Perth Western Australia 6000
(08) 9261 6666
http://www.londoncourt.com.au
Have you ever noticed that Perth has a wonderful Tudor spirit? Yes, Yes Yes. The city is full of buildings and building details that are neo-16th century, hidden in front of your very royal nose.
London Court is one of those places where you truly feel transported in time (no need of drugs), to feel you are walking an old European alley. You could even forget that you are in Australia and think that this is, indeed, London, if it was not for the very Australian shops and the Australian elements on display.
The court has a wonderful mock Tudor style, with its unmistakable architecture and arches, tiled floor, several floor stories with their narrow stairs to the upper shops and workshops, cute little windows, heraldic blazons, gargoyles, iron pikes, shop plaques, pending banners, and two charming knights, perennially armed and standing, tall and proud, awaiting the photo and loving gaze of any passer-by.
T
he thing about London Court is that, despite its "fakeness", it does not feel unauthentic, not even a movie set, and that is what makes the place so special. Some places have magic power, that inexplicable something that, no matter what you build on them or transform them into, makes them special. The place where London Court stands does have it. You just have to feel in your body, the change in energy before entering the Court and when you exit the other end gate. That is what makes London Court what it is, and gives it the atmosphere it has.The court itself is s a mini-Universe of fine and cheap jewellers, shoe shops, gift and souvenir shops, antiques, workshops and small cafés piled one on each other with order and cosiness. The renting of the shopping space has become extremely expensive in the last five years and some of my fav places have gone forever, and the ones standing have high prices. Still, you can enjoy some window shopping, shop till you drop, or delight yourself at the micro-climate of the alley in the hot summer months. The shops are not cheap, but walking around is.
You must walk the place slowly, preferably in the early hours of the morning or at dusk, when the shops are still open but there are not many visitors around and you become part of the setting, and the visit is more enjoyable.
Magic wand needed and an extra-tall staircase to kiss the white knights into frogs and take them to my secret pond.
