From Sep 14 to Sep 22, it’s time for the London Open House festival, for lovers of London architecture, London history, and well…basically London is general. So many buildings, so little time…
I’ve compiled a (very subjective) list of some of the most noteworthy buildings in case you’re stuck for inspiration, but by all mean head to the Open House site and explore to your heart content!
You might be interested to see my photo diary of last year’s Open House, too, even if not all buildings I took pictures of are available this year.
At a glance...
- 1 13 Princelet Street
- 2 55 Broadway (Former TfL Headquarters)
- 3 Bakers’ Hall
- 4 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- 5 Chabad-Lubavitch of Islington
- 6 City of Westminster Archives Centre
- 7 Fitzrovia Chapel
- 8 Leighton House Museum
- 9 National Audit Office
- 10 Old Royal Naval College
- 11 Royal Courts of Justice
- 12 Senate House
- 13 Sir John Soane’s Museum
- 14 St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street
- 15 The Brunel Museum
13 Princelet Street
Description: This 18th-century house, with its original period features, showcases Spitalfields’ history and a connection to the weavers and merchants of the time. An interesting contract to number 4.
Address: 13 PRINCELET STREET, E1 6QH
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/51.51986/-0.07275
How to get there: Tube: Liverpool Street | Train: Liverpool Street
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/12560
55 Broadway (Former TfL Headquarters)
Description: London’s first skyscraper, noted for its bold Art Deco design and controversial Jacob Epstein sculptures. See it before it’s converted into a luxury hotel…
Address: 55 BROADWAY, SW1H 0BD
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.4994181%2C-0.1342755
How to get there: Tube: St. James’s Park, Victoria, Westminster | Train: Victoria | Bus: 11, 24, 148, 26 | Accessibility notes: The exhibition display is located in the ground floor reception space.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/963
Bakers’ Hall
Description: A unique Modernist Livery Hall from 1964, combining historic silver and stained glass with modern architecture.
Address: BAKERS HALL, 7 HARP LANE, EC3R 6DP
Map: https://www.openstreetMap.org/#Map=18/51.50933/-0.08145
How to get there: Tube: Monument, Tower Hill | Train: Cannon Street, Fenchurch Street, London Bridge | Bus: 15 | Accessibility notes: Disabled lift at entrance. Stair lift to all floors. | Seating is available at most points of the tour.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/12656
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Description: The first traditional Hindu stone temple in Europe, hand-carved in India, offering intricate craftsmanship and spiritual experiences.
Address: 1 PRAMUKH SWAMI ROAD, NEASDEN, NW10 8HW
Map: https://www.openstreetMap.org/#Map=18/51.54815/-0.26073
How to get there: Tube: Harlesden, Wembley Park, Stonebridge Park | Bus: 224, 206
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1645
Chabad-Lubavitch of Islington
Description: The only synagogue in Islington, featuring the Ein Sof Gallery and Jewish Heritage Trail, offering insight into Jewish culture.
Address: 1-3 ELLIOTT’S PLACE, N1 8HX
Map: https://www.openstreetMap.org/#Map=18/51.53676/-0.10063
How to get there: Tube: Angel, Highbury & Islington | Train: Essex Road, Highbury & Islington, Canonbury | Bus: 341, 38, 476, 73, 19, 43 | Accessibility notes: There is a step up from the pavement to the entrance, which itself is quite narrow, and not wheelchair accessible
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/12383
City of Westminster Archives Centre
Description: A purpose-built archive with treasures dating back to the 13th century, featuring conservation studios and historic documents.
Address: 10 ST ANN’S STREET, SW1P 2DE
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.4974785%2C-0.1306893
How to get there: Tube: Westminster, Victoria | Train: Victoria | Bus: 11, 24, 88, 148 | Accessibility notes: Lift access is available.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/2336
Fitzrovia Chapel
Description: A Gothic Revival gem with a breathtaking interior of mosaics, marble, and stained glass, originally built for Middlesex Hospital. I visited last year and loved it.
Address: 2 PEARSON SQUARE, FITZROY PLACE, W1T 3BF
Map: https://www.openstreetMap.org/#Map=18/51.51895/-0.13826
How to get there: Tube: Oxford Circus, Goodge Street, Warren Street, Tottenham Court Road | Train: Euston | Accessibility notes: We have a wheelchair lift outside the chapel.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/6534
Leighton House Museum
Description: The remarkable home of artist Frederic Leighton, featuring the Arab Hall and rich Victorian interiors that fuse art and architecture.
Address: 12 HOLLAND PARK ROAD, W14 8LZ
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.4985714%2C-0.2035702
How to get there: Tube: High Street Kensington, Earl’s Court | Train: Kensington Olympia | Bus: 9, 27, 28, 49, C1, 23 | Accessibility notes: There is a lift to all floors open to the public and a cafe on the ground floor
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/901
National Audit Office
Description: An Edwardian Baroque-style building, the NAO plays a crucial role in public accountability and governance.
Address: 157-197 BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD, SW1W 9SP
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.4917984%2C-0.1480592
How to get there: Tube: Victoria | Train: Victoria | Bus: 11, 44, 170, C1, C10 | Accessibility notes: Limited spaces are available for an accessible tour if you cannot use lifts or stairs. Essential to book in advance, see the Open House listing for details
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/119
Description: A World Heritage Site, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, with stunning Baroque architecture, including the ‘Painted Hall’.
Address: OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, SE10 9NN
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.4832059%2C-0.005915399999999999
How to get there: Tube: Cutty Sark | Train: Greenwich, Maze Hill | Bus: 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386, 129 | Additional travel info: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service to Greenwich | Accessibility notes: See: https://ornc.org/plan-a-visit/accessibility/ and https://ornc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/200120-ORNC-Accessibility-Map.pdf | Step-free access is available to Admiral’s House (ground floor only ) and to the Grand Square
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1310
Royal Courts of Justice
Description: A Victorian Gothic masterpiece housing the High Court and Court of Appeal
Address: STRAND, WC2A 2LL
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.513803%2C-0.1135807
How to get there: Tube: Temple, Holborn, Chancery Lane, Blackfriars, Embankment | Train: Waterloo, Charing Cross, Blackfriars | Bus: 11, 15, 26, 76, 341 | Accessibility notes: Accessible Lift Access to first floor courtrooms. Accessible Lifts are available for visitors to use.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1531
Senate House
Description: An Art Deco skyscraper built in 1936, formerly the Ministry of Information during WWII and an inspiration for Orwell’s 1984.
Address: UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, MALET STREET, WC1E 7HU
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.5229378%2C-0.1308206
How to get there: Tube: Russell Square, Goodge Street, Euston Square, Tottenham Court Road | Train: Euston | Bus: 7, 10, 24, 29, 68, 73, 134, 188
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1617
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Description: The neoclassical home of architect John Soane, filled with his eclectic collections and inventive design features.
Address: 13 LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS, WC2A 3BP
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.5170476%2C-0.1173967
How to get there: Tube: Holborn, Chancery Lane, Temple | Train: Charing Cross, Farringdon, Blackfriars | Bus: 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 188, 243, 8 | Additional travel info: Cycle parks are located in Lincolns Inn Fields. | Accessibility notes: Please note that there is no life available in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, with stairs to each floor.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/1660
St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street
Description: Known as ‘The Journalists’ Church’, it features a tiered spire said to inspire wedding cakes, with a crypt housing Roman remains.
Address: ST BRIDE’S CHURCH, ST BRIDE’S AVENUE, EC4Y 8AU
Map: https://www.openstreetMap.org/#Map=18/51.5137695/-0.105544
How to get there: Tube: Blackfriars, St. Paul’s | Train: City Thameslink, Blackfriars | Bus: 11, 15, 26, 76, 341 | Accessibility notes: There is level access to the church from the North entrance doors. Access to the crypt area is down a flight of stairs.
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/10035
The Brunel Museum
Description: Celebrates the world’s first underwater tunnel, constructed by Marc and Isambard Brunel, featuring events in the historic Tunnel Shaft.
Address: RAILWAY AVENUE, ROTHERHITHE, SE16 4LF
Map: https://www.google.co.uk/Maps/search/?api=1&query=51.5012103%2C-0.0521239
How to get there: Tube: Canada Water, Rotherhithe | Train: Rotherhithe, London Bridge | Bus: 1, 188, 381, C10, 47 | Accessibility notes: For details, see https://thebrunelmuseum.com/visiting-us/accessibility/
Listing on Open House site: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/2731
Enjoy!
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