Ye olde London Court, Perth

Reflecting on my home city, Perth, Western Australia, I am impressed by the constant changes, progress of major infrastructure projects and the mix of old and new.  Despite the many changes and new life being injected into the city, one thing remains constant, London Court.

Running between Hay Street and St George’s Terrace, London Court is one of Perth’s more quirky shopping arcades that has stood the test of time. This gorgeous arcade has a lot to offer and as you enter you find yourself transported back to 16^th century’s Tudor times and it is hard to belief you are in Perth, Western Australia and not in London.

Reminiscent of Elizabethan England, London Court was designed in 1937 for a wealthy gold miner and financier. Built as a combination of residential and commercial premises incorporating Tudor design elements and a replica of Big Ben at the entrance, London Court attracts international visitors with its unique architecture nestled under the contrasting sky scrapers.

There is something unique about strolling from St George’s Terrace to Hay Street Mall via a 16th century Tudor style arcade with an open roof taking in the vivid blue sky Perth is famous for. But did you know back in 1937 while plastering in London Court a name was marked into the plaster (B. Burford). It blends in so well and most miss seeing it unless they know where to look.

It’s a little sad nowadays that practically nobody stops to watch the clock as it chimes on the hour. I recall the excitement as a little girl when we’d stand at the Hay Street entrance and wait to watch the jousting knights charge at each other as the clock struck on the hour. The blue faced clock is a replica of great clock in Rouen, France.  Under the clock face is a quote, “No minute gone ever back again. Take heed and see ye nothing do in vain”. Above the clock four knights, known as “Tournament of Amoured Knights”, circle the window when the clock chimes every quarter of an hour.

At the St George’s Terrace end of London Court is another clock. This clock replicates Big Ben and above St George doing battle with the dragon.

There are many decorative features, a statue of Dick Whittington and his cat and another of Sir Walter Raleigh, face each other at opposite ends of the arcade. London Court has huge wrought iron gates at each entrance, hand carved gargoyles, shields and crests. There are several weather vanes, copper coloured ships, decorative moulded ceilings and decorative lions and unicorns adorn the rubbish bins. There are arched iron openings leading to the landings of second and third floors giving the feeling of narrow street facades. Under the open roofed court lead lighting on the windows with ornamental window boxes provide the perfect chance to catch a glimpse of the vivid blue sky Perth is famous for.

This is a very special place for anyone visiting Perth to step back in ye olde England, wander along the pathways and peer into the small windows. In London Court you can be enchanted by the musical drama of the big clock as it chimes on the hour in a village like atmosphere of life in an era past.

The blue faced clock at the Hay Street end of London Court strikes every quarter of an hour and is a replica of the “Great Clock” at Rouen in France. Above the clock four knights, known as “Tournament of Armoured Knights”, circle in the window when the clock chimes. Have you heard the clock chime at London Court, Perth?

Ye olde London Court is a very special place for anyone visiting Perth, a village like atmosphere of life in an era past.

Did you know about London Court? Would you include a walk through next time you’re in the city?

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