Art Deco Arsenal – a walking tour in North London
Event Information
Description
On this walk we'll look at some stylish buildings in N4 and N5 and we'll see how the clean lines and design devices of the Art Deco period has continued to inspire architects ever since.
We'll visit places of entertainment, commerce, travel, business, health and sport, covering a cross-section of the genre – both impressive statement pieces of the 1930s and post-WW2 buildings inspired by the movement.
The walk lasts 90 minutes and finishes close to Finsbury Park tube station.
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Art Deco began in France as Arts Décoratifs just before 1910 yet it wasn't until the mid-1920s that it had really taken hold. Soon major cities such as London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Miami were constructing bigger and better examples of this type and very quickly the motivational style had spread right around the globe.
Art Deco was designed to look to a bright future – a clean bold statement after WW1 heralding a new start, a new beginning – and a complete change from what was seen as the fussiness of the Victorian and Edwardian periods with layers of over-embellishment, swirls and flourishes.
Art Deco looks impressive and expensive because often only the best quality materials were used – silver, onyx and jade for jewellery; walnut, leather and chrome for furniture; fine-glazed tiles and hand carved reliefs on buildings.
Many items were designed to resemble transport such ocean liners and aircraft in an aspirational bid to imply speed and moving forward; looking to a bright future. Stylised artwork was all the rage depicting slim elegant women with equally slim dogs. It was a kind of "understated showing-off"!
In London we have many impressive buildings in the Art Deco style – The Adelphi off The Strand, The Carreras factory in Camden, Senate House near Russell Square, The Hoover Building in Perivale, department stores such Barkers of Kensington, tube stations such as Arnos Grove and Turnpike Lane, and many beautiful cinemas and theatres too many to list here.
Come and meet the not-so-well-known and not-so-well-documented Art Deco gems of North London.
See also my Art Deco Holloway walking tour
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Please note that online sales end one hour before the tour commences.
For last-minute bookings please call me on 07941 475003 to see if spaces are available.
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My other Holloway Walks (please see my other listings):
• Art Deco Holloway
• The Oxford Street of The North (Holloway in the late Victorian and Edwardian period)
• Pubs and Taverns of Holloway Rd (short and long tours available)
• Green and Pleasant Islington (southern end of Holloway Rd)
• The Only Way Is Essex Road (historical innovations and highlights)
Coming soon – Ghostsigns of Holloway (hand-painted ads and signs of the past)
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FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
There is no minimum age.
Children under 6 are welcome at no charge.
However, please note that all other children up to age 15 must be accompanied by an adult – one child per paying adult.
Where exactly does this tour start?
Details of the meeting point will be on your ticket.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Please don't waste time and resources printing out your ticket.
I will have a list of attendees on the day, although it would be wise to make a note of your booking reference
Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?
In cases of illness or unforseen circumstances involving no-shows I will be happy to transfer your booking to another walk on another date. However, you might be able to offer your ticket to a friend ... please see the next question...
Is it OK if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?
This is fine – just email me and let me know the name of the person who will be taking your place.
Is this tour suitable for wheelchairs?
The walk will be mostly on standard shopping pavements and as such should not pose any problems further to those experienced on an average high street.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Email: jane@janeslondon.com
Mobile: +44(0)7941 475003