London Design Districts: Guide to Must-Visit Design Districts in London, Including Shops, Galleries, and Architectural Landmarks

Introduction to London Design Districts

A hub for artists, architects and anyone with an interest in the interior design world. London is a city where all design lovers will find the inspiration they need and more, this incredible town is home to some of the most exciting showrooms with perfect examples!

Shoreditch: A Hub of Creativity

Shoreditch is a vibrant area in East London with an impressive cultural heritage and revolutionary approach to design. Here are some highlights:

Boxpark Shoreditch

Boxpark Shoreditch is one of the quirkier shopping spots in repurposed shipping containers, with over 8 beauty retailers. This shopping destination has a combination of independent boutiques, pop-up shops and street food traders to create an exciting and varied retail experience.

Redchurch Street

There are some independent design stores and galleries here on reddish church Street. This is the place to uncover new in-home decor, furniture and art by up-and-coming designers.

Shoreditch House

Over at the Shoreditch House private members’ club, an emblematic example of the stylish and creative milieu in a district known for its vivacious spirit. The hotel has an elegant interior and a rooftop pool, making it the perfect place for some design inspiration.

Clerkenwell: Design Heritage and Innovation

Clerkenwell – which apparently has a rich design heritage and is the epicenter of all things architecture, located here in London. Key attractions include:

Clerkenwell Design Week

The Clerkenwell Design Week, an annual celebration of the district’s world-class design creativity. It includes shows, installations and presentations including the latest trends of design.

The Goldsmiths’ Centre

The Goldsmiths’ Centre is situated right in the heart of London’s jewelry and silversmithing neighborhood. The place offers exhibitions, workshops and events that serve to illuminate the skill of fine jewelry and metalwork.

St John’s Gate

This one dates back to the 16th century and is considered a historical landmark. The beautiful architecture and an impressive history contribute towards making it a stop for every architectural enthusiast.

Chelsea: Elegance and Sophistication

West London’s Chelsea is synonymous with style and sophistication. The area houses many high-end design stores and galleries.

King’s Road

The famous shopping street is a mix of exclusive boutiques, designer showrooms and trendy cafes.  It showcases high-end home decor and fashion.

Chelsea Harbour Design Centre

Chelsea Harbour Design Centre is very well known by today’s top interior designers and design fans. It contains more than 100 showrooms displaying the best in furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories.

Saatchi Gallery

A contemporary art gallery with rotating exhibitions of cutting-edge, modern design. Located in Chelsea, and boasting minimalist architecture with avant-garde displays.

South Kensington: Cultural and Design Nexus

South Kensington is a cultural and design hub, housing some of London’s best-loved museums and leading universities for art and architecture.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is the world’s greatest museum of art & design. With a vast array of decorative arts and design, an extensive selection in fashion, textiles and ceramics makes this museum never-endingly inspiring for creative designers.

Design Museum

Kensington High Street’s Design Museum offers contemporary design in all its forms, whether architecture or fashion to graphics and product design. The exhibitions and collections of the museum showcase design as an intrinsic unifier that transcends boundaries between culture, geography, technology.

Exhibition Road

The Science Museum and Natural History Museum is Exhibition Road -something of a cultural superhighway. And the street itself is a brilliant piece of design, featuring shared space that encourages and makes for a great pedestrian experience.

Greenwich: Maritime Heritage and Modern Design

Greenwich is located in Southeast of London and encapsulates a rare combination of maritime history versus modern design.

Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market, a lively market filled with antiques and arts as well as crafts. They have some very nice decorations that will make any home look unique and you can also support local artists who sell their handmade items there as well.

The O2

The O2 is an iconic entertainment complex with stunning architecture. With its iconic dome, it is unmistakable on the Greenwich skyline and stands out as a symbol of design innovation.

Old Royal Naval College

It’s a Heritage site favored for its grand Baroque architecture The immaculately preserved olden buildings and gardens present a sight of London’s glorious architectural past.

Conclusion: Exploring London’s Design Districts

In London the scene is thriving, and as such many of the regions across this city have some exceptional design talent that should not be missed. Whether you prefer the edgy, trend setting vibe of Shoreditch or the refined elegance Chelsea is famed for, every district has its own charm. And diving into these design districts, will help you imbibe the creative vibrancy of London and why truly it is a city with iconic designs.