An Art Deco Trail

Route & what to see

london-footprints.co.uk

This trail links 34 Art Deco buildings in central London with walks and use of public transport (Travelcard zone 1). It may be rather gruelling to do the whole route at once but you can stop and start as you please. Generally there is no public access inside. The exceptions are indicated and foyers of theatres/cinemas can be visited.

Starting at Victoria Station exit into Buckingham Palace Road and go south to view the COACH STATION and IMPERIAL AIRWAYS building at number 157-197. Return through the station at Eccleston Bridge and exit into Wilton Road to view the APOLLO VICTORIA. Take the tube, bus or walk to St James's Park Station and view the LONDON UNDERGROUND HQ building. There are public passageways through this with displays.

From Broadway take Victoria Street westwards and go left through Artillery Row to view ARTILLERY HOUSE. Go through Greycoat Place and along Greycoat Street to view the NEW RHS HALL. Go around this into Elverton Street, right at Horseferry Road then right into Regency Street to view (or patronise) the REGENCY CAFE. Go left into Page Street to view the GROSVENOR ESTATE.

At Marsham Street take number 88 bus to the north end of Whitehall to view the WHITEHALL THEATRE. Continue along the Strand and go down Villiers Street just past Charing Cross Station. Go left along John Adam Street then right at Robert Street to view the ADELPHI. Continue along Savoy Place past SHELL MEX HOUSE to the SAVOY HOTEL. Take Carting Lane alongside this and the SAVOY THEATRE and go right to view the Strand entrances.

Return westwards along the Strand to the ADELPHI THEATRE. Go through William IV Street, across Charing Cross Road into Leicester Square via Irving Street. View the ODEON on the east side and WARNER VILLAGE by exiting at the north east corner

Take the tube (Piccadilly line) from Leicester Square to Russell Square. Go along Herbrand Street opposite the station to view the DAIMLER GARAGE. Detour into Woburn Place to view RUSSELL COURT. Return and go across Russell Square to view the SENATE HOUSE. Go into Keppel Street on the other side of the University of London buildings to view LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE. Continue across Gower Street along Store Street and left at Tottenham Court Road. View the DOMINION THEATRE at the south end. Continue along Charing Cross Road viewing the PHOENIX. Go right into Old Compton Street to view the PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE.

Continue along Old Compton Street going across Wardour Street into Brewer Street. On the corner with Lexington Street is the former LEX GARAGE. Go to the end of Lexington Street then left into Broadwick Street. The MARSHALL LEISURE CENTRE is situated at the end of Dofours Place to the right. Return to Broadwick Street and go left then first left at Poland Street and left along Great Marlborough Street. View IDEAL HOUSE and go right into Argyll Street. Go left to Oxford Circus then right along Regent Street. Continue into Langham Place to view BROADCASTING HOUSE. Continue along Portland Place to view the RIBA building at number 66. This is open to the public with exhibitions, cafe and bookshop. From Portland Place go right at Devonshire Street and left along Great Portland Street. Take the bus or tube to Baker Street Station. Go northwards along Baker Street to view DORSET HOUSE and the ABBEY premises

Return to Baker Street and take the tube to Barbican Station. From Aldersgate Street go right into Long Lane then through Lindsey Street and across to Charterhouse Square to view FLORIN COURT. From Charterhouse Street go along Cowcross Street. The offices of the 20th Century Society are at number 70. Either take a train from Farringdon to City Thameslink or a bus from Farringdon Road to Ludgate Circus. Go along Fleet Street to view the former DAILY EXPRESS and DAILY TELEGRAPH buildings. Return to Ludgate Circus and go down New Bridge Street to view the UNILEVER building. Cross to Blackfriars Station where the trail finishes.

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