Exploring London and Beyond: A Designer’s Guide to England’s Hidden Gems
London is a city where history meets innovation, and design weaves through every corner, from grand historic landmarks to modern architectural marvels. As someone who studied at the Inchbald School of Design and lived in this vibrant city, I’ve curated a list of must-visit locations for design enthusiasts. Whether you’re captivated by interior design, historic architecture, or lush gardens, this guide will take you beyond the typical tourist spots into the heart of England’s design culture.
This “Designer’s Guide” is going to be an ongoing series where I choose my favorite places in London and the surrounding areas that go beyond the typical tourist attractions, although no shade on the places that everyone loves to see! If you’ve never been to London before, it can be overwhelming to decide what to focus on in a short few days. The city is massive, filled with unique characteristic neighborhoods, and packed with history! So I understand the desire to immediately go to see Big Ben, book an expensive ticket to hop on the London Eye, or watch the changing of the guards outside of Buckingham Palace. That’s what everyone wants to do! HOWEVER, if you’re anything like me, you may want to go to a few quieter places that will wow you, make you cry with joy, or inspire your inner artist or designer (in addition to avoiding the throngs of tourists). This city is, I believe, one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the world. I lived in London for long enough to explore many of the areas that I would have never seen on a week-long trip. I even made it my personal mission to experience as much as physically possible during my time there! As a result of my own obsessive exploration, I feel I can comment on the value of some of these activies, although, of course, there’s always more to learn and do! I feel I’ll never tire of the city!
In the following posts, I will highlight my favorite hidden (and not so hidden) gems with a focus on my own personal interests: beautiful spaces and architecture, gardens, and cozy or interesting environments. I’m a huge fan of vintage shopping and delicious food, and there’s nothing I love more than plotting a day where I can grab an oat latte at a new coffee shop, hop on a train, and arrive at a historic and beautiful location that I can explore for as long as I want. Just know that there will be a plethora of historic houses and gardens on this list. Perhaps those should each be their own series? We’ll see how we go. Thanks for tuning in, and I can’t wait to get to the inspiration!
