It’s that time of year again and one of our favourite activities here at the Observer….sticking our noses where they don’t belong! From 13 September to 21 September ii’s the Open House London Festival, celebrating London’s housing, architecture and neighbourhoods by flinging open doors and streets not usually open to the public. We have a few suggestion for you and they are all FREE, and we love free. Well, the last two aren’t free.
Most Open House venues have friendly staff on hand to tell you more about what you’re seeing and there are often things to read. If you look on the website you’ll see some local bookable things, but we’re afraid you’ve mostly missed the boat on those babies. The localish venues listed below are open to the public on specific dates, so look at opening times. However, if you possess the audacious gaul to travel out of Greater Kennington you might find there are hundreds more free things to stick your head into around the capital. But we couldn’t possibly encourage that kind of behaviour.
London Fire Brigade Memorial Hall (perhaps your last chance to see it before it is turned into, you guessed it, flats and a luxury hotel).
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/11781
International Maritime Organisation (that bizarre looking building on Albert Embankment. pictured below)
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/7730
Anderson WW2 Bomb Shelter (for the fetishists among you).
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/10010
St. Paul’s Newington (Been and recommend. 1950’s beaut)
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/2556
Walworth Garden (been and recommend, even if it is like a stroll through a garden centre)
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/10950
Soane Re-imagined – St. Peter’s Church
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/13342
Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library (been and recommend. Yes, it’s a trip to the library but with a museum stuck in it)
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/9722
Van Gogh House London (Been and recommend. Its more about restoration than the great man so don’t expect any paintings or a severed ear).
https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/8317
Lots of other interesting things that are less than free such as an Elephant and Castle Walking Tour
https://open-city.org.uk/events/elephant-48
And Nine Elms Walking Tour (fun but also not free)
https://open-city.org.uk/events/elms-29
