco entrance hall with its ripple lighting and clock surrounded by gleaming chrome."

Another London Art Deco icon is Battersea Power Station , dating back to the 1930s. Although it currently stands derelict, it still dominates views of the River Thames at Chelsea Bridge. Regularly passed by thousands of London commuters every day on the train, it was made famous by the Beatles, who included a shot in their 1965 movie Help! , and Pink Floyd, for whom it appeared on the cover of their 1977 album Animals.

" Battersea has an austere shape, but is pure Art Deco in its symmetrical simplicity," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "It has stepped brickwork rather than stonework, and there's a ziggurat style to the four corner towers. The Art Deco styling is at its most refined in the main entrance hall, where the marble floor and decorated wood features now seem extravagant for a purely industrial building."

After all the sightseeing, those inspired to pick up an Art Deco souvenir or gift have a range of shopping options. "There are many great places to pick up beautiful Art Deco items in London," says  Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "The Burlington Arcade , Britain's very first shopping arcade that opened in 1819, is an oasis of calm packed with luxurious objets d'art. The antique markets of Alfie's and Gray's are good for a bargain, but it's best to go with an expert.  Another Art Deco paradise is Camden Passage in North London, where trading is mostly done on Wednesdays and Saturdays."

Nearly a century after Art Deco first began to appear in the shops, homes and architecture of London, its appeal remains as strong as ever, and the style continues to influence contemporary artists and designers. A classic example of Art Deco revivalism can be seen in London's MI6 Headquarters Building , completed in 1995. With its setback style and highly detailed facade, it rises from the river Thames like the fantasy stage set of a 1930s Hollywood spectacular.

"People often ask me if I think the love and passion of Art Deco remains," says Paul Nicholls-Whiteman. "Of course it does. In its heyday Art Deco covered the world in its divine curves, and there are still so many iconic buildings around the world, in Paris, Shanghai, New York, Miami and so on. For the ultimate in refined Art Deco experiences, though, I truly believe London remains a cut above."

Art Deco Eating & Sleeping

www.claridges.co.uk

• Sheraton Park Lane Hotel

www.sheratonparklane.com (Palm Court: www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk )

www.fairmont.com/savoy

Art Deco Shopping

• Burlington Arcade

www.burlington-arcade.co.uk

• Camden Passage

www.camdenpassageislington.co.uk

• Alfie's Antique Market

www.alfiesantiques.com

• Gray's Antique's

www.graysantiques.com

Art Deco Tours

• London Art Deco Tours:

www.londoncountrytours.co.uk/londonartdeco.htm

• BBC Broadcasting House Tours:

www.bbc.co.uk

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A collection of London’s best Art Deco and early modernist architecture

by Mark | January 17, 2021 | England | 4 comments

Art Deco was a style that emerged in France prior to the First World War and really took off in Britain, Europe and the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. More than just architecture, Art Deco represented a lifestyle, one of luxury and glamour, and its influence transcended many aspects of the ‘20s and ‘30s, including fashion, art and transportation as well as everyday items such as furniture and household objects.

Unlike brutalist and, to a lesser extent, post-war modernist architecture, there is no Marmite effect when it comes to Art Deco. In other words, it’s not one of those things that you either love or hate but there’s no in-between. For most, the curvaceous style, as well as the elegant bygone era that it harks back to, has instant appeal and although there may be those who are indifferent towards it, I would be surprised if there were people out there who are completely averse to Art Deco.

There are some informative books, maps and online resources dedicated to London’s remaining Art Deco and early modernist buildings so I’ll continue this introduction with just a few more key points.

Art Deco is a shortened version of Arts Décoratifs and the origins of the term is derived from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) in Paris, which was put on by the French government to showcase what was known as Style Moderne in France. The trade fair, which ran from April to October of that year, included 15,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and attracted in the region of 16 million visitors. It was the greatest EXPO of the decade.

Not surprisingly, there are elements of Art Nouveau (circa 1890 to 1910), the preceding style, in early examples of Art Deco and towards the later years a sleeker, more scientific-looking form appeared which is known as Streamline Moderne. Inspired by aerodynamics and making abundant use of new materials at the time such as stainless steel and chrome plating, for us personally, this is the most seductive form of Art Deco. Unfortunately for us, however, America is the best place to find this particular genre and we have no plans to travel there anytime soon. Probably the best example of Streamline Moderne in London is the Daily Express Building, which we did go and see and is coming up later in this post.

The beginning of World War II in 1939 saw an end to the Art Deco period as the need for functional architecture became a priority.

The distinction between Art Deco and early modernism can often be blurred as there are many similarities between the two. We tend to put any building that doesn’t clearly show the characteristics of Art Deco yet dates between 1900 and 1945 into the bracket of early modernism. This is a reasonable presumption to make as modern architecture emerged towards the end of the 19th century as an alternative to the Neoclassical style that had dominated architecture in Europe and the United States from the mid-18th century until this time.

Map showing some of the best Art Deco and early modernist architecture in London

ODEON Covent Garden

135 Shaftesbury Ave, Covent Garden, London WC2H 8AH Constructed 1930-1931 Architects T.P. Bennett & Son with Bertie Crewe (architects) and Gilbert Bayes (sculptor) Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Named the Saville Theatre when it was constructed, the building served as a playhouse until the end of the 1960s. In 1965, the theatre was leased by The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, and Sunday night concerts featured on the bill including performances by The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and The Beatles themselves. Its function changed to that of a cinema in 1970 when EMI purchased the building. 

The superbly-detailed 40-metre sculpted frieze on the structure’s facade is called “Drama through the Ages”. It was the work of the English sculptor, Gilbert Bayes, who was associated with the British New Sculpture movement and responsible for the 1928 “Queen of Time” sculpture and clock above the main entrance to Selfridges on Oxford Street.

In early 2019, plans by the then-owners of the building (not Odeon) to convert the site into a hotel and leisure complex, which included the proposal of adding three floors of rooftop glass extensions, were rejected by Camden Council. Subsequently, the owners appealed against the decision but Camden Council upheld it in March 2021. 

Welcome news came a few months later, in October 2021, when it was announced that Yoo Capital, a London-based real estate investment firm, had acquired the building. Their intention is to revamp the interior by removing the 4-screen cinema and turn the venue back into a theatre. Any redevelopment must conserve and restore the Grade II listed building’s architectural features including the sculpted frieze. 

Michelin House

81 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 6RD Completed 1911 Architect François Espinasse Style: Art Nouveau/Art Deco Grade II Listed

François Espinasse, the architect for this highly-decorative building in Chelsea was an engineer who worked for Michelin at their French headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand. The tiled-artwork advertising the use of the company’s tyres on various forms of transport were hand-painted by a French artist called Edouard Montau, whereas the larger stained-glass images depicting the Michelin Man were originally by Marius Rousillon, another French artist/cartoonist. The latter are, in fact, replicas as the originals were packed and sent to the company’s factory in Stoke-on-Trent in 1940 to safeguard them from potential German bombs during World War II. Despite efforts, they were never recovered and new ones were meticulously created when the new owners, the publisher Paul Hamlyn and designer Terence Conran, acquired the building in 1985 for £8 million.

It is argued that Michelin House is a building ahead of its time. Designed at the end of the Art Nouveau period, the premises also have strong elements of Art Deco which was only really just taking off around this time.

As an aside, the correct title for the Michelin Man is “Bibendum”, Michelin’s official mascot. He was introduced in 1894 at the Lyon Expo and is one of the world’s oldest and most recognisable trademarks.

National Audit Office

157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London SW1W 9SP Completed 1939 Architect Albert Lakeman Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Before becoming the London headquarters of the National Audit Office in 1986, 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road was the Empire Terminal of Imperial Airways, a predecessor for what is now British Airways. Passengers, who, in the early days, were predominately colonial administrators and businessmen heading to territories of the British Empire such as South Africa, Indian and Australia etc. were checked in at the terminal before being taken via a private basement walkway directly to platform 19 of what is now Victoria station, but back then was called Southern Railway station. A special train service would then transfer them to Southampton on the south coast from where they would begin their journey by flying boat to the outer reaches of the Commonwealth. The journey to Sydney in Australia, for example, took 10 days to complete with 9 overnight stops en route.

Croydon Airport, Britain’s only International airport during the interwar years, was used for flights to Europe and customers were taken there by coach.

In 1940, Imperial Airways were nationalised and became British Overseas Air Corporation (BOAC). The building served as the terminal of BOAC and then for British Airways, thereafter. It ceased functioning in its original capacity in 1980, mainly due to the continued expansion of Heathrow Airport which included improved direct transport links to the centre of London.

The winged figures encompassing a globe above the main entrance, by sculptor Eric Broadbent, is an expression of the building’s original use.

Florin Court

6-9 Charterhouse Square, Barbican, London EC1M 6EU Completed 1936 Architects Guy Morgan and Partners Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Guy Morgan worked for the well-known architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, before setting up his own practice in 1927. The apartment building was used as a filming location for the fictional London residences of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot (Whitehaven Mansions) in the 1989-2013 LWT television series of the same name.

Westminster School Sports Centre

Greycoat St, Westminster, London SW1P 2QD Constructed 1925-1928 Architects Murray Easton and Howard Robertson (Easton & Robertson) Style: Art Deco/Modernist Grade II* Listed

Originally called Lawrence Hall, this modernist building was one of two horticultural halls belonging to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), with the other being Lindley Hall which is close by and was built in 1904. The premises were leased to Westminster School in 2011 for 999 years. The school turned the 46-metre-long hall into a sports centre but one stipulation of the agreement was that the RHS was permitted to use it for four flower shows annually. The hall is also used as a conference venue and has been rented out as a filming location and featured in, among others, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the BBC’s Killing Eve.

Palladium House

1-4 Argyll St, Soho, London W1F 7LD Constructed 1928-1929 Architects Raymond Hood and Gordon Jeeves Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

With a polished black granite facing and gold trimmings, Ideal House, as it was originally known, was constructed as the London headquarters and showroom of the National Radiator Company. The black and gold colour scheme symbolises coal and flames as a subtle means of advertising the clients’ business. The early skyscraper is a scaled-down version of the 1924 American Radiator Building in New York, which was also the work of the American architect, Raymond Hood.

Greater London House

180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW Constructed 1926-1928 Architects M.E. Collins, O.H. Collins and A.G. Porri Style: Art Deco

Originally constructed as the Carreras cigarette factory, the building dates back to 1928. The black cats either side of the main entrance are replicas of the originals and were added during a 1996 renovation project. The overall design of the building was inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.

Daily Express Building

120 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BE Constructed 1930-1932 Architects Ellis and Clarke with Sir Owen Williams Style: Art Deco Grade II* Listed

With its distinctive black and chrome curtain wall facade, the former London headquarters of the Daily Express newspaper at 120 Fleet Street is one of the most renowned examples of Streamline Moderne Art Deco architecture in the capital. The lobby, which includes a magnificent oval staircase, is equally as impressive as the exterior but is rarely open to the public. As part of a larger redevelopment plan for the surrounding area, the building was modified by John Robertson Architects between 1998 and 2000. During the refurbishment, the 1930s frame structure was maintained and old photographs were used to revamp the entrance hall. Two other similarly-designed Daily Express buildings were constructed around the same time in the UK, one in Glasgow (1936) and the other in Manchester (1939). In both instances, the architect was Sir Owen Williams.

As for the Fleet Street building, the newspaper group relocated in 1989 and the property remained vacant until after the 2000 renovation project, when the investment company, Goldman Sachs, moved in.

2 Willow Road

2 Willow Road, Hampstead, London NW3 1TH Completed 1939 Architect Ernö Goldfinger Style: Modernism

Located on the southwestern edge of Hampstead Heath, 2 Willow Road is of note because it was the family home of architect, Ernö Goldfinger. Known for shaping the brutalist landscape of London after the Second World War, the Hungarian-born architect’s’ repertoire includes Trellick Tower in Kensal Green, Balfron Tower, Carradale House and Glenkerry House (all in Poplar, East London) as well as Alexander Fleming House in Southwark, now renamed Metro Central Heights.

He also designed his own home as part of a terrace of three houses, which he lived in until his death in 1987. Several cottages were demolished to make way for Goldfinger’s new home and this gave rise to objections from a number of local residents. One of these was the author, Ian Fleming and it is said that he got his inspiration for the Bond villain, Auric Goldfinger, from Ernö Goldfinger. The story goes that when the book was released in 1959, Ernö Goldfinger instructed his lawyer to contact Fleming via his publisher and the novelist retaliated by saying he would change the name of the character to ‘Goldprick’. Ultimately, neither party took the matter further but Fleming’s publisher agreed to foot the bill for Ernö Goldfinger costs, plus they send him half a dozen free copies of the book!

Numbers 1 and 3 Willow Road remain private homes whereas number 2 has been owned by the National Trust since 1995 and is now a museum.

Lambeth Fire Station

8 Albert Embankment, Prince’s, London SE1 7SD Completed 1937 Architects E.P. Wheeler, G. Weald (architects). G. Bayes, S. Babb and F.P. Morton (sculptors) Style: Modernism Grade II Listed

Built as the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade (LFB), the original complex included a river fire station with pontoon, which is situated across the street on the River Thames. It is still in use but has been remodelled since its first conception. During World War II, London’s fire-fighting operations were coordinated from a control centre beneath the building, which was designed to take a direct hit and withstand a gas attack. As it turned out, the structure survived the Blitz unscathed.

The LBF moved its headquarters to neighbouring Southwark in 2007 and the building became Lambeth Fire Station. After several years of wrangling, as of 2019, a planning application has now been approved to redevelop the site. This will include a new fire station, an LFB museum, a 200-bed hotel and retail space as well as over 400 new homes (the site is bigger than it looks!). The listed riverfront building will be retained, although the plan is to add a rooftop restaurant in the form of a single-storey glass extension, which has raised some objections.

Victoria Coach Station

164 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London, SW1W 9TP Constructed 1931-1932 Architects Wallis, Gilbert and Partners Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Built for London Coastal Coaches Ltd, the original 1.25 acres site near Victoria train station, comprised a booking hall, shops, a lounge bar and a 200-seat restaurant. Part of the first floor was taken up with company offices and the yard was able to accommodate 76 vehicles, making it the largest bus depot in the country at the time.

The owners of the freehold, Grosvenor Estate, announced in 2013 that they wanted to redevelop the site, which would have meant moving the bus station elsewhere. But, not long after the declaration was made, the building was afforded protection by being awarded Grade II heritage status ((September 2014) by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.

Former Daimler Car Hire Garage

7 Herbrand Street, London, WC1N 1EX Constructed 1931-1933 Architects Wallis, Gilbert and Partners Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

When first constructed, the basement of this tucked-away Art Deco building in prestigious Bloomsbury served as a private car park while the upper level was used to house Daimler’s own fleet of vehicles. The automobile manufacturer used the cars as a backup service for Daimler owners whose own car had broken down as well as for general hire.

Access to each storey was via a spiralling ramp (to the right of the building if facing it), which no longer exists but would have been visible at street level through the large metal-framed windows. The private car park was served by a similar ramp to the left of the main entrance.

After Daimler vacated the building, it became a taxi and coach garage with Frames Tours Ltd having use of the basement while London Taxi Centre occupied the other floors. Eventually, the premises were converted into office space, which included adding an additional storey, and the global advertising agency, McCann Erickson, moved in. When we visited in November 2020, the McCann Erickson sign above the entrance had been taken down and the building appeared to be empty.

The architectural partnership responsible for the design of the building, Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, created many Art Deco buildings in the UK during the 1920s and 1930s, including the Hoover building in Perivale, West London (which we haven’t seen yet but is high on our list to visit), the former offices of the General Electric Company in Birmingham as well as Victoria Coach Station, which features a little later on in this post.

Page Street Social Housing

Page Street, Westminster, London SW1P 4EZ Constructed 1928-1930 Architect Edwin Lutyens Style: Modernism Grade II Listed (Rogers House)

Edwin Lutyens is probably best known for The Cenotaph in Whitehall, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin and as the lead architect behind the creation of New Delhi during the time of the British Raj. However, Lutyens worked on many more projects, both at home and overseas including these tenement-style housing units in the heart of Pimlico. At the time, Pimlico was part of the Grosvenor Estate (the estate sold most of Pimlico in 1952), which leased the land to Westminster City Council for a peppercorn rent and also provided in the region of £120,000 towards its development on the condition that the land and the money were used to construct housing for the working classes. Lutyens was commissioned to design the apartment buildings as part of the Westminster Housing Scheme.

The buildings stand out, not only because of who the architect was but also for their unusual chessboard-like facade.

East Finchley Tube Station

High Rd, East Finchley, London N2 0NW Completed 1939 Architect Charles Holden and L H Bucknell Style: Modernism Grade II Listed

Along with the two semi-circular stairways, the most striking element of East Finchley Tube Station is “The Archer”. The work of Eric Aumonier, the sculpture was unveiled in 1940 and symbolises Finchley’s association with hunting in the Royal Forest of Enfield. It is also said that the archer embodies the modern underground system and is ‘shooting’ the commuter in the direction of central London.

Charles Holden was a prominent London architect throughout the 1920s and 1930s and is well known for designing many of the city’s Underground stations during that period. These include Piccadilly Circus, Southgate, Arnos Grove and Acton Town (all on the Piccadilly line) as well as Bond Street, Highgate and Mansion House. Holden was also responsible for the magnificent 55 Broadway (see below).

Fox Fine Wines & Spirits

118 London Wall, London EC2Y 5JA Completed 1937 Fitters E.Pollard and Co Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

The original premises of Fox Umbrellas (est.1868), the Fox Fine Wine & Spirits building is a rare example of a 1930s shopfront, of which there are very few left in London these days. Located on the ground floor of a four-storey 19th-century terraced house, the shop’s facade incorporates black Vitrolite, a pigmented structural glass widely used in Art Deco buildings, with curved non-reflective plate glass windows and stainless-steel surrounds.

Fox Umbrellas are still going strong and are now located in Croydon, Surrey.

Broadcasting House

Portland Place, London, W1A 1AA Constructed 1928-1932 Architects George Val Myer and Watson Hart Style: Art Deco Grade II* Listed

Although Broadcasting House has been extensively renovated and extended over the years, the headquarters of the BBC has retained many of its period features, including the collection of sculptures on the building’s facade by distinguished artists at the time such as Eric Gill and Gilbert Bayes.

The sculpture above the main entrance, by Eric Gill, is of Prospero and Ariel, from Shakespeare’s last play The Tempest. Ariel, a spirit of the air, was chosen as the symbol of the airwaves by the BBC and the artwork represents Prospero sending (transmitting) Ariel into the outside world. There was controversy over the size of Ariel’s manhood when the sculpture was unveiled, with Gill reportedly, although this is not substantiated, bowing to pressure and chiselling it down in size. As for Eric Gill himself, during his lifetime (1882-1940) he rose to become a well-respected sculptor but, after his death, his diaries and a 1989 biography revealed a dark side to his personal life which included incestuous affairs with his sisters, sexual abuse of his two eldest teenage daughters, and acts of bestiality on his dog.

Shell Mex House

80 Strand, London WC2R 0DT Completed 1932 Architects Frances Milton Cashmore for Messrs Joseph Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Also known as 80 Strand, the building was constructed for Shell-Mex and BP Ltd, a joint marketing venture between the two petroleum giants which was established in 1932 and discontinued in 1976. Today, it is mostly occupied by the publishing company, Pearson plc. The clock, which used to be nicknamed “Big Benzene”, has the largest clock face in the UK. At 7.62 metres in diameter, the clock is 62 centimetres larger than the one on nearby Big Ben.

Vue West End

Square, 3 Cranbourn Street Leicester, London WC2H 7AL Completed 1938 Architects Thomas Somerford, Edward Stone (architects) and Edward Bainbridge Copnall (sculptor) Style: Art Deco

Located on the northeast corner of Leicester Square, the Warner Theatre, as it was known back then, was built on the site of the Daly’s Theatre which had been there since 1893. The reconstructed marble facade is fronted by a central tower which used to have Warner’s name running down it, and is flanked by two sculptures that represent the spirits of sight and sound.

During the 1980s, the building was all but demolished and rebuilt as a nine-screen multiplex cinema. The original frontage was retained, however, and it has been operated by Vue International since 2003.

55 Broadway (former London Underground Headquarters)

55 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1H 0BD Constructed 1927-1929 Architect Charles Holden Style: Art Deco Grade I Listed

55 Broadway was constructed as the new head office of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London (UERL), the forerunner for what is now London Underground/Transport for London (TfL). Known as the ‘skyscraper of London’ in its early days, the American-inspired building was the tallest office block in the capital when it was completed in 1929.

There are ten commissioned sculpted artworks on the building, including three by Eric Gill, mentioned above. As with Broadcasting House, there was some controversy over a couple of the sculptures created and, yet again, the outrage was manhood-related. “Day” and “Night” by Jacob Epstein were what caused the scandal on this occasion, with the young boy depicted in “Day” creating the biggest fuss. So much so, in fact, that the managing director of UERL at the time offered his resignation and Epstein, himself, agreed to remove almost 4cm from the offending ‘object’. It probably didn’t help that the boy’s member generated a gush of water that fell on the heads of passers-by!

Since 2015 the transport body has been slowly migrating to their new premises at the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, a task that was finally completed in January 2020. In May 2020, Westminster City Council gave heritage-led planning permission for the building to be turned into a luxury hotel operated by Blue Orchid Hotels, a subsidiary of Integrity International.

Daily Telegraph Building

141 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BJ Completed 1928 Architects Charles Ernest Elcock with Thomas S. Tait Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Also known as Peterborough House, the Telegraph moved to new premises in the 1980s and, as with the nearby Daily Express building, is also currently occupied by Goldman Sachs.

In keeping with Fleet Street tradition, the building’s dominating feature is its colourful clock, which is enhanced by Egyptian motifs. The twin “Mercuries” above the entrance are the work of sculptor, Alfred Oakley, and symbolise the distribution of news to the corners of the British Empire, whereas, the two sculptures that flank either side of the 6-storey building are entitled “The Past” and “The Future” and are representative of the newspaper’s maxim – “Was, is, and will be”. They are the work of Samuel Rabinovitch, who later gave up being an artist and entered the world of wrestling under the name of Samuel Rabin.

Barge House St, South Bank, London SE1 9PH Constructed 1929-1931 Architect Albert W. Moore Style: Art Deco

The premises date back to around 1900 and were originally constructed as a power station to supply electricity to the General Post Office. It was acquired by Liebig’s Extract of Meat Company, the manufacturers of Oxo beef stock cubes, in the late 1920s and redeveloped in predominantly Art Deco style as a cold store. The tower was added from scratch. At the time, it was called Stamford Wharf and was London’s second tallest commercial building.

The building’s most distinguishable feature, the OXO symbols are in fact a series of windows. Liebig wanted illuminated signs advertising their brand on each side of the tower but permission for this was refused because skyline promotion of this kind was banned along the riverside part of Southwark at that time. So, very cleverly, four sets of vertically-aligned windows featuring the shape of a circle, a cross and then another circle were installed instead.

The entire complex came close to being demolished in the early 1980s but, with the support of Greater London Council, it ended up in the hands of Coin Street Community Builders development trust and the 13-acre site was turned into a mini conservation area. Since 1996, when it was refurbished, the tower has been home to a handful of shops, a restaurant and some apartments.

Isokon Building

Lawn Road Flats, 3 Lawn Rd, Hampstead, London NW3 2XD Completed 1934 Architect Wells Coates Style: Modernism Grade I Listed

The Isokon Building, formerly known as Lawn Road Flats, is significant both from an architectural as well as a social standpoint. Wells Coates was a Canadian-born British architect and designer who was one of the leading figures in the establishment of the modernist movement in Britain during the 1930s. Influenced by Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect widely considered to be the pioneer of modern architecture, Coates partnered with the furniture entrepreneur, Jack Pritchard in 1929 and formed the nucleus of Isokon Ltd, a company that would be synonymous with modernist style houses and flats as well as furnishings during the inter-war years.

The firm’s key project was the Lawn Road Flats, which Wells Coates designed after consulting with Jack Pritchard’s wife, Molly. An experiment in minimalist urban living, the building was ahead of its time and received much critical acclaim upon its completion. It also became a centre for intellectual and avant-garde life in north London with residents, or regular visitors, including the sculptor Henry Moore, the murder-mystery novelist Agatha Christie, and Walter Gropius, founder of the German Bauhaus art school in 1919 who, with the help of Maxwell Fry (another prominent British modernist architect at the time) managed to escape Nazi Germany in 1934.

The Isokon Building was also embroiled in Cold War espionage, with a number of its occupants under surveillance by British intelligence during the 1930s and later identified as Soviet agents. The most notorious of these was Arnold Deutsch, an academic and communist sympathiser best known for recruiting the ring of spies known as the Cambridge Five which included Kim Philby, Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt.

As for the structure itself, the building was acquired by the New Statesman magazine in 1969, who then sold it to Camden Council a few years later, in 1972. The new owners allowed it to fall into disrepair and it wasn’t restored once more until 2004. There are now 36 flats (originally there were 32) and the garage has been converted into a small museum telling the story of the building.

1 Haydon St, Tower, London EC3N 1HP Constructed 1935-1937 Architect Fuller, Hall and Foulsham Style: Art Deco Grade II Listed

Located near the Tower of London, the deceptively large Ibex House is a purpose-built office block in the medieval parish of Minories. The building’s most distinguishable feature is the continuous band of black metal framed windows, which was the longest of its kind in the country when completed. When the building opened, rent was advertised at 6 shillings per square foot including a cleaning service! A shilling was valued at one 20th of a pound sterling i.e. 12 old pennies prior to decimalisation in 1971, 5 new pence in today’s decimal currency.

Former Derry & Toms Department Store

99 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 5SA Completed 1933 Architect Bernard George Style: Art Deco Grade II* Listed

Starting with a small drapery shop on Kensington High Street in 1853, Joseph Toms went into partnership a decade later with his brother-in-law, Charles Derry, to establish Derry & Toms. The business expanded and more shops in the vicinity were procured by the pair. In 1920, the company was acquired by another well-known upmarket retailer, John Barker & Co. (*), although it continued to trade under its own name.

(*) Barkers of Kensington is, arguably, as impressive as Derry & Toms from an architectural point of view. Also in Art Deco style, it is more or less next door to Derry & Toms but was being renovated (and covered in scaffolding) when we were in the area and therefore impossible to photograph.

Work on the store where all of the individual shops could be amalgamated began in 1930 and was completed in 1933. A few years after its opening, the rooftop garden, which is the structure’s most famous feature and inspired by the roof gardens at the Rockefeller Centre in New York, was added.

Derry & Toms ceased operating in 1973 and the building is now subdivided into a series of retail outlets, including Marks & Spencer, Gap and H&M.

St.Olaf House

27 Tooley Street, Southwark, London SE1 9BG Constructed 1928-1931 Architect Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel Style: Art Deco Grade II* Listed

Constructed as the head office of Hay’s Wharf, a warehouse and dock for the Port of London, this Art Deco conversion is now part of London Bridge Hospital. The name is derived from the fact that the structure was erected on the site of St Olave’s Church, Southwark, which was demolished in 1926. Olaf Haraldsson was an early 11th-century Norwegian king who was martyred in 1030 for attempting to convert his subjects to Christianity.

If you enjoyed our photographic guide to London’s best Art Deco architecture, please share it…

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A good selection of London’s 20th Century buildings to remind us what a treasure trove of architecture there is in London. Also informative notes about the buildings.

Thanks, Tony. Art Deco and pre-war modernism is a new genre for us but one we intend to see plenty more of once we are allowed again.

An amazing post! Thank you.

You are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback.

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Art Deco Britain: 10 Architectural Masterpieces Across the UK

Architecture & Design Editor

Impressive, exquisite Art Deco buildings are dotted all over Britain, and the grandest examples are often found in unexpected places. Discover the cities where you can admire the most striking remnants of the stylish 1920s-30s movement, as recommended by an expert in the field.

Despite some being almost a century old, the luxurious Art Deco buildings of Britain, with their streamlined designs and clean, geometric shapes, have aged beautifully. Examples of the architectural style can be found all over the country, from Swansea to North Ayrshire, and encompass both functional public and semi-public spaces – swimming pools, airports – as well as industrial edifices, civic buildings and entertainment venues. Architectural historian Elain Harwood, the author of Art Deco Britain: Buildings of the Interwar Years, has chosen her ten favourite examples of the style for Culture Trip, from every corner of Britain .

The Brangwyn Hall

Swansea New Guildhall, Guildhall Road North, Swansea. 1930–34; (Sir) Percy Thomas and Frank Brangwyn

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In 1924, the House of Lords commissioned Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956) to decorate its Royal Gallery in commemoration of the First World War. Brangwyn produced a set of decorative fantasies depicting ‘various Dominions and parts of the British Empire’. But by 1930, the Royal Fine Art Commission rejected them. Brangwyn had Welsh origins, and both Cardiff and Swansea expressed interest in the panels. The Guildhall in Swansea won out, when councillors offered to raise the ceiling of its proposed assembly hall especially for the panels. Percy Thomas was South Wales’s leading architect, a maestro of Beaux Arts classicism. The Guildhall complex is a statement of civic grandeur and an act of defiance against unemployment that retains a remarkably intact sequence of public interiors.

Daily Express building

120–29 Fleet Street, corner with Shoe Lane, City of London. 1930–32; Ellis & Clarke with E. Owen Williams

Listed grade II*

Engineer Owen Williams produced a complex yet elegant concrete frame for the Daily Express building that offered unimpeded space to extend the press lines through the basement, then imposed a dramatic, functional façade on to the offices. The choice of shiny black Vitrolite, contrasted with strips of chromium and glass for the front, is thought to have been the brainwave of Ellis & Clarke’s future partner Bertram Gallannaugh. In total contrast to this streamlined façade is the entrance lobby, perhaps the most sophisticated Art Deco work of Robert Atkinson. The covings and sunburst of the ceiling and rippling floor patterns are Atkinson’s, but the most dramatic features are Eric Aumonier’s reliefs of a shining ‘Britain’ and ‘Empire’.

Nelson Street, Largs, North Ayrshire. 1935; C. Davidson & Sons

Listed grade B

Nardini’s is an iconic ice-cream emporium, its long ‘Snowcrete’ frontage visible from the daytripping steamers chugging ‘doon the watter’ from Glasgow . The interior has been remodelled, but the vintage Lloyd Loom furniture gives just the right touch of authenticity and style. Pietro Nardini arrived in Scotland from Tuscany in 1890, and ran a fish-and-chip shop in Paisley with his wife Rosa. When, in 1934, a villa came up for sale on the seafront in Largs, Pietro saw the potential. He replaced it with a café and restaurant, bringing in architects Charles Davidson & Sons. The local paper reported “an air of comfort and luxury,” enhanced in the restaurant by a six-piece orchestra. A feature was a £300 soda fountain from the United States.

Park Lane Hotel/Sheraton Grand Hotel Park Lane

Piccadilly, London. 1925–31; Kenneth Anns and Henry Tanner

Listed grade II

The Park Lane Hotel contains the best Art Deco ballroom in London, behind a disarmingly quiet façade. Semi-submerged in a basement, the ballroom was described by the art historian Dan Klein as ‘Hollywood spectacular’ for its giant chandeliers, uplighters and peach-tinted mirrors – a night architecture designed to show the debutante at her most elegant. Finest of all is the ballroom foyer, or ‘Silver Gallery’, so-called for its walls of silver leaf lacquered with gold contrasted with Swedish green marble and stained sycamore.

Midland Hotel

Marine Road Central, Morecambe, Lancashire. 1932–33; Oliver Hill

The Midland was built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway ’s hotel chain, replacing an 1848 hotel. Oliver Hill was commissioned for the job, an enthusiast for swimming and nude sunbathing who had embraced a lively Modernism after visiting the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930. Hill was no structural expert, and his Modernism exudes a flashy showmanship befitting the seaside. The hotel curves towards the sea, with a separately curved end tea pavilion. Emulating Sweden, it is filled with art. Eric Gill modelled two seahorses resembling Morecambe shrimps over the central convex entrance, and inside he added a mammoth stone relief of Odysseus Welcomed from the Sea by Nausicaa .

Northwick Cinema/Grays of Worcester

Ombersley Road, Northwick, Worcester. 1936–38; C. Edmund Wilford with John Alexander

With its stylish, American-style vertical sign, the Northwick would stand out in a city centre, let alone on the edge of town. Wilford was a competent architect, but he did not design the lavish interior, which is the work of John Alexander, a designer and fibrous plaster manufacturer based in Newcastle upon Tyne . This is the only building where his work survives in whole, with three dancing girls riding a giant wave or chariot either side of the stage, their hair spiralling over the surf, and ‘S’-shaped motifs in the balustrade that suggest seahorses.

Philharmonic Hall

Hope Street, Liverpool. 1937–39; Herbert J. Rowse

Rowse’s masterpiece in the Dudok style is modern yet grand in its scale and – unusually for the idiom – symmetrical. It replaced a Neoclassical concert hall built in 1846–49, which was destroyed by fire in July 1933. Rowse brought in as his assistant Alwyn Edward Rice, who had designed a theatre as his student project. The final design follows the massing and general layout of this scheme. The Victorian hall was a large volume with excellent acoustics. The replacement followed the fan shape popularised by the Salle Pleyel in Paris, which Rowse divided into staggered sections by a series of lighting coves, the figure on each leaf providing the hall’s only decoration save for perforated screens around the stage.

Jubilee Pool

The Promenade, Penzance, Cornwall. 1934–35; Captain Frank Latham, borough engineer

The Jubilee Pool was built near the harbour at the Battery Rocks, a popular bathing spot until damaged by erosion and surrounded by slum housing. The council cleared the old cottages in 1933 to create a park, and below it a lido. The pool was 330ft (100m) long by 240ft (73m) wide at its greatest extent, and its depth made it the largest in the country by volume of water. Its curves were determined by the rocks on which it is built – Latham used the existing seabed for economy and designed the shape to deflect the pounding storm waves, inadvertently also making a lido of exceptional beauty. The pool was rescued in 1992 by John Clarke, a retired architect who formed the Jubilee Pool Association. It was listed and restored, reopening in 1994, and refurbished in 2014–16.

Hoover Building

Western Avenue, Perivale, Greater London. 1931–33, 1935, 1937–38; Wallis, Gilbert & Partners

The demolition of the Firestone Factory left Hoover as the supreme example of an Art Deco industrial building in Britain. Thomas Wallis’s partner, Frederick Button, oversaw the design and supervised the work, beginning with the office front that survives today. The engaged fluted columns, with faience bands but no moulded capitals, metal windows and a giant sunburst over the entrance advertised modernity to passing motorists. The frontage was carefully landscaped, but the interior was simple save for an entrance hall with fluted pilasters and a staircase with chevron sunrise ironwork, and resplendent green urinals in the gentlemen’s lavatory.

Shoreham Airport (Brighton City Airport)

Cecil Pashley Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. 1934–36; R. Stavers Hessell Tiltman

This surprisingly small building resembles a monoplane on plan. It contains a double-height foyer with a heavily moulded balcony, a wing of offices and the Hummingbird Restaurant , with original bar fittings. Two tiny aircraft continually circle the shallow central dome. A new control room (1988) sits atop the old, but otherwise the building retains its original character. It has appeared in several episodes of Poirot and in the film The Da Vinci Code (2006). Its No. 2 Hangar (listed grade II) also dates from 1936.

Art Deco Britain by Elain Harwood is published by Batsford in collaboration with Twentieth Century Society. Photographs by Elain Harwood.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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• Classic Tour of London
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Family London Tour

This fascinating tour will take you to the art deco hotspots in the Capital. Here’s just a taster of what you could see…

Daily Telegraph building

Situated in London’s famous Fleet Street, the Daily Telegraph building is a must-see for the art deco fan. It was designed in 1928 and along with the nearby Daily Express building showcases art deco architecture at its best. Both buildings are now owned by Goldman Sachs bank.

Enjoy a Martini in splendid art deco luxury – and stay here for a night or two in one of the lavishly furnished rooms. This landmark hotel is on the famous Strand, overlooking the Thames. Just about every celeb you can think of has stayed here, from Jimi Hedrix to Frank Sinatra, and it was also the setting for the film Notting Hill’s romantic finale.

The Hoover Building

You shouldn’t miss The Hoover Building in West London, as it’s one of the capital’s foremost examples of art deco architecture. It was designed for the Hoover Company, by architects Wallis Gilbert, between 1931 and 1935. It’s now owned by Tesco – so you can buy your tea bags in style!

Eltham Palace

This opulent art deco home is attached to a medieval palace. Constructed in 1933 for millionaire Stephen Coulthard, it has some ground-breaking features including centralised vacuum cleaning and a loudspeaker system. There’s also a special lift for the pet monkey. Eltham Palace also arrange special events such as art deco tours , medieval jousting, and great stuff for the kids too. Nearby attractions include the famous antiques markets in Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum, Chislehurst Caves and The Royal Artillery Museum.

Battersea Power Station

This glorious building, completed in 1934, used to be a power station, designed by Giles Gilbert Scott. There have been many ideas to renovate and make use of the structure, but it’s sadly currently derelict. Work is currently underway, however, to improve the integrity of the 4 great deco chimneys.

This hotel was redesigned in art deco style in the 1920s – and is one of the most beautiful places in the world to take afternoon tea. Admire the sculptures, made with Lalique glass… then head for nearby Bond Street for a spot of shopping…

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• The tours we provide are private guided tours. using a driver-guide.
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David Stubbs , who is the owner of the company, highly recommended by Rick Steve’s, the travel writer and Trip advisor will conduct each tour where possible at no extra charge. If you really want to confirm he will conduct the tour personally, then mention this in advance by emailing us first to check David’s availability.  This would cost an extra £100.

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Posted on 19th August 2022 Categories Things to do

By: Author Lauren Kendrick

All Aboard! Art Deco Train Trips Return to London Next Month

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Looking for something fun to do this September in London? Here’s why you need to take a ride on the Art Deco train.

Get ready to travel back in time as the Metropolitan line brings back heritage train journeys for the first time in three years. Live out your wildest Great Gatsby dreams and climb aboard the 1938 Art Deco vintage train. Prepare to be swept into a bygone era.

Thanks to the London Transport Museum, this experience is returning to the capital for one weekend only, on the 3rd and 4th September. 

Here’s what you need to know.

About the Experience

Where can you go? Tickets for this event are available as returns from Amersham to Watford and singles from Amersham to Harrow-on-the-Hill. 

You’ll speed through the London underground system in your own prohibition bubble – the experience lasts around an hour (or 40 minutes if you’ve booked a single ticket).

The Art Deco Train

The antique locomotive has been restored and electrified; it’s made up of four carriages with rich moquette seating, grab handles, and iconic Art Deco light fixtures. 

In other words, it’s like stepping into a Baz Luhrmann film, with jewel tones and golden motifs decorating the train.

In fact, this 1938 train was the first kind of Tube train to have electrical equipment hidden underneath the floor – these beautiful trains served the capital for half a century. And now, it’s your turn to take a ride.

Art Deco Train Trips: Practical Information and Map

The Art Deco train will be running on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of September.

Train rides start at Amersham. You can either book a return to Watford or a single to Harrow-on-the-Hill.

Tickets need to be booked in advance from the London Transport Museum – it’s £25 for adults and £17 for children and concessions.

Art Deco Train Trips: Read Next

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11 Best London Art Tours in 2024 (ranked!)

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Ready to book the best London art tours?

You’ve come to the right place because I’m covering the top 11 London art tours here.

How do I know?

I’ve lived in London since 2012 and have explored far and wide, so I know that one of the best things to do in London for art lovers is to book a tour so you don’t miss any of the hidden artistic gems that London has to offer.

Whether you’re interested in street art, museum art, or contemporary art, only quality tours are included in this list so you know that every tour you book is worth your money and time.

Want me to cut to the chase?

The best tour of London art is: Shoreditch Street Art Tour London .  

It’s got 5 out of 5 stars with over 260 reviews, so you can’t go wrong!

There are plenty of other London art tours to choose from, so let’s get right down to it.

In this list, you’ll find 11 of the top-rated London art tours so you know you’re making the right choice.

Easy Guide: Best London Art Tours

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

1. Shoreditch Street Art Tour London

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 260+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2.5 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

• Professional expert guide
• Unique post-tour email with lots of street art information

Shoreditch is known for its art scene.

You could spend hours here without seeing everything!

So hire a tour guide who will be able to help you find the hidden gems of artwork throughout this neighborhood.

Hear insider stories about local artists.

Explore unique pieces of art, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Discover why this area is so crucial for the art scene.

The tour starts at Old Spitalfields Market.

Then you’ll head to Brick Lane while taking a few quick detours to see different pieces of street art.

Finally, you’ll end up in Shoreditch.

2. Street Art Tour and Spray Painting Workshop in London

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 60+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Local professional guide
• Street art workshop
• Street art tour
• Walking tour

Street art fans and aspiring artists will love this tour !

The tour starts at Old Street Station and you’ll explore Hoxton and Shoreditch.

See lots of examples of street art, including those that are off the beaten path. Your guide will make sure you don’t miss anything!

This tour also includes a street art workshop.

You’ll learn some fun techniques and get to practice making your own street art at their studio! Practice spray paint, cutting stencils, and more!

You’ll leave this tour with a greater appreciation for the art you see throughout the city.

3. Emerging Artist Art Buying Tour in London

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  5 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Light refreshments
• Local guide
• Optional pickup
• Visit 4 emerging artists

If you want to get into art collecting, but don’t have the budget for household names, book this tour .

You’ll visit 4 emerging artists in London. You’ll have the chance to see their artwork and buy a piece before everybody learns their names!

Not only will you be able to grow your art collection, but you’ll have a chance to learn the personal stories behind the artwork.

Guests will also learn about London’s art scene in general. This will help you to develop a deeper appreciation for modern art.

If you’re worried about being put on the spot to buy someone’s art, don’t worry.

After you visit each studio, there will be a catered reception where you will have the opportunity to buy some artwork. This is a pressure-free way to pick which pieces you want!

4. Private Tour: National Gallery Tour in London with Art Historian Guide

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Professional art historian guide
• Private tour
• Tour National Gallery
• Learn art trivia

Art enthusiasts must visit the National Gallery when they’re in London. What better way to do this than to book a private tour ?

The art historian guide who will accompany you has so much information about art history.

He’ll be able to answer any of your questions! He also knows his way around the museum.

He will ensure that you don’t miss anything important. He’ll also help guide you to the stuff you’ll find more interesting.

And he can summarize the loads of information so you don’t have to spend hours trying to look at the artwork.

5. Private Victoria & Albert Museum Tour: Greatest Collection of Arts and Crafts

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 15+ reviews ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Visit London’s Victoria and Albert Museum
• Personalized tour experience

The Victoria and Albert Museum and Apsley House are two prestigious museums in London.

With this tour , you’ll make the most of your visit.

The tour guide is an art history expert who will be able to answer all your questions! He’ll also make sure you make the most of your time here.

Learn about the decorative arts, the Duke of Wellington, and more. Between the two destinations, you’ll also get to stroll along Knightsbridge.

This will be such an enjoyable day!

Because it’s a private tour, the tour will be tailored to your interests.

Spend more time looking at things that interest you and less time on the things you don’t care about.

6. Private Tour : 3 Amazing London Art Galleries 1 tour 1 guide

• Private Tour Guide
• 3 of the world’s best art galleries
• Pre-tour updates

Art lovers will want to visit the Tate Britain , National Gallery, and National Portrait Gallery.

The good news is you can see all three on this tour !

It can take hours to visit each of these locations.

That’s because there’s so much information to take in.

And you probably won’t even remember half of it because of information overload.

Fortunately, your private guide will know how to efficiently get through each of these museums.

He’ll make sure you don’t miss anything important while ensuring that you don’t spend too much time on more trivial exhibits. 

7. Street Art Walking Tour and Workshop in London

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 44+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Personalized experience

If you love contemporary art, you’ll appreciate this tour . Admire London’s street art as you explore Hackney.

This is a great way to discover London culture away from the bustling crowds of tourists.

This hands-on experience will help you to deepen your appreciation for urban art forms.

You’ll even get the chance to try your own stencils and spray paint!

After exploring Shoreditch on a personalized walking tour, you’ll be able to make your own art.

It’s such a fun way to immerse yourself in art culture!

8. London East End & Street Art Guided Walking Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 9+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2.5 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Semi-Private Group Size
• Professional Tour Guide
• Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine

Not only does this tour cover the street art of London, but you’ll also learn a lot of history.

If you’re interested in the history of London’s East End, you’ll love this tour!

This small group tour is a great way to learn about the East End and its street art without spending too much time.

Catch a glimpse of street art by Banksy and Shepard Fairey while learning about Jack the Ripper. 

You’ll get to visit Petticoat Lane Market and Old Spitalfields Market. Walk along Shoreditch High Street, Brick Lane, and the Artillery Passage. You’ll also get to explore Whitechapel.

9. Shoreditch Street Art Private Photography Tour including Brick Lane

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 110+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Professional Fine Art Photographer 
• Review of photographs and how to develop skills
• Expert photography instruction
• Private Tour

If you love street art and photography, take this tour .

Not only will you explore amazing street art, but you’ll also practice your photography skills. You’ll have so many Instagram-worthy photos after this tour!

This personalized experience is led by a local who has all the insider info.

You’ll learn so much and gain a great appreciation for modern art styles.

You’ll get to explore Shoreditch and Brick Lane as you learn all about the art scene in this part of the city.

Then you’ll leave with memories and your own iconic photos to keep!

10. London Instagram tour with London expert

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Instagrammable tour stops
• Find hidden gems
• Personable tour guide

If you want to visit London’s most Instagrammable places, book this tour .

The guide will take you throughout London to ensure that you don’t miss any!

He’ll also help you find everything more efficiently.

He’ll also make sure you find the hidden gems around this city.

Other tourists might not know they exist, but you’ll love seeing them. Take plenty of pictures to share on your socials! Did you even go to London if you didn’t share the most iconic Instagram post?

This private tour will also be personalized to you. This will ensure you enjoy the day to the max!

11. Medieval to Art Deco: Eltham Palace Private Tour

• Professional guide/driver
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Private tour and vehicle transport

Book a private tour at Eltham Palace if you would love to explore one of London’s less popular landmarks.

Although it’s not at the top of everyone’s bucket list, it is still quite a distinctive attraction.

This royal palace is an unusual representation of Art Deco.

Built as a medieval palace, it also served as a Tudor royal residence.

It was neglected for quite awhile before someone took it over again in the 1930s.

Because of its unusual history, it has examples of several different art forms.

Discover this palace at your own pace on this private tour!

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The 11 top art deco destinations around the world

Sep 7, 2020 • 10 min read

Historic Los Angeles City Hall © f11photo / Shutterstock

Well, 2020 was supposed to be full of nostalgic glam, harkening back to the Roaring '20s and optimistic Great Gatsby glitz. It hasn’t been a champagne coupe kind of year, but the now century-old art deco eye candy that’s scattered around the globe isn’t going anywhere.

This fresh, decorative style came out of France just before WWI and lasted well into the 1940s. Fresh, modern forms were augmented by imagery and colors inspired as never before by travel to such far-flung destinations as the South Pacific, Egypt, and China – places newly accessible to the colonial leisure class, who boarded new steam and rail lines to tour the world. And for those without the means to travel, influential artists like Matisse, Gauguin, and Cézanne brought their interpretation of global art forms back to European audiences.

Here are some of the destinations around the world with the most art deco swagger.

Our editors independently select the best products to help you have amazing travel experiences. If you purchase through links on our site, Lonely Planet may earn a commission from the retailer.

Durban, South Africa

The prominence of art deco architecture in Durban , South Africa reveals more than meets the eye when you first scan its streamlined, stuccoed cityscapes. In the 1920s and '30s, colonialism was still in full swing, even as a rising sense of African nationalism swept the continent. During the art deco period, colonizers brought troves of African artifacts and religious objects back to European museums and galleries, and in turn white artists were deeply influenced by – and appropriated – indigenous African motifs. 

Eventually, those imperial powers brought a whitewashed version of those motifs back to Africa in the form of new, synthesized styles like art deco. This was just as cities like Durban (known by the Zulu as eThekweni) were expanding and eager to showcase their modern, European sensibilities – though the end of both art deco and colonialism were right around the corner following WWII, and South Africa was already laying the groundwork for apartheid. 

You can take in that complex history throughout the city at sites like the Surrey Mansions, the Cenotaph in Francis Farewell Square , the Colonial Mutual Building, Adam’s Booksellers, the Suncoast Casino, Lowry’s Corner, and the Surat Hindoo Association Building. Find self-guided walking tour maps and points of interest from the Durban Art Deco Society. Cap off your deep dive into the city’s architecture with a stay at the Albany Hotel , a centrally located 1938 beaut.

Casablanca, Morocco

It’s no surprise that Casablanca is resplendent with art deco examples, given that France established a colonial presence in Morocco in 1912, just as the style was taking off. What emerged during the French Protectorate era was Mauresque, a blend of traditional Moroccan designs and art deco, that you can still see at stops such as the Cinema Rialto , Palais de Justice , The Maret Building, the Villa des Arts , and the 1918 La Poste (the main post office). Don’t forget to stroll Rue Idriss Lhrizi for even more eye candy, before posting up at the famous Hotel Transatlantique, built in 1922, or the Hotel & Spa Le Doge , originally built in the 1930s as a private townhouse. 

Napier, New Zealand

New Zealand ’s deadliest natural disaster – the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake – leveled nearly the whole town of Napier , and ensuing fires burned the rest. But the bustling seaport rebuilt such a complete art deco Main Street that it has garnered comparisons to other seaside cityscapes as Miami Beach and Santa Barbara , and was nominated for Unseco World Heritage Site status in 2007. 

Don’t miss such sites as the Daily Telegraph headquarters, the National Tobacco Company Building , and the Tom Parker fountain –  though the whole downtown is a dream. For some real Gatsby charm, take a combined wine and architecture tour , or zip out into New Zealand’s oldest wine region in a vintage auto . 

At the end of your day, stay at the Art Deco Masonic Hotel . This streamlined beauty is on the site of the original hotel, built in the 1860s and lost to the earthquake. The version you see today was designed by Wellington architect W. J. Prowse, and stands as a testament to Napier’s resilience.

Los Angeles, California 

Angelinos and visitors alike know that Los Angeles contains multitudes, but for all the city’s sprawling evolutions (and home-grown architectural staples like the dingbat ) it’s never shaken its association with the glitz of Old Hollywood. Now that DTLA is having a renaissance, some of LA’s best-beloved 1920s haunts are newly fashionable again such as the Golden Gopher , which is surrounded by period beauties including the Garfield Building and the Freehand Los Angeles .   

As long as you’re in the DLTA neighborhood, don’t miss The CalEdison building (the lobby is open the public), The Oviatt Building, or the Los Angeles Central Public Library – and certainly not City Hall . Further afield, you can take a blast to the past by dining at El Cholo , a 1920s joint with a bright neon sign, or the Tam O’Shanter , where Walt Disney himself liked to tip back Scotch. In Hollywood, don’t miss the the friendly Frolic Room , which got its start as a speakeasy and became a regular old dive in the mid-1930s when the chic Deco Pantages Theater opened next door.

There’s no shortage of period hotels to immerse yourself in, but some of the best include The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, Hotel Normandie in Wilshire, and Sunset Tower in West Hollywood.

Kaunas, Lithuania

Between WWI and WWII, Kaunas was able to take a deep breath, and a turn as Lithuania 's capital. The result was a slew of construction by builders who hoped to convey the country's modernity with a little art deco charm. Like many other cities that had a yearning for deco last century, one of Kaunas' best examples is its Central Post Office, which along with banks, government headquarters, such as the Kaunas Municipality building, and other institutions were eager to set a tone for a new chapter of Lithuanian history and national character. Plenty of cultural attractions, theaters and cinemas got in on the fun, too, as well as the Christ's Resurrection Basilica , which broke ground in 1934. 

Shanghai, China

Thanks to an influx of Europeans who had been metabolizing Asian design since the art nouveau era and the return of Chinese students who brought art deco back with them, 1920s Shanghai became a canvas for a newly international generation of architects eager to explore new styles.

A hundred years later, the waterfront Bund district and the old French Concession still give travelers a glimpse into this colonial era, and the development of the Chinese Deco style that was synonymous with Shanghai. These neighborhoods are perfect for a stroll between period sites like the Bank of China Building, the Bank of Communications Building , the Cathay Theatre , and the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum .

You might opt to stay at the Peace Hotel, Okura Garden Hotel , the Peninsula Shanghai , the Metropolo Classiq , the Langham Yangtze Boutique Hotel or Les Suites Orient – all classics with beautiful deco architecture updated with the latest amenities.

Mumbai, India

In his 1999 novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet , Salman Rushdie’s protagonist Rai says of Mumbai, “...as for the glittering art deco sweep of Marine Dr , well, that was something not even Rome could boast. I actually grew up believing art deco to be the ‘Bombay style,’ a local invention, its name derived, in all probability, from the imperative of the verb ‘to see’. Art dekho.”

Art deco was brought to India by British colonizers. A 1930s building boom in Mumbai coincided with the style’s popularity, and gave a chance for Indian architects to make art deco all their own . The sheer concentration of art deco buildings earned the Oval Maiden a spot on the Unesco  World Heritage list, and continues to wow local pedestrians and visitors on Mumbai architectural tours alike. From movie theaters like the Liberty Cinema to the undulating Jehangir Art Gallery to the streamlined stacks of art deco apartment buildings, Mumbai is a feast for the senses, and a trip back in time.

Kick back at the end of the day at the modest, historical Sea Green South Hotel – a comfortable spot big on vintage charm that won’t break the bank.

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo was once one of the premier cities in the US, with a big boom from the turn of the century to the middle of the next. Head downtown to the the Court Street corridor to see some of the best examples of its art deco flavor, from the magnificently detailed Buffalo City Hall and Central Terminal (which is currently being redeveloped into an event space) to the Industrial Bank Building and Electric Tower Building.

Hotel Niagara is slated to reopen in 2021, bringing this 1924 beauty back into play for the first time since 2007. In the meantime, soak up the jazz era vibes in the lobby of the Hotel @ the Lafayette , a handsome property that blends a range of influences from the Edwardian to the deco to the contemporary.

St Petersburg, Florida

Miami gets the lion’s share of accolades for its art deco edifices , but it doesn’t have the monopoly on mid-war glitz. A little further north, St Petersburg , Florida has its own 1920s treasures, from the Salvador Dali Museum to the Euro-inspired neighborhoods and arcades developed by deco disciple Perry Snell. 

Much of the city blends the Mediterranean style with art deco influences into a Florida deco genre all its own, from the Municipal Utilities Building and St. Petersburg City Hall to Christ United Methodist Church to the Randolph Hotel, and even the odd Family Dollar store . On the opposite side of the peninsula from downtown St Pete, grab brunch at Stella ’s and stroll the charming neighborhood – at the end of Beach Boulevard is the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, a rounded pastel dream that dates back to the swinging ‘30s jazz age.

Perhaps the crown jewel of St. Pete's deco gems is the Don CeSar hotel , better known to locals as the Pink Palace. A true jazz age magnet, F. Scott Fitzgerald himself stayed here, as did Al Capone and President FDR. The Pink Palace even appeared in Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America (1984). 

If you’d like to stay somewhere a little more low-key, however, it’s hard to beat the Avalon , a streamlined beauty close to Beach Drive and attractions like the Dali Museum. The outside is pure art deco, but inside belays St Pete’s hip, artsy side with modish, Instagram-ready style.

Montevideo, Uruguay 

Montevideo doesn't have the high profile of other South American capitals, but it's rich in art deco architecture thanks to an economic boom and urban expansion at the time. Check out the Rinaldi building near the  Plaza Independencia  and the Palacio Díaz skyscraper near City Hall . Stop by the Montevideo Center for Photography  and the Don Hotel , whilst looking out for dozens of period apartment buildings. It's interesting to see Uruguay's unique, often monochrome interpretation of art deco forms. Stay at the New Arapey Hotel , which carries the style inside and out.

Detroit, Michigan

Like Buffalo, Detroit was booming during the deco years as the automobile industry took off and immigrants flocked to the city’s factories for work. New buildings went up all the time in the latest style, including jazz clubs such as  Cliff Bell's , the iconic Fisher Building , the glittering Fox Theater, the Penobscot Building and skyscrapers such as the Guardian Building. There’s so much to see in Detroit it’s well worth embarking on a walking tour . You can put your feet up afterwards at The Siren Hotel, built in 1926 and originally known as the Wurlitzer Building. 

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The most beautiful restaurants in London

By Sophie Knight

London is home to some of the best restaurants in the world , with the city boasting everything from Michelin-star dining experiences to delectable street food .

But there are a few spots that stand out as the most beautiful restaurants in London - from Kensington High Street to Clerkenwell this is Condé Nast Traveller ’s definitive list. If you're looking for more recommendations, then take a look at our list of the best restaurants in London .

Carlotta, Marylebone

Pretty Marylebone restaurant or retro NYC-Italian joint? This Big Mamma outpost is less overtly over the top than its siblings in Shoreditch, Notting Hill and Covent Garden, but nevertheless doesn't shy away from a theme – with red leather banquettes, dark wooden tables, Sicilian crockery and mismatched diner-style chairs.

Address: Carlotta, 77, 78 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 5JX Website: bigmammagroup.com

At Sloane, Chelsea

Every detail, from the delicate latticework to the stained-glass windows, has been impressively recreated by ateliers to appear original. Adding to the syrupy candle light are a mix of original and reproduction Benson chandeliers and lamps.

Address: At Sloane, 1 Sloane Gardens, London SW1W 8EA Website: atsloane.com

Dear Jackie, Soho

Seductive Murano lighting, maroon silk walls, plump blue-and-white booths transport guests from Soho to Sicily. It's a proper late-night hangout, and the crimson silk walls and intimate booths make for a fun-loving neighbourhood addition that, at its core, dials into Soho's soul – or at least, a very elevated version of it.

Address: Dear Jackie, 20 Broadwick Street, W1F 9NE, Soho Website: broadwicksoho.com

Claridge's Restaurant, Mayfair

This beautiful dining room is filled with Art Deco details and mosaic tiles and glossy tortoiseshell. There’s glamour to be found on the plates as well – don't sleep on the Parker house loaf bread, which arrives at the table with butter in the shape of the Claridge’s crest.

Address: Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR Website: claridges.co.uk

Jacuzzi, Kensington High Street

The fourth Italian-inspired outpost by the Big Mamma Group takes on a Venetian twist.

Address: Jacuzzi, 94 Kensington High St, London W8 4SJ Website: bigmammagroup.com

Bacchanalia, Mayfair

Mediterranean meets Italian at Richard Caring's latest addition to Mayfair, where Damien Hirst sculptures dawn over diners.

Address: 1-3 Mount St, London W1K 3NA Website: bacchanalia.co.uk

Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell

A discreet 18th-century Grade II-listed landmark transformed into one of our best restaurants in London .

Address: Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Grn, London EC1R 0NA Website: sessionsartsclub.com

Mount St. Restaurant, Mayfair

A Mayfair pub adorned with world-famous artwork from Hauser & Wirth, including Freud’s A Plate of Prawns (1958) and Henri Matisse’s Éperlans (1920).

Address: First Floor, 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX Website: mountstrestaurant.com

Connor Sturges

Olivia Morelli

Sarah James

Sketch, Mayfair

After a complete makeover of its iconic pink room , Sketch is still as glamorous as ever.

Address : Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG Website : sketch.london

Cycene, Shoreditch

Minimalism – from the interiors to the menu – is at the heart of this 15-cover eatery in Shoreditch.

Address: Cycene, 9 Chance St, London E2 7JB Website: bluemountain.school/cycene

Ave Mario, Covent Garden

The third London hotspot from the Parisian Big Mamma Group on lovely Henrietta Street in Covent Garden . Get comfortable in red velvet booths that contrast with the riotous decor of vibrant colours, stripes and flowers while ordering bowls of silky pasta and huge cocktails.

Address: Ave Mario, 15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QG Website: bigmammagroup.com

Chuku's, Tottenham

Taste traditional-with-a-twist Nigerian plates of jollof quinoa and yam brownies, set against bright coral walls and an Afrobeat soundtrack.

Address: Chuku's, 274 High Road, London N15 4AJ Website: chukuslondon.co.uk

Kol, Marylebone

Introducing London to innovative Mexican cooking, the chefs at Kol use British ingredients in the heart of Marylebone .

Address: Kol, 9 Seymour Street, London W1H 7BA Website: kolrestaurant.com

The Light Bar, Shoreditch

This legendary former Victorian power station – protected as part of Hackney's Shoreditch Conservation Area – has reopened after seven years. Sit back and watch the light flood in through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

Address : The Light Bar, 233 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6PJ Website: lightbarlondon.com

Hideaway, Mayfair

This pretty addition to Mount Street from Ollie Dabbous does an excellent Croque Monsieurs and lobster rolls at lunchtime. The hot chocolate is pretty good too.

Address : Hideaway, 100 Mount St, Mayfair, London W1K 2TG Website : hideawaylondon.co.uk

Berenjak, Soho

A reimagined Iranian kebab house from one of London's most exciting restaurant stables.

Address : Berenjak, 27 Romilly Street, Soho, London W1D 5AL Website : berenjaklondon.com

Annabel's, Mayfair

London's most-photographed members' club. Find out more about Annabel's in our review.

Address: Annabel's, 46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5AT Telephone: +44 20 3915 4046 Website: annabels.co.uk

Gloria, Shoreditch

One of the best restaurants in London , Gloria in Shoreditch is also one of the prettiest in the city – a kitsch take on a traditional trattoria that's about to become big news.

Address : Gloria, 54-56 Great Eastern Street EC2A 3QR Website: bigmammagroup.com

Brasserie of Light, Marylebone

A giant Pegasus statue designed by Damien Hirst is the looming centrepiece of this Art Deco restaurant.

Address : Brasserie of Light, 400 Oxford Street, Duke St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB Website: brasserie-of-light.co.uk

Seabird, South Bank

Serves London ’s longest oyster menu on a sky-high terrace with views of the river.

Address : Seabird, 14th Floor, 40 Blackfriars Road, South Bank, London SE1 8NY Website: seabirdlondon.com

Circolo Popolare, Fitzrovia

Twenty-thousand bottles line the walls of Sicilian Circolo Popolare – the latest venture from the team that brought us Gloria in Shoreditch .

Address: Circolo Popolare, 40-41 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1HX

Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden

One of our favourite romantic restaurants in London .

Address: Clos Maggiore, 33 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2 Website: closmaggiore.com

Hide, Mayfair

Ollie Dabbous' most recent opening.

Address: Hide, 85 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7NB Website: 85piccadilly.co.uk

Bibendum, South Kensington

Claude Bosi is now in the kitchen at Conran's Eighties power-lunch legend.

Address: Bibendum, Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, South Kensington, London SW3 6RD Website: bibendum.co.uk

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Hands-down the coolest garden centre in the city. And one of our favourite park cafés in London , too.

Address: Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AB Website: petershamnurseries.com

Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, Clerkenwell

The interiors are as famous as the bottomless brunch .

Address: Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, 42 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1 Website: bandhbuildings.com

Berners Tavern, Fitzrovia

Part of the London Edition , Berner's Tavern is one of central London's most glamorous dining rooms.

Address: The London Edition, 10 Berners Street, London, W1T 3NP Website: bernerstavern.com

Kudu, Peckham

This South African small-plates restaurant just won Peckham its first Bib Gourmand.

Address: Kudu, 119 Queen's Road, London SE15 2EZ Website: kudu-restaurant.com

The Ivy Garden, Chelsea

One of best outdoor restaurants in London .

Address: The Ivy Chelsea Garden, 195–197 King's Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5EQ Website: theivychelseagarden.com

Jolene, Newington Green

A bakery/restaurant with a devotion to low-intervention natural wines from the team behind Westerns Laundry.

Address: Jolene, 21 Newington Green, London N16 9PU Telephone: +44 20 3887 2309 Website: jolenen16.com

Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury

A pretty winter terrace at the Bloomsbury Hotel .

Address : Dalloway Terrace, 6-22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3NN Telephone : +44 20 7347 1221 Website : dallowayterrace.com

Coal Rooms, Peckham

Discover more of our favourite Peckham restaurants .

Address: Coal Rooms, 11a Station Way, Station, 4RX, Peckham Rye, London SE15 Telephone: +44 20 7635 6699 Website: coalroomspeckham.com

Coal Office at Tom Dixon, King's Cross

Tom Dixon has moved his headquarters from west London to Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross.

Address: Coal Office, 2 Bagley Walk, London, N1C 4PQ Telephone: +44 20 3848 6085 Website: coaloffice.com

Spring, Somerset House

Chef Skye Gyngell's beautiful spot inside Somerset House.

Address: Spring, Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, London, WC2R 1LA Telephone: +44 20 3011 0115 Website: springrestaurant.co.uk

Isabel, Mayfair

A perfect perch for people-watching Mayfair’s coolest crowd over several glasses of Champagne. It's one of the best restaurants in Mayfair too.

Address: Isabel, 26 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4HY Telephone: +44 20 3096 9292 Website: isabelw1.london

Kettner's Townhouse, Soho

An old-school dining room from the Soho House team hits the right notes.

Address: Kettner's Townhouse, 29 Romilly Street, London W1D 5HP Telephone: +44 20 7734 5650 Website: kettnerstownhouse.com

The Coach, Clerkenwell

A Clerkenwell restaurant serving brilliant pub grub with French flair.

Address: The Coach, 26-28 Ray Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 3DJ Website: thecoachclerkenwell.co.uk

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The Top Exhibitions To See In London: April 2024

For more from London's art world, sign up for our new (free) newsletter and community: Londonist: Urban Palette .

Looking for an awesome London exhibition this April? Here's our roundup of must-see shows in the capital, plus an addition from outside of the capital.

1. Art that hits hard: Jerwood Survey III at Southwark Park Galleries

Colonialism, climate change & healing, gender, sexuality, folklore and spirituality are some of the hot topics addressed at Southwark Park Galleries by the work of 10 early career artists in a group exhibition that includes photography, installation, sound, moving image and sculpture. Each artist has been selected by a more established one.

Jerwood Survey III at Southwark Park Galleries . 6 April - 23 June, free.   

2. Warrior king: Ranjit Singh at The Wallace Collection

Discover the extraordinary life and legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the Wallace Collection. This exhibition delves into the rise of the Sikh Empire amidst tumultuous times; featuring glittering weaponry, exquisite jewellery and historic artefacts, visitors journey through Singh's reign, experiencing his military prowess, political acumen and enduring cultural impact.

Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King at The Wallace Collection . 10 April - 20 October, £14.

3. De-colonising: Yinka Shonibare at Serpentine Galleries

British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare wants us to take a critical eye to the history of trade, migration, colonialism and ecological impact. New and recent works are showcased, including installations, sculptures, and woodcut prints — all challenging Western iconography and exploring pressing global issues. Suspended States includes multiple works incorporating Shonibare's signature use of Dutch wax print, a symbol of the tangled relationship between Africa and Europe. This brightly coloured fabric was inspired by Indonesian batik designs, mass-produced by the Dutch and eventually sold to British colonies in West Africa.

Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States at Serpentine South Gallery . 12 April - 1 September, free.

4. London inspired: Anne Desmet at Guildhall Art Gallery

Embark on a journey through London's history and architecture at Guildhall Art Gallery's latest exhibition. Anne Desmet offers her own unique perspective on the city through her intricate digital collages. Featuring 150 works, including London-themed prints, this exhibition is an artist's exploration of our great city and its singular architecture.

Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London at Guildhall Art Gallery . 12 April - 8 September, pay what you can.

5. All the drama: The Last Caravaggio at The National Gallery

Nobody painted drama, light and violence quite like Caravaggio. The National Gallery presents a real treat by showing us his final painting, unseen in the UK for two decades. In The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, Caravaggio chooses to depict the very moment in which the saint — having refused to marry a Hun who did not share her Christian faith — is shot by him with an arrow. The picture is shown alongside the gallery's own masterpiece, Salome receives the Head of John the Baptist — another late depiction of violence by the Old Master.

The Last Caravaggio at The National Gallery . 18 April - 21 July, free.

6. Photography aplenty: Sony World Photography Awards at Somerset House

Immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, vibrant street scenes and powerful documentary images, as the annual Sony World Photography Awards returns to Somerset House. It's a chance to see the full diversity of photography submitted by both professionals and amateurs. Each year one photographer receives the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award — this time it's Sebastiao Salgado (pictured) whose black and white imagery of nature and humanity from around the world has always blown us away.

Sony World Photography Awards exhibition 2024 at Somerset House . 19 April - 6 May, £15.

7. Powerful photojournalism: Tim Hetherington at IWM London

Tim Hetherington was a photojournalist and filmmaker who travelled to conflict areas across the world. On the 13th anniversary of his death IWM London unveils Hetherington's images from Liberia to Afghanistan, shedding light on his approach that always focused on individuals rather than the wider conflicts they were involved in. Check out over 65 striking photographs alongside personal objects, inviting reflection on the role of photojournalists and how they can tell the stories of conflicts.

Storyteller: Photography by Tim Hetherington at IWM London . 20 April - 29 September, free.

8. Statuesque: Antony Gormley at Houghton Hall, Norfolk

Bodies coming out of the ground, bodies in the ground, and bodies above the ground on concrete columns. Antony Gormley's 100 life sized sculpture have been placed all around Houghton Hall in Norfolk — breaking up the landscape of the managed grounds. Gormley's work is about exploring the interaction between body and space and they always work best when outdoors — both moving and eerie.

Antony Gormley: Time Horizon at Houghton Hall , Norfolk. 21 April - 31 October, £22-£24.

9. All the colours: Expressionists at Tate Modern

Expressionism was a movement of radical experimentation in form, colour, sound, and performance. It's time for us to get a major dose of their works at Tate Modern while learning about the movement's transatlantic presence. Spirituality, sexuality and synaesthesia all served to inspire bold works by a loosely affiliated network of artists known as The Blue Rider, which boldly proclaimed "the whole work, called art, knows no borders or nations, only humanity."

Expressionists: Kandinsky, Munter and The Blue Rider at Tate Modern . 25 April - 20 October, £22.

10. It's personal: Matthew Krishanu & Andrew Omoding at Camden Art Centre

Matthew Krishanu's paintings and works on paper take you on a personal journey, looking at childhood, identity, and memory against the backdrop of his growing up in Bangladesh as a child of Christian missionaries and his subsequent move to England. The works ask us to question race, religion, and societal structures. His works show alongside those of Andrew Omoding, who also reflects on his childhood — his in Uganda — as he uses found materials to make sculptures, as well as incorporating music and film into his works.  

Matthew Krishanu: The Bough Breaks & Andrew Omoding Animals to remember Uganda at Camden Art Centre . 26 April - 23 June, free.

Short run events

Photography can be powerful and beautiful, but how can it have the same impact on the visually impaired? World Unseen Photography at Somerset House (5-7 April, free — ticketed) is a chance for us to feel a photograph and it's open to both sighted and visually impaired visitors.  

Somerset House is also playing host to Now Play This (6-14 April, £9), an always enjoyable annual festival of experimental gaming. It's a chance to get hands on with games that challenge stereotypes, try out new ideas, often operate at a low budget and show us what gaming can be. A far cry from... well, Far Cry.

Last Updated 26 March 2024

Continued below.

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