god's own junkyard

Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, Walthamstow, London

God’s Own Junkyard Opening Times: Friday and Saturday 11 am-9 pm, and Sunday 11 am-6 pm 

Hidden amongst a gaggle of warehouses, building yards, and industrial estates, in the backstreets of Walthamstow Village, is a brightly-lit neon vision. It’s a remarkable maze of handmade, brightly-lit glowing signs, and the closest thing London has to the bright lights of Vegas.

God’s Own Junkyard is a beautiful concept. The oldest sign makers in London, they have sold and rented neon signs for businesses and as props for film and TV for many years. Now, it has evolved into a genuine tourist attraction, a remarkable art gallery/concept, and a paradise for the Instagram generation. Visitors wander around the warren of glowing, flashing lights, as neon-rimmed religious symbols rub shoulders with signs from the insalubrious dens of the vice of 60s Soho, and Americana-themed bar signs. At God’s Own Junkyard, prices vary but the quality is assured.

Taking in the whole space is a sensory overload, and you can spend a significant amount of time finding the most bizarre and lurid examples in the packed space. Around the back there’s more to find--the charming little God’s Own Junkyard cafe menu is delicious, and the industrial estate outside also plays host to a gin distillery, an artisanal pizza truck, and three craft breweries. The whole site is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon in one of London’s most underrated neighborhoods.