If you’ve ever wanted to look behind the scenes at some of London’s most iconic buildings, parks and gardens – then the annual Open House London programme has the keys to more than 700 places – and it’s all free.
Along with guided tours there will be talks, walks and cycle rides to help you discover more about the capital and the people who live here.
But with so many residences, projects and civil buildings to choose from, we’ve put together a guide to help you make the most out of the Open House London weekend.
1. Open House London only started in 1992
Beginning life as a small, not-for-profit organisation, the aim of Open House has been to promote the capital’s building design and architecture through public awareness and appreciation of the community.
Now the concept has spread to more than 20 cities around the globe, including Barcelona, New York and Athens.
“Open House is a unique and vibrant annual event, offering people across London the chance to explore and learn about the capital’s architecture.” – Victoria Thornton, Founding Director of Open-City
30 St Mary Axe
2. There’s a ballot
If you want the chance to walk through the corridors of power at 10 Downing Street, and follow in the footsteps of scores of prime ministers, you need to enter the online ballot by September 5.
By entering you could also be in with a chance of seeing London from the skies, from The BT Tower or The Coca-Cola London Eye.
3. Get planning
While some of the experiences need booking in advance, some are available on a turn up and see basis, so check the programme for details on the venues before you head out.
Also be aware that thousands of people will be visiting and some of the most popular buildings may have long queues.
4. Eyes to the skies
CityPoint (c) Peter Cohen
One of the highlights of the 2015 programme will be a look at some of the iconic buildings on the London skyline.
Featured buildings include relatively new additions such as 30 St Mary Axe (better known as the Gherkin), as well as older landmarks, including The BT Tower.
DID YOU KNOW? The first building erected in the City of London that was taller than St Paul’s was CityPoint, which was completed in 1967. Following a refurbishment in 2000 it now stands even higher at 127m Pre-book your tour.
5. Or go underground
Winston Churchill and the Cabinet used a 1940’s bomb-proof bunker at Neasden during WWII, and now you can go and look at the cabinet room and map room, protected by thick concrete of course (Must pre-book).
On Saturdays, The British Museum is also giving you the opportunity to poke about in their basement and find our more about how the museum works (pre-book only).
Recently refurbished, the Manor House Gardens Ice House (built 1773) is worth a look as the Grade II listed underground chambers in Hither Green opens its Georgian doors.
6. Let’s go outside
Leicester Square
London’s public spaces and parks are also under the spotlight in 2015 with projects including the King’s Cross Public Realm, the works undertaken to revitalise the area behind the station.
There are also almost 50 different landscapes to look round, from an architect-led tour of Leicester Square to a walk through the gothic, Nunhead Cemetery, which is one of the city’s wildest Victorian burial spaces.
7. Find out how abandoned land has been transformed
The Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
The Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is just one example of parts of the city that have been regenerated to create new spaces and gardens for residents to enjoy.
This used to be abandoned railway land, but now it is a community garden with a pavilion for events – and they are holding tours across the weekend.
8. Get interior inspiration from the present
Mint Street (c) Nedko Dimitrov
See some of the latest designs for contemporary living, in housing projects from across the city, including this development for Peabody in Bethnal Green (see above).
9. And also from the past
Many small homes that have architectural and design significance are opening their doors to show how design has evolved.
For instance 4 Bayer House in the Barbican is one of the first public housing buildings to be listed, and it has many original 1950’s details and finishes.
The Priory Green estate (see below) has now received Conservation Area status as an example of a concrete, modern movement estate, having first been built for social housing in 1957.
Priory Green
10. Have a peak in some palaces
Take a guided tour around the outside of Kensington Palace, which is an original Jacobean house, or the relatively new Alexandra Palace, which is showing people round its old Victorian theatre and former BBC studios.
While not quite a palace, Mansion House, the City of London’s Lord Mayor’s home, is an 18th Century wonder but you have to write to them to book a tour (by September 4)
11. Why not see the city on a walk
There are scores of walking tours taking place across the Open House London weekend, with buildings, spaces and areas covered by expert guides.
A City of London tour guide will take you on a riverside walk from the Guildhall Art Gallery along to the Tower of London.
Or if you didn’t know that Hackney had three of the most significant timber buildings in the world, then join a walking tour of the area on Saturday (tour starts at 10.30am) to find out more.
12. You could cycle
Head to Brentford and take an architectural bike tour in Hounslow.
13. Or just find out more about London transport in general
The Art Deco splendour of 55 Broadway, headquarters of London Underground, has many ornate features, with the original train frequency indicators and Tube diagram cases in its reception.
Alternatively you can learn more about the stations on the Bakerloo line, including Kilburn Park, Maida Vale, Warwick Avenue and Paddington stations. These Sunday tours (pre-book) will not only show you the features of the stations, but explain how they work now to transport passengers across the network.
Famously the Village Underground in Shoreditch has recycled tube carriages which have been turned into artists studios for you to have a look around.
14. Engineer a visit
Lee Tunnel & Beckton Sludge
This year Open House has teamed up with The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to showcase some of the biggest infrastructure projects that are vital for the capital to function efficiently.
They have laid on some special events, including a cycle tour of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and a boat tour looking at flood management on the Thames.
15. See what Crossrail is all about
Farringdon Station – July 2015 © Crossrail Ltd
The biggest construction project in Europe and one of the most talked about infrastructure undertakings in London – this is a chance to head inside some of the key stations and get a glimpse behind the scenes.
DID YOU KNOW? The Crossrail project has so far uncovered two burial sites which give insights into the lives (and deaths) of thousands of Londoners. In 2015, 3,000 skeletons were excavated from Bedlam burial ground near Liverpool Street (c.1569 to 1738) and 23 skeletons, believed to be more than 600 years old were discovered in 2013 buried in Charterhouse Street close to Farringdon station.
Engineers will be available for a chat and a tour at the following stations Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Mile End, Pudding Mill Lane and Tottenham Court Road
Must Pre-book: Crossrail website
Suspected 1665 Great Plague pit unearthed at Crossrail Liverpool Street site © Crossrail Ltd
16. Go inside one of London’s oldest buildings
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s London home, Lambeth Palace, is a chance to look behind the scenes of one of the capital’s ancient homes, dating back to the 13th Century (pre-book a tour).
The oldest part of the building, the crypt, is open for you to explore, along with the Great Hall and chapel.
17. Visit one of London’s newest buildings
240 Blackfriars (c) Rob Parrish
240 Blackfriars was only completed in 2014 by award-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) and is a fine example of a sustainable place to live, shop and work.
The 19 storey building is one of the latest London landmarks to spring up and has amazing views over the city landscape.
Pre-book: Architect talks on Saturday, September 18
18. You can help raise money for charity
Maggie’s Cultural Crawl is a 15-mile night walk which means you can find out more about London while fundraising to fight cancer.
Starting at St Paul’s Cathedral and finishing up at Covent Garden, this stroll round central London, curated by former Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne, will also give you exclusive access to some of London’s finest buildings.
When: Friday, September 15
Cost: £40 fee and £200 fundraising pledge
Discover more: Register at Maggie’s Website
Essential information on Open House London
When: Saturday, September 19 to Sunday, September 20
Price: Free
Staying here
Park Plaza Riverbank London river view
If the Open House London programme has excited you – you might want to spend more than a day looking round all these outstanding properties. The good news is we have plenty of places to stay.
Looking for even more inspiration, then check out our things to do in London page – which features everything from rooftop bars to the best museums and markets in the capital.
And for the latest weekend events going on in the capital – then our “what’s on in London” guide should help you discover more about our wonderful city.
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