London / Art and Architecture

Who hasn’t heard London calling? As Europe’s third largest capital (after Moscow and Istanbul), an international finance centre and most important places for contemporary art, London interconnects art with business in a way that makes it attractive for hoteliers, restaurant owners and niche shops. The city offers an almost unlimited variety of different types of food, drinks, and experiences, making it a frustrating place to visit for those suffering from FOMO. But this is the first thing you have to remember: because of London’s size and creative character, it’s impossible to see everything and best is to not even try, but to focus on a few select places, leaving room for improvisation and surprises along the way.

East London and City

London was badly affected by the bombings during the Second World War. The Blitz of 1940 and 1941 killed thousands of people and damaged more than a million buildings in London, forever changing the appearance of the city. The combination of old and new buildings is a reminder of a very dark and recent past, and especially in the city’s east part – the ones closest to Germany, where the bombers came from – the devastating effects of the war are very prominent. However, with time new buildings have replaced the old ones, creating a strange and very postmodern architectural impression.

Because there has been so much space in the eastern city centre, modern skyscrapers in various shapes and sizes now stretch their slender glass bodies toward the sky, surrounded by modest brick buildings from another century.

One of our favourite restaurants in London is in the eastern part of the city, Clerkenwell. Sessions Arts Club is housed in the old judges’ dining-room at Sessions House (hence the name), a beautiful historical building by a small square. The restaurant is surrounded by three terraces, rooftop bar, and garden, and decorated in an artsy fashion. The wine selection is small but excellent. It’s recommended that you order several dishes and then share them communally, so don’t come here with someone you’re not comfortable sharing a plate with.

If you fancy the painted workers’ jackets that the staff is wearing, you pick one up as you leave, but be prepared to pay approximately £650 (which is rather steep for a second-hand garment difficult to wash). It’s equally great for lunch as for dinner, but as it is very popular, reservation is more or less mandatory. Don’t forget to use their restroom, a vast beautiful space with a large window overlooking the internal staircase. 

Approximately 20 years ago, Shoreditch began its transformation from an industrial and improvised area to a neighbourhood popular among the young and creative. East London, which also includes Hackney, Dalston and adjoining neighbourhoods. People in fashion and media tend to gravitate in this direction, preferring the industrial buildings and generally more cosy restaurants, like minimalist Cycene, and trendy bars that are very frequent here, like Shoreditch’s The Light Bar, in a former Victorian power station. Shopping is more scare here than in the more central parts, but if you’re interested in interiors, you should visit House of Hackney, known for their Arts and Craft-inspired prints. Their shop is housed in an old church and is a great introduction to their Alessandro Michele-esque brand universe. 

Places and Parks

Not exactly in east London but nearby, in the bank district of London City, is The Ned, part of the Soho House conglomerate. The hotel has a great location, close both to the downtown and eastern parts, while also being within easy reach from west London. Its many restaurants and bars make it a popular destination for the bankers who work in the area and who use its gym, swimming pool, and spa before and after office hours. The rooms are comfortable, and because of the many types of restaurants in the hotel, room service is particularly flexible when it comes to different types of cuisine. 

London is full of covered 19th century galleries, such as the Leadenhall Market, where you’ll find everything from well-known designer shops to the unexpected and miscellaneous. 

2 Willow Road was one of the first Modernist buildings acquired by the National Trust. Designed by Ernó Goldfinger, he lived here with his family until his death in 1987.

If you fancy going for a stroll, try the Thames Barrier Park, a 7-hectare park in Silvertown in east London, named after its location on the north side of the river Thames, next to the Thames Barrier. It’s intended to aid the regeneration of the area by creating an attractive public space alongside residential and commercial developments. It was opened in 1995 and is considered the first largely postmodern park in London. One of the most eye-catching features is the “Green Dock”, a 130-foot-long sunken garden, running diagonally through the park. This is intended as a reminder of the park’s dockland heritage, while also providing a wind protected microclimate for a variety of plants and wildlife.

A completely different – and grander – type of park is The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, southwest of London (but easily reached by metro). Kew Gardens, founded in 1840 (built on the site of Kew Park, established in 1759), houses the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world.

Architecture

The Barbican Estate, or simply Barbican, is a residential complex, built in an area once devastated by the World War II bombings. It is a prominent example of British Brutalist architecture. The style emerged during the 1950s, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist constructions that showcase the bare building materials and structural elements over decorative design. The Barbican Conservatory is a glass—bound rainforest (and the second largest in London). The Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre, the largest of its kind in Europe.

The contemporary art gallery Hayward Gallery is another London landmark of brutalist architecture. 

Completely opposite is the Sir John Soane’s Museum, one of the world’s most special museums, by the Oxford Dictionary of Architecture described as “one of the most complex, intricate, and ingenious series of interiors ever conceived”. Visiting this house is a strange experience, one unexpected discovery after another, as the house seems to twist and turn around you. Many research seminars have been devoted to its peculiar structure and vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models, and paintings. During his lifetime, Soane was considered one of England’s greatest architects. After his death, his home (which he had also designed) was turned into a museum. 

Leighton House, in West London, is a great example of interiors in the Victorian Era. Lord Leighton was an avid traveller and found inspiration for his continuous expansions of his home in many different parts of the world. The house sits on the edge of Holland Park, and was a constant preoccupation of Lord Leighton, absorbing large amounts of his time, money, and effort. It combined spaces for living and working, and was regularly featured in the press, considered at the time an embodiment of how an artist should live. 

The most spectacular place to visit for an architectural experience is Eltham Palace and Gardens, just outside of London. Once a mediaeval royal palace, Eltham Palace is now the finest Art Deco mansion open for visits from the public. The most dramatic part of the interiors is the triangular entrance hall, created by Swedish designer Rolf Engströmer: Its walls are lined with black bean veneer and decorated with marquetry, probably the largest in a private interior, manufactured by Swedish department store NK. Another great place to visit, just slightly outside of London, is the Homewood in Surrey. The elevated former private house, with its lean modernist lines and industrial materials, is open plan with the spaces signified by furniture arrangement. It is spare, spacious and functional, yet comfortable.

An unexpected tip to include on this list is Italian fashion brand Prada, but the Prada caffè, housed in Harrods, is a three-dimensional experience of their pastel green brand universe, complete with delicious pastries, perfect for an early brunch or late afternoon treat.

If you’re looking for something more decidedly British, go to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and visit the Painted Hall. Designed in the early 18th century by Sir James Thornhill, it features 40,000 feet of Baroque walls and ceilings, every surface covered in images depicting 200 figures including royalties and mythological creatures. Today, it serves mainly as a tourist attraction, but is still used as a dining hall for special occasions.

While in Greenwich, also visit The Queen’s House, designed by Inigo Jones, which started the trend of English Palladianism, based in harmony, detail and proportion. Inspired by Italian building principles, it would later become the foundation of the influential Georgian style. 

Marylebone and Mayfair

The Chiltern Firehouse is owned by André Balazs, who also owns Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, and consists of 26 suites and a restaurant once called “London’s hottest celebrity hangout”. What makes this place so great? For one, it’s the architecture and interior design. As obvious already by the name, the hotel sits in an old firehouse on Chiltern Street. Already before you enter, you’ll see a large outdoor terrace, open both in summer and in winter. Inside there is a great cocktail bar, decorated in the warmer and more relaxed Mediterranean version of Art Deco, which gives the space a softer and homelier feel. Obviously, no photos are allowed as this is a place popular among the rich and famous, so instead of preparing photos to share on social media, practice being in the moment and enjoying what is happening here and now. The area is full of excellent niche stores. One of the best examples is Japanese Niwaki, selling Japanese garden supplies and handmade kitchen knives. If you do as most sensible travellers do and only travel with a carry-on, they also have an online store where you can order the knives and scissors you like. If you prefer a more rustic experience, opt for Hazlitt’s on Frith Street in Soho, housed in the former home of essayist William Hazlitt. 

Next to Marylebone is Mayfair, known for its many swanky hotels and extravagant shopping opportunities. The Ritz is the sister of the Paris hotel with the same name, best known for its afternoon teas, served from 1.30am to 7.30pm. Brown’s Hotel has been entertaining the world’s finest since 1837, today even including a Bentley chauffeur service as standard. This is where Alexander Graham Bell made his first phone call, as well as where The Jungle Book was written (in 1894). Claridge’s is often referred to as the “annexe to Buckingham Palace”. Founded in 1812 but has consistently changed with the times.

If looking for something more relaxed and budget-friendly, try the Mercato Mayfair, a place for cheap-and-cheerful food.

Shopping in Mayfair offers everything from the traditional – like Fortnum & Mason, where you don’t want to miss the cosy wine bar in the cellar – to the more contemporary, like fashion designer Wales Bonner, known for her colourful designs, and Palmer/Harding, minimalist womenswear label. Fashion brands with a longer history include Vivienne Westwood, mixing punk attitude with historical references, heritage brand Burberry (no further introduction necessary), and Mulberry, fashionable accessory and bag brand. 

Saville Row is still the world’s most renowned place for bespoke menswear, and Ozwald Boateng is considered the tailor that best balances traditions with contemporary aesthetics. Speaking of classics, Turnball & Asser has some of London’s best men’s shirts, and further down the street, you’ll find Paxton & Whitfield, one of Europe’s best artisanal cheese shops. Multi-brand store Dover Street Market is confusingly no longer on Dover Street but found on 18–22 Haymarket. Browns is the go-to place for those interested in premium and luxury fashion, presenting new and exclusive concepts each season.

For the traditionalist, Dunhill would be a better choice.

Had enough fashion shopping? Soho Home offers an interiors collection from Soho House that includes furniture, lighting, tableware, and accessories created for and inspired by the Houses of Soho. It’s a great place to visit, if only for inspiration (and for the coffee, as it doubles as a coffee shop). If you’re more in the mood for vintage pieces, try Alfie’s Antique Market in Paddington, full of designer classics. 

Art

One of the main reasons to visit London is its vibrant art scene. White Cube is one of the world’s premiere art galleries. Its Bermondsey filial in London was, at launch, Europe’s biggest commercial gallery.

London’s Design Museum might not have the most elaborate name, but it does state exactly what it is. Founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, the museum serves as a meeting point for the design industry, education, and the public, and the building itself is a Kensington landmark. 

The Serpentine are two contemporary art galleries in Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park in Central London. Since 1970, the Serpentine has presented pioneering exhibitions, and in the summer the pavilion hosts a range of events. Another option is Somerset House, which connects creativity and the arts with wider society. Don’t miss Spring, chef Skye Gyngell’s beautiful restaurant inside Somerset House. 

London is also home to some of the world’s finest art collections; National Gallery,

“I trust that it will remain for ages a Monument of discerning Liberality and a Source of Refinement and Progress,” stated Queen Victoria whenVictoria and Albert Museum received its name, in 1899. Its origins can be traced back to the Great Exhibition of 1851. Initially, the museum collections covered both applied art and science, and its explicit aim was to inspire young generations to become the artists and scientists of the future. When it opened in 1857, it was the first museum of its kind in the world. Still today, V&A reflects the past as much as it aspires to shape the future.

Tate Modern houses the United Kingdom’s national collection of international modern and contemporary art. It’s located in the former Bankside Power Station, in the Bankside area of the London Borough of Southwark. Originally, the power station was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who also planned the Battersea Power Station. Located directly across the river from St. Paul’s Cathedral, it was built in two stages, between 1947 and 1963, but closed in 1981.

Prior to redevelopment, the power station was a long, steel framed, brick clad building with a central, 99 metres tall chimney. For many years, it was at risk of being demolished by developers. Many people campaigned for it to be saved, and in 1994, the Tate Gallery announced that Bankside would be the home of the new Tate Modern. After a competition, it was decided that Herzog & de Meuron were the winning architects. The most obvious external change was the two-story glass extension on one half of the roof. Much of the original internal structure remained, including the cavernous main turbine hall.

Tate Britain is part of the Tate network of galleries in England, with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St. Ives. Opened in 1897, Tate Britain is the oldest gallery in the network.It houses a substantial collection of the art of the United Kingdom since Tudor times, and is the most compressive collection of its kind in the world. It’s particularly known for its large holdings of the works of William Turner, who bequeathed all his own collection to the nation.

British Museum is dedicated to history, art, and culture. The museum first opened to the public on 15 January 1759 in Montagu House in Bloomsbury, on the site of the current museum building.

The National Gallery is London’s equivalent to the Louvre. Founded in 1824, it was placed in Trafalgar Square in central London to be accessible  to people from all social classes, for the enjoyment of the people.

The Wallace Collection, on permanent display at Hertford House, contains an outstanding art collection that includes works by Titian, Velásquez, Rubens, and Van Dyck.

To Stay

The Ned – Housed in a former bank in the City, this 1920s-styled hotel is part of the Soho House-group.

Chiltern Firehouse – The best hotel (and bar) in London.

Brown’s Hotel – A classic, part of British cultural history.

The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell – Small and personal, known specifically for their great cocktails.

The Portobello Hotel – Charming and relaxed.

At Sloane – Upscale yet informal, a home away from home.

Hazlitt’s Soho – A favourite among the creative crowds.

To Eat and Drink

Fischers – Viennese restaurant and café on 50, Marylebone High Street.

Claridge’s Hotel – London’s best (and probably most expensive) afternoon tea.

The Light Bar, Shoreditch – Contemporary and seasonally based cuisine in an ancient power plant.

Sessions Art Club –Shabby chic and artisanal vibes.

Prada Caffè, Harrods – Fashionable delicacies.

Mercato Mayfair – Cheap and cheerful, perfect for a quick lunch.

Bacchanalia, Mayfair – Culinary delights combined with artwork by Damien Hirst.

Brasserie of Light – Some of London’s most stylish restrooms at Selfridge’s.

Clos Maggiore – Perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

Jacuzzi Trattoria – A piece of Italy on High Street Kensington.

Hide – Fine dining and stylish interior design.

To Shop

Niwaki – Great gardening supplies from Japan.

Connolly – Classic, British clothing.

Fortnum & Mason – Don’t miss the wine bar in the cellar.

Turnbull & Asser – The definitive Briths shirtmaker.

Dover Street Market – Conceptual contemporary fashion.

Browns – Inspiring house of fashion.

Leadenhall Market – Beautiful galleria with glass-ceiling.

Soho Home – Furniture inspired by Soho House.

Alfie’s Antique Market – Great indoors market, full of design classics and miscellaneous things.

Paxton & Whitfield – London’s best cheese shop.

James Smith & Sons Umbrellas – Acclaimed as the world’s premiere umbrella experts.

Burberry – England’s foremost heritage brand. Visit their flagship store on 121 Regent Street.

Mulberry –Quintessentially British luxury.

Ozwald Boateng – Slick Saville Row-tailor.

Vivienne Westwood –Eco-friendly, punk-inspired high fashion.

Wales Bonner – The best emerging British fashion brand around.

To Visit

The Homewood – Modernist house in Surrey.

2 Willow Road – Designed by Ernó Goldfinger, a modernist classic.

Hauser & Wirth –Cutting-edge art gallery founded in Zürich.

180 The Strand –An iconic brutalist building transformed into a creative hub for people and progress.

British Museum –A collection of more than 9,000 objects on display, as well as contemporary art installations.

Eltham Palace and Gardens – One of the world’s most exquisite art deco-interiors.

Hayward Gallery – World-renowned contemporary art gallery.

The National Gallery of Art – Founded as a gift to the nation, the Gallery serves as a centre of visual art, education, and culture.

Newport Street Gallery – Presents exhibitions of work drawn from Damien Hirst’s art collection.

Saatchi Gallery – Contemporary art gallery.

Serpentine Galleries – Free contemporary art gallery in Kensington Gardens.

Somerset House – Great exhibition, and don’t miss its restaurant, Spring.

Victoria and Albert Museum – One of the world’s greatest museums.

Whitechapel Gallery – Founded in 1901 to “bring great art to the people in the East End of London”.

White Cube – Impressive art gallery founded by Jay Joplin.

Zabludowicz Collection – Gallery dedicated to championing and supporting emerging artists.