Polish your camera lens, stock up on snacks and hop in the car, we’ve got the perfect road trip for you Wes Anderson fans out there. I recently visited the Accidentally Wes Anderson exhibition in London and it sparked a sudden urge to see the many flawlessly symmetrical, curiously frozen-in-time and wonderfully whimsical places that can be found scattered around our isle. Wiggle your way from labyrinthine London up to the rugged wilds of Scotland with some unique stops along the way on this Accidentally Wes Anderson-inspired road trip. It’s quite an adventure, so you might want to buckle up.
London
1. Start your engines at the Accidentally Wes Anderson Exhibition
You’ve got to start somewhere and the Accidentally Wes Anderson exhibition in South Kensington feels like a fitting place to kick things off. Prepare for bouts of wanderlust, dashes of whimsy and a whole lot of Wes Anderson-esque aesthetics; the photography exhibition features over 200 places from all over Earth that look like they could have been plucked straight from the iconic director’s distinctive films. You’ll be more than ready for an adventure once you emerge.
📍85 Old Brompton Rd, South Kensington, London, SW7 3LD
2. Hurry over to Hampstead and explore Kenwood House
Your first foray into seeing Accidentally Wes Anderson spots in the striking – and often symmetrical – flesh is a corker. Once a stately home, Kenwood House is a neoclassical gem sitting on the northern boundary of Hampstead Heath. It dates back to the 17th century and was passed down through the Mansfield family before it opened its doors to the public in 1928. During your exploration, you can take in the baby blue and pink ceiling laced with ornamental designs, swirling filigree and Arcadian frescoes. Don’t miss the sprawling acres of garden either, there’s ancient woodland and a recently restored dairy to explore.
📍Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR
Cambridge
3. Take a peek at Parker Library
Next up, you can leave London behind to explore the studious streets of Cambridge. Practically drenched in history, the city is home to storied jewels such as the Parker Library. The centuries-old literary haven has both pleasingly symmetrical interiors and a whole load of vintage books – you can easily picture one of Wes Anderson’s characters sitting cross-legged on the floor with their nose stuck into the pages of a giant leather-bound novel. While you’re there, it only makes sense to swing by the regal Queens College Hall and the honey-dipped exteriors of Corpus Christi College.
📍Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RH
4. Awe at the treasures of Anglesey Abbey
This former-monastery-turned-Jacobean-style-house is on the list for its distinctly neat bookshelves and symmetrical old-world decor. It’d be the perfect spot for a Wes Anderson flick set in the 17th century. But it’s not just the film-worthy interiors that can be enjoyed here. The National Trust home is open to the public and boasts a ‘garden for every season’ and a centuries-old watermill packed with history.
📍Quy Rd, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ
Birmingham
5. Capture the cinematic exterior of the Cadbury Factory
An Accidentally Wes Anderson spot and a chocoholic’s dream rolled into one, the Cadbury Factory in Birmingham is sure to satisfy your cravings – whether it’s photography-related or more of the sweet treat variety. And no, it wasn’t chocolate-based bribery at play here. The uniform facade is what puts this one on the list. Not unlike one of their drool-inducing chocolate bars, the rows of square windows and old-school Cadbury lettering feel like the Insta-worthy wrapper on a delicious experience. Whatever your age, you will delight in channelling your inner Wonka on the tempting Cadbury World tour before stocking up on road trip treats in the shop.
📍69 Linden Rd, Birmingham B30 1JR
Manchester
6. Soak up the splendour of Victoria Baths
You’ve had a hefty dose of gilded history, now it’s time for something a tad more retro. Victoria Baths opened in 1906, described as a ‘water palace’ to make the people of Manchester proud. A combination of stained glass, colourful decor and mosaic floors added a big splash of character to the facilities, with forest green tiling and turquoise framework making it a big tick in the Wes Anderson aesthetic playbook.
The cubicles especially seem to capture its Edwardian heyday, with bold blues and candy reds conjuring up images of people wiggling into their striped bathing suits and floral swim caps. The pool may be empty now, but it’s still worth a visit to see the striking architecture; book a guided tour or keep an eye out for one of the concerts or shows that often occur throughout the year.
📍Hathersage Rd, Manchester M13 0FE
7. Wonder at the works of Whitworth Art Gallery
Get your culture fix at Whitworth Art Gallery in – crazily enough – Whitworth Park. The art starts before you even step foot through the doors of this bold redbrick and terracotta building, with ionic columns and a castle-reminiscent parapet that speaks of the long history behind the Grade II-listed gem. Inside, a collection of over 60,000 works of art, textiles and wallpapers await your perusal. You can expect everything from historic prints to textile garments worn in first-millennium Egypt.
📍Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Leeds
8. Hunker down in Huddersfield Tram Centre
Sometimes, the most quintessential AWA spots are nothing more than a small bus shelter resembling a Victorian bandstand. First built in 1896, the Huddersfield Tram Shelter underwent a restoration which involved giving the peeling walls a vibrant lick of paint and removing the graffiti. Now, it cuts a striking image with its vermillion and cream exterior, the perfect setting for a curious Wes Anderson character to sit and ponder while waiting for a bus (the tram service is now closed and replaced by buses).
📍Edgerton Road, Huddersfield
9. Look in the shop windows at Leeds Corn Exchange
No corn is required. At least not now anyway. The Leeds Corn Exchange started life as the principal corn market of Northern England. It served as a spot to trade corn kernels then later, after the decline of the farming industry, was reopened as a retail hub. Now, it is a creative hive with independent shops and events throughout the year. Its spectrum of colourful doors and elliptical structure is sure to have you digging your phones out for a photo. Fair warning – you’ll find it hard to leave without a bag of goodies from the array of unique stores.
📍Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BR
Harrogate
10. Relax in the ambient sanctum of Royal Turkish Baths
All that driving and exploration might be starting to take its toll. So, it’s only right that you park up, switch off and treat yourself to a day of doing nothing but relaxing. What better place to do just that – and cross another AWA spot off your list – than the Royal Turkish Baths? Even those of us who aren’t directors can appreciate the striking Moorish interiors – think Islamic arches, terrazzo floors and swirling arabesque painted ceilings – and will not be able to resist pulling out their phones for a photo (or three) while simultaneously enjoying the tranquil waters and treatments of the baths.
📍Parliament St, Harrogate HG1 2WH
Edinburgh
11. Sink into ruby red seats at The Scotsman Hotel
Now, you’re in nature-wrapped Edinburgh, home to The Scotsman Hotel. Cutting an imposing shape at the foot of the North Bridge, it isn’t the hotel’s Edwardian exterior that caught AWA’s eye but a ruby red gem in the inner sanctums. The Scotsman Picturehouse has brought to life a bygone era; channelling old-school Hollywood elegance with red velvet and studded leather chairs, wooden panelling and vaulted ceilings. In fact, it’s the perfect place to watch a Wes Anderson classic – there are new releases showing and frequent special events but you can also splash out on a private hire and watch exactly what you fancy with family and friends.
📍20 North Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1TR
12. Peruse an extensive collection of art at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Ever get the feeling you’re being watched? Well, it would be no surprise at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, with a collection of over 30,000 paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs – all portraits of Scots. That’s a lot of painted pupils gazing down at you from gilded frames. That, combined with symmetrical rows of Gothic arches and incredible, intricate decor and architecture, ticks the boxes for cinematic visuals and a dash of oddity that Wes Anderson captures in his films.
📍1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD
13. Enjoy a nightcap and nibbles at Nauticus Bar
If you like your city culture with a side of cocktails then you can wrap up your day with a visit to the Nauticus Bar. Complete with a vintage diving helmet, a bar bedecked in marble scales and model ships above the fireplace, it’s fair to say they’ve stuck to the nautical theme their name suggests. It’s a fitting theme after all, as it nods to the history of its home in Leith which involved the shipping trade and a key role in the whiskey boom. The old-worldly feel of the place makes it an irresistibly atmospheric spot to sit back and sip concoctions.
📍142 Duke St, Edinburgh EH6 8HR
Glasgow
14. Gaze at a spectrum of green in the Glasgow Botanical Gardens
Glasgow is home to many gems, but one particular emerald makes for a paradisiacal visit. Glasgow Botanical Gardens is a leafy haven in the city, its ornate Victorian conservatory a striking glass shell to an Eden of ferns, palm trees and succulents. You can easily while away the hours exploring the picturesque gardens, whether it’s soaking up precious dappled sunlight on the Tree Trail or taking in some vibrant flora sprouting from flower beds.
📍730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0UE
Scottish Highlands
15. Set your eyes on Castle Stalker
It’s time to leave the cities behind and adventure into the stunning Scottish wilds. First up, is a trip to the solitary Castle Stalker, built on a tidal islet in the early 1300s. The castle is less regal and more rural, but it makes for a fascinating image, sitting alone in the middle of rippling waters. The story behind it is enough to pique your interest – think drunken bets, family rivalries and even an appearance in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
📍Castle Stalker, Appin PA38 4BL
16. Defy gravity in the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola
It would be remiss of me if I wrote a list of Wes Anderson-reminiscent stops and didn’t include a cable car. The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola is quintessential AWA fodder with its angular-meets-bubble shape and primary red colouring, all backdropped by endless blue skies and rugged mountains – it looks almost as if it has been stamped on the skyline. It’s not just the fun visuals that warrant a visit, a 15-minute trip up the gondola offers panoramic views across the Scottish Highlands and, when you reach the top (of course), some brilliant walks.
📍Nevis Range Development Co P, Fort William PH33 6SY
17. Gape at the beauty of Glenfinnan Viaduct
Alas, all journeys must come to an end, but we’re ending on a spellbinding note. We might be straying into Harry Potter and Accidentally Wes Anderson crossover territory here but you can’t deny the magic of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It’s no surprise it appeared in four of the Harry Potter films, as the historic arched railway bridge cuts a storybook image – especially when you add The Jacobite train with its plumes of steam journeying through the rolling hills. Whether you fancy taking a walk to take in the enchanting views or hopping aboard a train for an insider’s look, this is a must-see!
📍Glenfinnan PH37 4LT