I have been interested in visiting this space since I saw the neon junkyard featured in an episode of Luther on BBC1. As the weather has been very cold and gloomy lately I needed something to brighten my mood and what a great way to do this but look at this vast neon collection at God’s Own Junkyard.
God’s Own Junkyard was founded by the late artist Chris Bracey. Bracey’s work can be spotted all over London’s Soho district with colourful neon signs illuminating a variety of businesses. Other works of Bracey’s neon art can be spotted in a vast array of movies / TV shows such as Luther, Batman and Bladerunner.
I could have easily spent a few more hours here studying the huge collection of neon lights and movie memorabilia. The space has its own coffee shop ‘The Rolling Stones Cafe’ with a variety of cakes and pastries to choose from. I selected a slice of coffee cake and peppermint tea which was served on a vintage side plate, cup and saucer. The venue (along with Wild Card Brewery, Mother’s Ruin and Pillars Brewery), put on a mini-festival of music and more in conjunction with Byrd Out to raise money for Eat or Heat. Eat Or Heat is a food bank in East London. It works with people in need to ensure they can both Eat And Heat. It’s a relatively small London based charity, so the money raised made a huge difference in supporting its operations. Whilst enjoying my tea and looking at the many pieces of neon artwork I enjoyed listening to the tunes of a local DJ playing for the Eat or Heat fundraiser.
God’s Own Junkyard is open Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm and Sunday 11am-6pm, it’s free entry and the cafe is open all weekend.
For more information visit www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk.
Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, E17 9HQ. If you’re walking from Walthamstow Central Tube, approach down Orford Rd, then Summit Rd.
