Wednesday, July 8, 2015

God's Own Junkyard: A Neon Wonderland


Last weekend, John and I went exploring and ticked off one of the places on my "must-see" list in London: God's Own Junkyard. I've read about this legendary establishment in dozens of magazines and blogs and wanted to see it in all its neon glory for myself!

Isn't it wonderful?


Originally owned by the late neon sign designer and collector Chris Bracey, the shop is now run by his family. It houses a collection which includes neon backdrops that Chris had been commissioned to make for Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut and four Batman films - which is pretty incredible!

As if the shop couldn't be any cooler (throngs of hipsters were sipping gin cocktails at the gin palace next door), the Rolling Scones Café (the. best. name. ever.) is tucked away in the back and in the outdoor courtyard, where I nearly ran into a woman carrying a tiered cake-stand filled with scones and jam. Probably the coolest place to have afternoon tea in London. Sign me up, please (pun intended)!


There's such a sense of happiness when you step into a neon wonderland like God's Own Junkyard, with the fluorescent signs hanging just above your head. We marvelled at all the choices, before John proposed picking one for our new home, as a "treat".

"Where would we put it?" I asked dubiously, while he started getting ahead of himself and talking about motion sensor switches (I mean, honestly ...).

Here was his pick:


A retro sign for the lido (a term I'd never heard of until I moved to the UK) that he fell in love with at first glance.

As for me?

Thrills. All the thrills.


If choosing neon signs is a reflection of your personality, well, then our choices had me and John down to a T. His was all about the calm, cool, and collected vibe and mine's all attention-seeking bright lights (literally), colorful bulbs, and ... thrills. How can you not love this flashy arrow?!

Have you been to God's Own Junkyard? Which sign would you choose?

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33 comments

  1. This has also been on my to-do list for so long, but now I know there's a tea shop at the back I have even more reason to visit!
    Cx
    charliedistracted.com 

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  2. Ooh, Day of the Dead skulls all the way! xx

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  3. This is amazing, just amazing!!!

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  4. This place looks amazing! Ive never even heard of it but it's now on my must see list!

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    1. You have to, Bridget! There's a brewery next door that does BBQs and a gin bar ... lots of fun.

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  5. But did you actually buy one??? I have to know! lol.

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    1. We haven't decided on which one yet! Mulling it over ...

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  6. I've never heard of God's Own Junkyard but this is amazing! And I'm with you - it's got to be the thrills sign!

    Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries

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    1. Love the thrills! Literally and figuratively ...

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  7. I've seen so many posts about God's Own Junkyard and it looks like such a fun/fabulous place to just walk around!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

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    1. It's definitely fun to explore and browse, Courtney! Just being in the presence of those lights made me smile ...

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  8. We visited once and saw Chris though he was busy chatting with a customer, did you also see the Wild Card micro brewery? We bought some of their beers for friends - the cafe wasn't there at the time, sounds brilliant

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

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    1. How cool, Suze! Yes, we dropped by the brewery to check it out but weren't in the mood for a drink just then ... will definitely go back.

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  9. I love the look of this place! I really want to visit....my sign would definitely say "princess' I wonder of they have one!
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

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    1. HAHA! I'm sure they could make you one, Angie ;) xx

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  10. I love the look of this place! I really want to visit....my sign would definitely say "princess' I wonder of they have one!
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

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  11. I love the lido one! I'd totally go for that!

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    1. It's growing on me, Hannah ;) I don't really mind it, but I was hoping for something a little more ... exciting! Maybe we could hang it at the entrance to one of the bathrooms ;)

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  12. What a crazy (in a good way) place!

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    1. Definitely crazy-in-a-good-way kind of place, Charlotte!

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  13. This place looks too good to be true! P.S. All over the flashing lights and thrills - no Lido for me, haha! I went to a 'junk yard' in Austin which was the coolest thing ever. It's amazing what you can do with such random things. Loved last night :) Have a good weekend! Lots of love, Andrea xxx

    Andrea's Passions

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    1. HAHA, glad you agree, Andrea! So fun hanging out with you - even if it was for a quick drink. Hope you're having an amazing time in Cornwall. xxx

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  14. This place looks incredible! I've seen it in magazines before, but I didn't realise it also had a gin bar next door and a cafe in the back - so many more cool points.

    Do you buy both signs? I think I'd have went with your choice, or the Waitress Service sign to create a retro, diner styled kitchen!

    x

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    1. Definitely worth a visit, Charlene! We haven't decided on which sign we want yet ... so hard to choose! xx

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  15. I've never heard of this place! I like the cloud in the background of the last picture under the swinging sign. I do quite like the giant martini in the second picture too though. I'd want them all! I'm not good at decisions haha.

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    1. I like that cloud too, Dannielle! I'm the worst at making these kinds of decisions ... we'll need to think about it for a bit!

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  16. O.O Have never heard of it but so going there next time in London!!

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    1. You should definitely drop by! Aside from having an awesome cafe, Wild Card Brewery next door is perfect for a drink and it's a steps away from the ultra-cool Orford Road.

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  17. That looks like a place I should live in. I'm all about bright colors. Can you actually purchase the signs???

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    1. Haha, I think it's a place we ALL want to live in. Yes! All the signs (I think) are available to purchase. They're not cheap, but worth the investment!

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