Travel Guide: London / Art and Architecture
From old classics to new haunts
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 it had been 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.
