During a weekend in September, around 750 buildings, new and old, open their doors to visitors. Many are usually closed to the public. And you know what the best part is? Everything is free. Yes, all buildings, generally including the London Eye (at select times), are free for us to enjoy.
The aim of Open House London is to encourage all of us to recognize good architectural design and explore buildings and appreciate what good design means.
(Note: ‘Open House’ now calls itself ‘Open City’ but it is the same event).
Open House London Building Guide
Open House London Weekend. Not only does it have building addresses and information about each site, but the Guide also includes such important information as the closest metro stations, opening hours, disabled access, and even which buildings are likely to have long lines. You can buy the Guide online from the beginning of August.
What they don’t tell you is that you can pick up a copy of the Guide for free from all public libraries in London. The Guide is available to purchase / download / collect from mid-August as Open House London is always on the third weekend in September and many buildings have tours that you need to book in advance.
Planning for Open House London
Check out this year’s dates and the Open House London Basics.
It’s important to get a copy of the Open House London Building Guide early (from mid-August) so you can pre-book the tours that really interest you as they have very limited spots. Not all places need to be reserved, so it is best to go through the Guide by marking your favorites and then try to make as many reservations as possible. Once you have some reservations, you can plan your days with the other buildings you want to see open all day.
Please visit the Open House website a few days before the event, as the retreats from participating buildings will be listed, so you don’t have a missed trip.
Essential equipment
Just like you would for a London walking tour, wear comfortable shoes and don’t carry a huge bag as you will carry it all day. Along with your copy of The Open House London Guide, you will need an AZ, a Travelcard to get on and off the tubes and buses, and a bottle of water.
Some favorites
Open House London includes buildings as diverse as offices, residences, sports clubs and government buildings.
- Canada House (occupies the west side of Trafalgar Square)
- Hall of Freemasonry
- Sir John Soane Museum (although it is open all year)
- Bank of england
This one has a fantastic tour and the queues move quickly so don’t be put off. - Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (home of a 1740 Huguenot silk merchant)
- Government Art Collection
An opportunity to see government-owned artwork that is not displayed in government buildings. - Brixton Windmill
Who would have thought you would find an 1816 windmill in Brixton?
- Wimbledon Windmill
I think I love the idea of windmills in London! - 15 1/2 Consort Road
An amazing house with an opening roof and a sliding bathroom. - Jewel Tower,
built in 1365 and part of the Palace of Westminster, used as a ticket office for the Houses of Parliament Tour - Mansion House
Residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. - St. Martin-in-the-Fields
One of the best churches in Britain in Trafalgar Square. - Tower of Santa Ana.
An interesting tower in the heart of Soho. - William Morris Society – Kelmscott House
Again this is open outside of Open House London.
- St. Botolph’s Aldgate
They took me to the bell tower and I saw English bell ringers. - Guildhall and Guildhall Art Gallery and the Roman Amphitheater in London
- The Willis Building
Distinctive stepped formed glass structure. Exceeds legal carbon reduction targets by more than 20 percent. - The Gherkin
One of the last London landmarks to grace the skyline. - Central point
More than 30 floors in the center of the West End, overlooking Oxford Street. - 2 Willow Road
Unique and influential modernist house since 1939.
