Travel Modernism Limited

London Modernism


Greater London has a huge range of modernist themed tours to choose from which include transportation, hotels, apartments, houses, factories, offices and estates, many of these have been overlooked and forgotten.  Join us for a tour of the well known and hidden gems of London's modernist architecture and culture.


London Underground Stations - feature modernist architecture that were built between the 1920s and 1940s.  One of the principal architects was Charles Holden and some of his designs can be seen in the gallery below which include Southgate, Oakwood and Chiswick Park.  Holden would also design the headquarters of Underground Electric Railways Company of London at 55 Broadway and the University of London's Senate House.  Other stations such as Osterley and Boston Manor were designed by Stanley Heaps and Park Royal by Felix Lander.  Surbiton station by James Robb Scott for Southern Railways in 1938 is considered one of the finest modernist stations in the country.


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Hotels, Offices and Transport - The Savoy Hotel on the Strand is unashamedly art deco in style but perfectly in tune with the 1930s designed Citroen 2CV.  The Ibex House on Minories, designed by Fuller, Hall and Foulsham and completed in 1937 is a rare survivor of a modernist office block.  Two areas of London that generated modernist buildings during their heyday was the A40/Great West Road and the Purley Way.  The former counts the Hoover Building amongst its treasures, designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners during the 1930s it is now used by Tescos and an Indian restaurant.  Purley Way in many ways was the Heathrow of its day with Croydon Airport becoming the aerial gateway to the world.  The terminal building and hotel though inspired by a classical art deco design incorporate many functional elements in processing passengers from check in to departure.  The area attracted engineering companies that built offices and factories along the Purley Way to cater for the aviation expansion taking place at the Airport.

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Residential - London contains a fascinating cross section of modernist homes which include local authority, housing association, private developments and individual commissions.  The Excalibur Estate shown below was built between 1945 and 1946 by prisoners of war to house families displaced by bomb damaged in South East London.  The Estate comprised single storey prefabricated bungalows designed by the Ministry of Works which included two bedrooms, indoor garden and a small plot of land for gardening or for growing food.  Although only considered a temporary measure these dwellings proved to be long lasting and a pleasure to their residents, sadly many have been demolished in the last couple of years but six have protective listings.

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Eltham Palace

The land on which Eltham Palace now stands began as a gift from the Bishop of Durham to King Edward II in 1305 as a Royal Residence. Edward IV commissioned the building of the Great Hall in the 1470s which has one of the largest hammerbeam roof in the Country. Henry VIII lived here as a child but by the time of the English Civil War it was largely in ruins due to neglect.   Stephen and Virginia Courtauld acquired a lease on the property in 1933 and proceeded to undertake a sympathetic restoration of the Great Hall and the construction of a new building that incorporated the latest design fashions and technology. The Courtaulds entertained family and friends during the late 1930s and the early years of the Second World War before departing to Africa via Scotland. At the end of the War, the site was allocated to the Royal Army Educational Corps who stayed until 1992. English Heritage took responsibility for the site in 1995 and opened to the public fours years later after extensive conservation work.

Spring time is the ideal time to book a tour of Eltham Palace with its gardens blooming and sunshine illuminating the glorious art deco interiors. The Palace also offers the opportunity to see a medieval hall, Japanese gardens and a delicious selection of refreshments. Our Citroen 2CV is the perfect vehicle to transport you and your guests to this hidden gem in London.

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