The biggest architectural celebration of its kind in the world, London’s Open House Festival gives the capital’s keenest — and nosiest — design fans a chance to snoop around famous landmarks and the city’s most spectacular private homes.
Last year’s edition welcomed 375,000 visitors to 830 open days and events across all 33 London boroughs. This year’s event, which runs from September 12 to 20, is shaping up to be even bigger and better.
Think of the programme as split into three types of visit: balloted entry, bookable slots and drop-in visits. All are free, but you’ll need to be quick if you’re going to bag a ticket to some of the headline events. Last year most slots were snapped up in 20 minutes, according to festival organisers.
Bookings open at 12pm on August 19 this year, so be sure to set your reminders now. Here’s what you need to know.
The ballot (open now)
The only building in the ballot this year is 10 Downing Street.
Create an Open House visitor account online now to enter the ballot for a guided tour from 11.30am to 1pm on September 13. Winners will be contacted shortly after the draw at midday on August 17.
The best of the bookable
While the majority of events are open to drop-in visitors, some of the landmark open days or tours are ticketed because they have a maximum capacity. So it’s first come, first served on Wednesday, August 19 when bookings open.
The iconic Lloyd’s of London building in Lime Street in the City is taking part in this year’s Open House Festival as part of its own 40th anniversary celebrations. Designed by British architect Lord Rogers and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, the specialist insurance and reinsurance marketplace was awarded a Grade I listing in 2011.
It’s known as the “inside-out” building, because Lord Rogers’ design placed the staircases, loos, glass lifts and pipes on the outside, leaving space for a spectacular central atrium that rises 60 metres to a steel and glass barrel-vaulted roof. Tours are taking place at various times on September 19.
A tour of Leadenhall Market may not sound the most impressive booking, until you discover that guided walks on September 19 and 20 include an exclusive visit to the Roman ruins beneath. Situated in Gracechurch Street, in the heart of the Square Mile and the centre of what was Roman London, it was originally a market for meat, poultry and game. Underneath lie the remains of a forum (market) and basilica (courts), which aren’t usually open to the public.
In previous years, entry to the BT Tower in Fitzrovia and BBC Broadcasting House in Marylebone was by ballot only, whereas this year the landmarks are available to book. Take a trip to the BT Tower’s famous revolving floor (158m high) at various times on September 19 and 20, or have a guided walking tour of the BBC’s Art Deco-fronted headquarters on September 19.
In another rare chance to see inside a London landmark, the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station is open for tours on September 19 and 20. Built in 1890, it was the last hydraulic power station in London to be decommissioned, in 1977, and has been closed for the past decade. An ambitious restoration plan is set to get under way which will see it transformed into a centre for experimental arts.
An early look at the drop-ins…
At busy times there are likely to be queues to some of the best-known sites, so wear comfortable shoes and pack your sense of humour. Or head to some of London’s most spectacular private homes opening their doors to visitors this year.
Home to English National Ballet, the Mulryan Centre is a 93,000 sq ft state-of-the-art space on London City Island. Opening this year, the centre is offering the public a chance to go behind the scenes, watch professional dance rehearsals and even enjoy family dance (for children aged three to seven), adult or Bhangra Ceilidh workshops accompanied by live music. The drop-in sessions, workshops and guided tours are taking place on September 19.
In Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is opening up spaces usually off-limits to the public. Head to the Open House table in Lower Grand Square (the open-air courtyard between College Way and the Thames) to book in person, on the day. Highlights will include entry to Admiral’s House, from 11am to 5pm on September 13, where the Morning Room displays a collection of items relating to Lord Nelson. Walking tours of the Jacobean Undercroft, on September 12 and 13, will offer a rare chance to see inside the undercroft of the Queen Anne building which is the only remaining intact room from Greenwich Palace — the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I.
An early Victorian home in the Barnsbury conservation area, the Barnsbury Flat is a masterclass in compact city living. Having been reconfigured for a young family by Fynn Architects, the flat is packed with cabinetry ideas — the kitchen has been designed as a piece of furniture rather than a separate room — and storage solutions. Drop in on September 12 between 10am and 4.30pm for a tour and talk with the architect and interior designer.
For another lesson in small-space city living, head to Rufford Mews Apartment near King’s Cross to tour the home of RHS Chelsea gold medallists Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews. The tour will showcase creative design and furniture crafted by Mike McMahon Studio, plus an inspiring look at what’s possible in tiny green spaces and on city “junglette” balconies.
For clever eco ideas, head to Green Lodge — a low-energy subterranean home on the edge of Putney Heath — on September 12 and 13 and 18, 19 and 20. The family home has been transformed by Stylus Architects, who will be on hand for a chat on open days. Slotted into an awkward site, much of the house is below ground but a series of clever lightwells and rooflights means every room benefits from natural light.
