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Offered languages
- English
- English
This self-guided walking tour explores Belsize Park, London's most cosmopolitan artistic enclave in the 1930s, where British modernists lived alongside refugees from fascism and war. You'll explore the quiet streets that housed an extraordinary community of artists, poets, and writers who shaped British modernism while creating some of their most influential works. Pass Henry Moore's former studio where he created his famous Reclining Figure sculptures and wartime Shelter Drawings, discover where Piet Mondrian lived while creating celebrated geometric paintings, and stand outside the striking modernist Isokon Building where Bauhaus architects lived alongside Agatha Christie. This 90-minute tour reveals how this affordable quarter between expensive Hampstead and working-class Camden became a creative sanctuary during one of the most turbulent decades of the 20th century.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The tour starts at Belsize Park Underground Station (Northern Line) on Haverstock Hill, London, NW3. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Begin your journey at this charming tube station that served as the gateway to London's most cosmopolitan artistic enclave in the 1930s. Discover how this affordable quarter between expensive Hampstead and working-class Camden became a creative sanctuary for artists fleeing fascism and war.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass the former studio where sculptor Henry Moore created his famous Reclining Figure sculptures and powerful wartime Shelter Drawings. Marvel at how this modest workspace produced some of Britain's most iconic modernist art during the tumultuous 1940s.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore these Victorian artist cottages that became the epicenter of British modernism in the 1930s. Walk through the area where Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, and critic Herbert Read lived and worked in what Read called "a gentle nest of artists."
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stand outside the house where Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian created some of his most celebrated geometric paintings. Discover how this master of color and form found refuge here before ultimately fleeing to New York as war approached.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll past the houses where a remarkable Chinese artists' colony flourished, creating works that fused Eastern and Western traditions. Learn about the playwright behind Lady Precious Stream and the artist known as The Silent Traveller who called this street home.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Marvel at this striking modernist apartment building designed as an experiment in communal living and modern architecture. Explore the former home of Bauhaus architects Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, who lived alongside detective novelist Agatha Christie.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass the commemorative marker honoring three pioneering Bauhaus masters who brought continental modernism to Britain. Reflect on how these refugee architects transformed British design during their time in this creative community.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Visit the former home of war artist C.R.W. Nevinson, whose powerful paintings brought the brutal realities of World War I to the British public. Discover how this Belsize Park residence became the studio where he created some of Britain's most haunting wartime imagery.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk through this vibrant junction where Belsize Park meets Hampstead, a crossroads for the area's artistic residents. Enjoy the neighborhood atmosphere that attracted writers, poets, and painters seeking affordable accommodation near London's cultural heart.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass this traditional Victorian pub that served as a social hub for the artistic community throughout the 1930s. Experience the convivial atmosphere where British modernists and European refugees gathered to exchange ideas over drinks.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore this small gallery dedicated to preserving the history of the Isokon Building and its remarkable residents. Discover photographs, documents, and stories that bring to life this unique architectural and social experiment in modernist living.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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