DIY City Blog

There are so many things to see and do in London, but where do you go if you are into arts and crafts? Well, in my new feature ‘A Day out in London’ I will be helping to point you in the right direction. Today’s feature is: the South Bank, east side southbanklondon.com. Some say the South Bank is a ‘boulevard’ of historical romance and culture.

I will start by giving you a map for the first part of the journey.

Get yourself to Waterloo Bridge and you are looking to be situated on the Southeast bank, you will see signs for the National Theatre in front of you. Feeling confident where you are, start to walk and enjoy your surroundings. Firstly you will come across a skater and graffiti rink for teenagers on your right… stop for a while and check out these crazy folk practising a mixture of skate, bike and free-jumping techniques. This is a great spot if you are into urban photography. If you’d rather not hold your breath that long take a closer look at some of the graffiti before you go, there is some great street art there.

Moving on you will come to a book market on your left, called ‘the South Bank Book Market’ no less. Take your time and browse the second-hand books for sale, while there are many more novels and reference books, there are also a few craft books to inspire your next project. You will find the prices usually written in pencil on the first page, behind each cover.

As you leave the book market you will notice on your right London’s National Theatre. It’s always worth checking out what’s on as you pass, maybe you can book something for later in the evening? If that’s not your thing, don’t stroll past… they do some great food for lunches, or light suppers!

The Oxo Tower is next on your right, after the street performers on the green… Now here is where arts and crafts really start to take over your walk. Check out the three floors of this tower block… you don’t want to miss anything!

The Oxo Tower Wharf houses a number of design shops. There are 32 designer-makers studios including fabulous contemporary ceramics, glass, lighting, furniture, fashion, jewellery and home accessories.

Shops normally open 11am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday If you are making a special trip to visit a particular designer we recommend that you ring before hand.

These are some of my favourites:

• The Gallery @ Oxo – fine art, sculpture and photography
• Eco Annie (Annie Sherburne) – eco craft supplies, as well as her own art works.
• Michele Oberdieck – textile and fashion designer

There also a fantastic milliner there too!

Next up is Gabriel’s Wharf. You will find this on your right and this is a real hidden treat… go in… go on, don’t be shy! Enjoy several indie designers, photographers, jewellers, ceramists and woodcrafters. This is real eye candy for any DIYer and has a real buzz about it during the spring and summer months!

If you can drag yourself away from Gabriel’s Wharf (and if you have any budget left!), why not grab your self an ice-cream and stroll along the river front watching the river boats sailing past, until you find the Founder’s Arms Pub. This is probably a nice place to stop for some refreshments, en-route to London’s Tate Modern.

The Tate Modern is one of London’s newer national museums and hosts a large number of contemporary art pieces from 1900 to present day. Admission is free, but you are always welcome to add a few coins to the donation box on the way in, or out… oh and did I mention they have the most fantastic book shop! Great for art reference, you should be able to find research material for any number of contemporary art styles and periods, including graphics, fashion and much more.

What is the crack in the floor of the Tate modern? That’s art my dear! Unfortunately it’s recently been filled in to make way for a new art installation, but it was quite a controversial piece while it was being undertaken as part of ‘The Unilever Series’. This installation was commissioned in 2007 by the museum from Colombian artist/sculptor Doris Salcedo and since has been a major interactive piece among their collections. Here’s a link for more information.

The final destinations on my walk along the South Bank are steeped in English literary history and are a must see for any fan of Shakespeare. The Globe (shakespeares-globe.org) …

Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare’s Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare’s work, and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of education and performance.
Together, the Globe Theatre Company, Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition and Globe Education seek to further the experience and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance. (Ref. shakespeares-globe.org/information/abouttheglobe)

Why not take a tour around the theatre or stop and see a show… Once you have finished, you can pop across the court yard to The Swan and spoil yourself with some romantic dinning before the trip home.
If you feel like taking a longer walk and encompassing extra hidden away features from the South Bank, or would prefer to split your adventure across two days then here’s a recommended sight seeing walk I found just for you.

by: Sara Millis

Come and visit me, for craft news, my on-line magazine (blog), events & shopping at Sara’s Texture Crafts
sarastexturecrafts.fusiveweb.co.uk