Categories > Guides and Tips
Shop Tudor-style with this guide to London Court in Perth!
- Things to Know
- How to Get to London Court
- What to Do and See in London Court
- Catch chiming of the mechanised clocks
- Join a guided walking tour
- Where to Eat and Drink in London Court
- Madlilys Cafe
- Mini Espresso
- Mica Creamery
- Where to Shop in London Court
- London Court Books
- Aboriginal Art
- Michael Smits Philatelist
- Julia’s Gifts & Souvenirs
- Antiques and Heirlooms
Amidst the many structures that define the Perth CBD, a few stand out as if they were plucked straight from the pages of history. One such example is London Court, a Tudor-inspired open shopping arcade built in 1937.
This iconic arcade, with its intricate details and bizarre charm, is a huge hit among the city’s history buffs and photography enthusiasts. And, of course, let’s not forget its shops where you can get some unique products!
To help first-time visitors make the most of their visit, I made this handy guide to navigating the iconic arcade. Happy shopping!
Things to Know
Website: https://londoncourt.com.au/
Address: 647 Hay St
Contact details: +61 8 6375 6000
Operating hours:
- 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (MON-FRI)
- 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SAT)
- 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SUN)
How to Get to London Court
By Bus: Several bus routes, including 111, 160, 179, 66, 72, 75, 910, and 960, pass near London Court. The nearest bus stops are St. Georges Terrace after Barrack St. Westbound and St. Georges Terrace after William Street.
By Train: If you’re using the Mandurah/Yanchep Line, the nearest train station from London Court is the Elizabeth Quay Station to the south. However, if you’re using the Armadale/Ellenbrook Line, the nearest station is Perth Station to the north.
By Taxi: To get here, simply ask the taxi driver to go to London Court in the Perth CBD. As of February 2025, the base fare for a taxi ride is $4.60, with an additional charge of $1.87 for every succeeding kilometre.
By Car: There are plenty of parking spots near London Court. The nearest one is Wilson Parking, which sits between this arcade and Elizabeth Quay. The train stations I mentioned earlier also have paid parking spaces available.
What to Do and See in London Court
Catch chiming of the mechanised clocks
One of the main attractions of London Court you shouldn’t miss is its fancy mechanical clocks. These charming clocks are located at both ends of the arcade, and they’re not your average timepieces; they’re storytellers!
At the Hay Street end, there’s a blue-faced clock that chimes every quarter hour. When it does, you’ll be treated to a miniature jousting match by four mechanised knights!
Meanwhile, at the St. Georges Terrace end, you’ll find another clock that features a miniature Saint George battling a fearsome dragon. As the clock chimes, Saint George and the dragon engage in an epic showdown that’s quite mesmerising.
Join a guided walking tour
Photo credit: ohheywa
If you’re a history buff, why not join a walking tour of the city that includes London Court? Tours like these provide fascinating insights and obscure information about the iconic structures of Perth.
In addition to London Court, these tours can also include the histories of Elizabeth Quay, Forrest Place, and the State Buildings.
When I joined one of these tours, I learned that London Court originally had residential spaces before becoming a full-fledged arcade. These spaces were also considered special back then, since they had their own air conditioning systems—swanky for that time!
Where to Eat and Drink in London Court
Madlilys Cafe
Photo credit: mad_lilys
Address: Shop/19, London St
Contact details: +61 433 409 199
Operating hours:
- 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM (MON-FRI)
- 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (SAT)
Before starting your walk around London Court, you might want to get yourself a cup of joe from Madlilys Cafe first. This cosy cafe offers a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for admiring the unique architectural details of the shopping arcade.
They also have a nice menu that’s suited for light eating. That includes some classic drinks like espresso, latte, flat white, and tea. As for meals, they serve sandwiches, wraps, cakes, and salads.
Personally, my go-to order here is a cup of cappuccino paired with a slice of their delicious carrot cake. I love how the creaminess of the cake perfectly balances the bitterness of the cappuccino’s espresso shot.
Mini Espresso
Photo credit: miniespressoperth
Address: Shop/50, London St
Contact details: +61 410 645 465
Operating hours: 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM (MON-FRI)
If you’re in need of a morning pick-me-up or a midday treat, Mini Espresso is a nice choice. Their cute little stall in the middle of London Court is one of the best spots to take a quick rest after doing a bit of walking around the shopping arcade.
They serve a good selection of caffeinated beverages, including brewed coffees and espressos. Of course, they also serve delicious pastries and dishes that you can pair with one of their drinks.
I highly recommend their Nonno’s Balls. Creamy and slightly earthy, these tasty treats are a nod to traditional Italian cuisine and are made from a mix of ingredients like ricotta, spinach, and herbs.
Mica Creamery
Photo credit: mica.creamery
Website: https://micacreamery.com/
Address: 647 Hay St
Contact details: +61 478 015 687
Operating hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Whenever I go shopping at London Court, I make sure to stop by Mica Creamery before heading home. Like Mini Espresso, they also have a cute stall where you can get their tasty treats promptly.
One of the reasons they’re a must-visit is their wide range of artisan handcrafted gelato. What’s interesting is that they don’t just stick to the usual flavours; they offer both classic and Asian fusion options.
Some interesting flavours you’ll find here include salted caramel miso, bubble tea, and black sesame. My personal favourite is the salted caramel miso because it blends both sweet and savoury flavours well without one overpowering the other.
Where to Shop in London Court
London Court Books
Photo credit: londoncourtbooks
Website: https://www.londoncourtbooks.com.au/
Address: 647 Hay St
Contact details: +61 432 401 522
Operating hours:
- 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (MON-SAT)
- 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (SUN)
A shopping trip to London Court wouldn’t be complete without stopping by London Court Books. It’s a bookstore that offers a mix of new, secondhand, and antiquarian books, making it a must-visit for anyone who loves to read.
Some rare books they have on sale are Bob Burla’s Crossed Boomerangs, which chronicles the long history of the Royal Queensland Regiment, and Tim Low’s Bush Medicine, a book that’s all about Australia’s natural remedies.
A sizable portion of my book collection came from this shop, and I still love dropping by to see what new books they have in stock. Plus, I often pick up greeting cards here for holidays and birthdays.
Aboriginal Art
Photo credit: londoncourtofficial
Address: Shop 20/21 London Court
Contact details: +61 411 557 265
Operating hours:
- 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (MON-FRI)
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SAT)
- 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (SUN)
For those who want to learn more about Australia’s rich pre-colonial history, come visit Aboriginal Art. This souvenir shop sells a diverse range of cultural artefacts, Aboriginal art pieces, and homewares.
I’m a frequent visitor because many of their products are very unique, making them excellent gifts. One of my favourite purchases here is their kangaroo plushies because they’re incredibly cute and fluffy.
They also sell keychains and refrigerator magnets for tourists who are looking to take home a memorable souvenir from their visit to Perth. And for those looking to add a unique touch to their fashion, they sell Aboriginal-inspired clothing and bags too.
Michael Smits Philatelist
Photo credit: sockrocking_post
Address: Suite 12A, Stairwell B, London Court Arcade, 647 Hay Street Mall
Contact details: +61 8 9325 3252
Operating hours:
- 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM (MON-FRI)
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (SAT)
Another unique store worth checking out in London Court is Michael Smits Philatelist. This long-established shop has been around since the early 1970s and is a place I can recommend to stamp and coin collectors.
Here, you can find an extensive collection of rare Australian stamps, coins, and banknotes. They also offer a variety of numismatic accessories like coin holders, magnifiers, and reference books.
During my last visit, I was fascinated by their collection of rare coins. They had these cool ones that were made before Australia shifted to decimal currency, as well as coins that came from various parts of the world.
Julia’s Gifts & Souvenirs
Photo credit: juliasgiftsandsouvenirs
Address: 647 Hay Street Shop 7, London Court
Contact details: +61 8 9325 2297
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SAT)
Whenever I’m in the mood to surprise a friend with a quirky knick-knack, I often make a quick stop at Julia’s Gifts & Souvenirs. Their selection of products is extremely random, so I almost always have something new and interesting to buy here.
They offer the classic souvenir fare such as keychains, snow globes, plushies, and pins. The themes of these products span a wide range—from bands to cartoon characters, animals, and beyond.
For those seeking something a bit more unique, Julia’s also stocks ornate clocks, die-cast toys, and whimsical animal-shaped planters. Be prepared to open your wallet because it’s incredibly hard to leave this shop without buying something!
Antiques and Heirlooms
Photo credit: michelle_le_e
Address: 50 St Georges Terrace
Contact details: +61 8 9325 4242
Operating hours:
- 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM (MON-FRI)
- 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM (SAT)
If you love collecting stuff from the past, Antiques and Heirlooms is a great place to visit. This antique shop offers a diverse selection of antique jewellery, rare collectibles, and heirlooms, each with its own unique history.
Among their extensive inventory, their vintage homewares stood out to me the most. The antique dinner plates, adorned with intricate artwork depicting scenes from Australia’s history, are particularly captivating.
While the rarity of these pieces means they often come with a hefty price tag, I still highly recommend visiting this shop to appreciate the amazing antique pieces on display.
