There is a large ornate clock attached to the building above street level on the third floor. The clock faces are decorated with classic art deco motifs such as chevrons, diamonds and sunburst patterns. The design of the building is heavily influenced by art deco and is adorned with Egyptian style decoration to give it both a classical feel along with the obvious modern design elements.
DIRECTORY
Daily Telegraph Building
Situated in London's famous Fleet Street, the Grade II listed Daily Telegraph building is a must-see for any art deco fan. It was designed in 1928 and along with the nearby Daily Express building showcases art deco architecture at its best. Originally the headquarters to the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, until recently the building was occupied by Goldman Sachs bank after the Telegraph relocated in the 1980s. The building is also known as Peterborough Court after the Bishop of Peterborough, who used to have a property on Fleet Street. Peterborough Court is reportedly now owned by the Qatari royal family.
The building was designed by the Belfast-born architect Charles Ernest Elcock, after consulting with Scottish modernist architect Thomas S. Tait and engineer Sir Owen Williams (head engineer for the original Wembley Stadium). The building is seven windows wide and eight storeys tall and constructed from Portland stone.
Above the metalwork door is an art deco fresco depicting two Mercury styled figures created by sculptor Alfred James Oakley. Mercury is the Roman god of eloquence, messages and communication so there is an obvious connection with the newspaper within the theme. It is also thought Oakley carved the swallow motifs which appear on the building too. Shortly after the Daily Telegragh commission Oakley became a monk and thereafter concentrated exclusively on religeous decoration.
‘The Past’ and ‘The Future’ are represented by top floor sculptures in the form of winged masks, carved in situ by the English artist Samuel Rabin. London Underground (champions of art deco design at the time) also commissioned Rabin for station building projects. On completion of the building it gained mixed reviews by critics but on the whole was deemed a triumph of monumental modern design.
Address and Contact Details
Address: Daily Telegragh Building, 135-141 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BP
General Enquiries: The Daily Telegraph Building is now primarily commercial office space and not open to the public as a general attraction. For enquiries related to the businesses housed within, contact them directly. The Daily Telegraph newspaper's editorial offices are no longer located here.
Website: There isn't a dedicated public website for the building itself. For The Telegraph newspaper, see Daily Telegragh (opens in new window).
Travel Connections
The former Daily Telegraph Building is located on Fleet Street, historically known as the home of British journalism, in the City of London.
Underground (Tube)
- Blackfriars Station (District and Circle lines): Approximately a 3-5 minute walk. This station also has National Rail services.
- Chancery Lane Station (Central line): Approximately an 8-10 minute walk.
- Temple Station (District and Circle lines): Approximately an 8-10 minute walk.
- St. Paul's Station (Central line): Approximately a 10-12 minute walk.
- City Thameslink Station (National Rail): Approximately a 5-7 minute walk.
Train
- Blackfriars Station: Approximately a 3-5 minute walk. Offers Thameslink services.
- City Thameslink Station: Approximately a 5-7 minute walk. Offers Thameslink services.
- Cannon Street Station: Approximately a 10-12 minute walk.
Bus
Numerous bus routes serve Fleet Street and the surrounding area. Key bus stops include:
- Fleet Street / City Thameslink (Stop L/M): Buses 15, 26, 76, N15, N21, N26, N76, N89, N551.
- Ludgate Circus / Old Bailey (Stop E/K): Buses 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, 172, N11, N15, N21, N26, N44, N76, N89, N155, N343, N551.
- New Bridge Street (Stop P): Buses 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, N11, N15, N21, N26, N44, N76, N89, N155, N343, N551.
River Boat
- Blackfriars Pier: Approximately a 5-7 minute walk. Services run by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Car
- The Daily Telegraph Building is in the City of London, an area with strict driving and parking restrictions. There are no public car parking facilities directly at the building.
- Visitors are strongly advised to use public transport. The building is within the Congestion Charge zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Cycling
- Santander Cycles docking stations are available nearby on Ludgate Circus and Bouverie Street.
- Cycle racks may be available in the vicinity.
Facilities
- As a private office building, there are no public facilities such as cafes, shops, or toilets for visitors, unless you have business with one of the companies located within.
- The building is primarily commercial office space.
Access
- The building is a private office space, and public access is generally limited to the exterior view of its historic Art Deco facade.
- Access for those with mobility issues would depend on the specific requirements for entry to any internal business.
- The external pavements and pedestrian areas around the building are publicly accessible.
Entry Fees
There are no entry fees to view the exterior of the Daily Telegraph Building. As it is not a public attraction, there are no tickets for internal access.
Opening Times
As a commercial office building, there are no public opening times. The exterior of the building can be viewed at any time.
Articles
Art Deco London: An exploration of the major Art Deco styled buildings in the capital.
Other Places of Interest Within 15 Minute's Walk
St Bride's Church (1 minute): Known as the "Journalists' Church" due to its historical connections with Fleet Street's press, this Wren church has a beautiful tiered spire said to be the inspiration for wedding cakes.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (1 minute) Historic pub rebuilt shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Dr. Johnson's House (3-4 minutes): The former home of Samuel Johnson, the creator of the first English dictionary, now a charming museum offering a glimpse into 18th-century London life.
Temple Church (5-7 minutes): A historic and distinctive circular church dating back to the 12th century, built by the Knights Templar and known for its effigies of medieval knights.
The Old Bailey (6-8 minutes): The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, a grand and historic courthouse. While public access to trials is possible, queues can be long.
St. Paul's Cathedral (10-12 minutes): A magnificent Anglican cathedral, a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture by Sir Christopher Wren, featuring a stunning dome with panoramic views of London.
Museum of London (10-12 minutes): Explores the history of London from prehistoric times to the present day through fascinating exhibits and artefacts.
Millennium Bridge (10-12 minutes): A pedestrian suspension bridge crossing the River Thames, offering spectacular views of St. Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern.
Tate Modern (14-15 minutes): A world-renowned modern and contemporary art gallery housed in a former power station, featuring a vast collection of international art.
Shakespeare's Globe (14-15 minutes): A faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare's open-air playhouse, offering tours and performances as they might have been experienced in Elizabethan times.
