The London Open House Festival, the world's largest architectural celebration, returns from September 12 to 20, offering design enthusiasts a chance to explore famous landmarks and private homes across all 33 London boroughs. Last year, the event attracted 375,000 visitors to 830 open days and events.
Ballot and Booking Details
The programme is divided into three types of visits: balloted entry, bookable slots, and drop-in visits. All are free, but tickets to headline events are limited. Last year, most slots were snapped up in 20 minutes, according to festival organisers. Bookings open at 12pm on August 19, with reminders advised.
The only building in the ballot this year is 10 Downing Street. Visitors can create an Open House visitor account online to enter the ballot for a guided tour from 11.30am to 1pm on September 13. Winners will be contacted after the draw at midday on August 17.
Bookable Landmarks
Some landmark open days are ticketed due to capacity limits, on a first-come, first-served basis when bookings open. The Lloyd's of London building in Lime Street is taking part as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. Designed by Lord Rogers and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, the building received a Grade I listing in 2011. Known as the "inside-out" building, its staircases, loos, glass lifts, and pipes are on the outside, leaving a central atrium rising 60 metres to a steel and glass barrel-vaulted roof. Tours take place on September 19.
A tour of Leadenhall Market on September 19 and 20 includes an exclusive visit to the Roman ruins beneath, including remains of a forum and basilica, which are not usually open to the public. The BT Tower in Fitzrovia and BBC Broadcasting House in Marylebone are now available to book, with trips to the BT Tower's revolving floor at 158m high on September 19 and 20, and guided walking tours of BBC's Art Deco-fronted headquarters on September 19.
The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, built in 1890 and decommissioned in 1977, is open for tours on September 19 and 20. It has been closed for the past decade, with an ambitious restoration plan set to transform it into a centre for experimental arts.
Drop-in Visits and Private Homes
At busy times, queues are likely at popular sites. The Mulryan Centre, home to English National Ballet, offers behind-the-scenes access, dance rehearsals, and workshops for children, adults, and Bhangra Ceilidh on September 19. The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich opens spaces usually off-limits, including Admiral's House from 11am to 5pm on September 13, and walking tours of the Jacobean Undercroft on September 12 and 13, the only remaining intact room from Greenwich Palace.
The Barnsbury Flat, an early Victorian home reconfigured by Fynn Architects, offers a masterclass in compact living with drop-in tours on September 12 between 10am and 4.30pm. Rufford Mews Apartment near King's Cross, home of RHS Chelsea gold medallists Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews, showcases creative design and furniture by Mike McMahon Studio. Green Lodge, a low-energy subterranean home on Putney Heath, is open on September 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20, with Stylus Architects on hand to discuss the transformation.
