Open House Weekend - 15th-16th September

Difficult to say, it depends on what you’re interested in. Modern architecture: if the LSE library is on the list that’s worth a visit – I think it’s a Foster design making use of an old book warehouse. It has a giant spiral ramp thingy in the middle and the year I went the lift voice sounded like Cartman off of South Park. 20th Century: the Midland bank HQ on Cheapside – a magnificent interior. A Lutyens building, which my great grandad worked on. 19th century: the old synagogue in Princelet St in Spitalfields, and Wiltons Music Hall in Wapping.

Posted about 1 year ago by auntierotter

I am stewarding at the Roundhouse on the Saturday afternoon. I love Open House. Last year was my first of actually volunteering; I was at the RFH, which was top fun, and a Georgian house on Roupell Street- which I fell in love with and wanted to kidnap from the owner. It’s such a brilliant event that I want to go to as many things as I possibly can.

Posted about 1 year ago by Mamfer

I’ve done days as round trips - one year : Clerkenwell Green for the Marx Library and Freemason’s Hall + the Wesley Methodist Chapel. Lunched in Upper Street and then Islington Town Hall - another year : St Pancras/Midland Hotel and the Welcome Institute, then the Coram/Children’s foundation house and ended up at the Staple Inn building off High Holborn - a City trip : the Bevis Mark Synagogue and Bishopsgate Institute + Midland Bank as Auntierotter recommended – couldn’t get to Bank of England as queue was too long

and if you’re nosy – private houses are great!

Comfy shoes are a must Enjoy!

Posted about 1 year ago by cfalconer

I agree totally with cfalconer re the shoes as You do alot of walking . One building I can definitelly recommend are the royal courts of justice on the strand as there is very beautiful architecture inside along with what used to be the biggest floor mosaic in Europe . You also get to learn some interesting tidbits about the buildings past .

Posted about 1 year ago by Mrsmileyface

I agree with Mrs Miley Face (or is it Mr Smiley Face?!) about the shoes. Also the City/Farringdon/Clerkenwell is a good place to go to see a lot. Livery buildings, Barbican flats, the Gherkin, Churches, Marx museum, lots of pubs etc etc etc. You have to book for tours of the livery buildings and the Gherkin though…

Posted about 1 year ago by Juvey

Thanks for some top tips, I helped run kids workshops – making skyscrapers out of celery, biscuits and spaghetti – in leadenhall last year with the firm I work for (arup) but am not tied to any one spot this year and this has given me lots of ideas of places to go. Shortlist so far: Marx Library, Amnesty HQ, Lloyds Building, London Library and a few private houses in my neck of the woods – comfy shoes at the ready…ooh I’m such a buildings geek!

Posted about 1 year ago by archetype

The Thames Festival is on as well and you can enjoy the fireworks on the Sunday too.

Posted about 1 year ago by unknown

The Thames Festival is on as well and you can enjoy the fireworks on the Sunday too.

Posted about 1 year ago by unknown

Know its a little late. Never heard of the open house in london untill I worked at one of the buildings thisweekend.

Talkback Thames (reminds me of situp britain) and the building was amazing, when you walk from oxford street down an alley then into what seems like a treehouse from the inside, with walkways between two buildings and gardens with herbs etc. Would definately suggest going next year.

Posted about 1 year ago by genvieve

I had a blast at the Roundhouse, so much so that I’ve signed up to be a volunteer steward.

Posted about 1 year ago by Mamfer