So much creative Inspiration on one London Trip - I always get excited traveling from Leeds to London by train, arriving at Kings Cross and stepping into the vibrant buzz of the metropolis of culture. I recently visited for a three-day trip with my husband, Peter...........Where to Start?!
Day 1
We began at The Lightroom, just near Kings Cross Station, to see Vogue: Inventing the Runway. It’s must-see. You stand in a massive room painted white, and on three walls, images are projected. Cate Blanchett narrates a stunning 45-minute film loop about fashion, exploring iconic designers and their approaches to presenting their collections. Featured designers include Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, and Vivienne Westwood. The experience is both visually stunning and informative. Who knew that a fashion show was held on the Great Wall of China, or that a Chanel runway featured a rocket that took off?
Next, we stumbled upon a Spanish restaurant nearby called Barrafina in Coal Drops Yard. I rediscovered the delicious sangria, a favourite of many clients. I had Dover sole that just melted in your mouth. We both had an amazing time. We stayed at an aparthotel in Earls Court called Ember Locke Kensington. The location may seem far from the centre, but it’s on the Piccadilly Line, making it easy to get to everything in
London. The interior décor is colourful, with oranges, greens, and plants everywhere, and lots of young people working on their laptops. We loved the ambiance, the lounge, the reception areas, and the cool rooms—each one comes with a kitchenette.
In the evening, we walked to The Greatest Showman musical, just 10 minutes away in a museum. We were treated to a spectacular show with the favourite Showman music, singing, acrobatics, and real showmanship. Members of the cast wandered around, and we loved every moment of it.
Day 2
We travelled on the Uber Water Taxi to Greenwich to visit the Royal Naval College, the Cutty Sark, and other famous attractions. We had a guided tour of the Cutty Sark, a tall ship tea clipper, which was fascinating. I loved the collection of figureheads donated to the museum, all brightly coloured. The ship was built for the China Tea Trade, making round trips from England to China. The Victorians wanted to taste the first tea of the season, so they began the “Great Tea Races,” and the Cutty Sark was designed for speed. I was amazed to learn that, despite the ship sailing in all kinds of weather, with the sails always at full mast, only five sailors lost their lives while sailing her.
Queen Anne’s House
Built in the 1600s and originally for Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I, this house was a luxurious retreat for royalty. It contains a large selection of art, including portraits and naval art, as well as a perfect cube room—one of the few in the country. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Royal Observatory
A stunning building perched atop a hill in Greenwich Park. I’ve always wanted to see the Meridian Line in Greenwich, which marks Greenwich Mean Time, and there it was. We also booked a show called Chasing the Moon, which detailed the planets visible in the sky that week. The views from the observatory were breathtaking.
Day 3
Leighton House
I happened to discover Leighton House at 12 Holland Park, the former home and studio of the celebrity artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830–1896). We wandered around this stunning house, which was once visited by society’s elite, including Queen Victoria. Leighton became very wealthy in his 30s due to his popularity for portrait painting, and he built this house, adding extensions such as the Arab Hall, with a pond and Arabian tiles, and the Winter Studio. There’s also a lovely café overlooking the garden—a hidden gem.
The Design Museum, Kensington
I’ve always been fascinated by Tim Burton’s work, especially the films he has directed, like Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) starring Johnny Depp. I’ve never seen such creativity in one room! Tim Burton is a creative genius. The museum featured his sketches, stop-motion models used in films, sketchbooks (even napkin sketches), costumes, and Umpa Lumpa models, all accompanied by a soundtrack.
If you’ve never been to the Design Museum, it’s a must-visit. The building itself is
architecturally stunning, and there is so much to see—and it’s free (unless you visit a special exhibition).
Rounded off with a visit to The National Portrait Gallery ........ phew - and a trip back to London with a large glass of wine..... !
Peter Bowerman
Author