Some 600 venues will open their doors, while ballots soon open for 10 Downing Street and the BT Tower
A through-the-keyhole experience like no other is coming to London at the end of summer as Open House Festival returns. Running from Saturday, September 12, until Sunday, September 20, Open House Festival sees 644 venues open their doors to allow visitors to snoop inside buildings that are normally closed.
And with London, you can expect an impressive list of architectural gems to choose from. Venues opening their doors include City Hall, the Royal Courts of Justice, the Royal Society of Musicians, Chelsea Physic Garden, London Guildhall, Lincoln’s Inn, The Middle Temple, Inner Temple Gardens, English National Ballet, Hackney Empire, John Keats’ House and Charlton House, alongside a litany of stately homes, museums and old churches.
Registering for Open House Festival is free but individuals are encouraged to make an average donation of £7, which goes towards the cost of maintaining the buildings. Those looking for places to visit within a specific area can take advantage of the free interactive map here.
From August 19, registrants will be able to book visits and add sites to their own itineraries. While most of the venues will open to registrants, two venues on the list require visitors to take further steps.
A special ballot opens on Wednesday, July 29, for a guided tour of Number 10 Downing Street, while numerous guided tours to the top of the BT Tower will be available over the weekend of Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, with bookings available from August 19.
While snooping interiors may catch the interest of many visitors, hundreds of guided tours are scheduled over both weekends showcasing areas of interest across the city, and a list of neighbourhood programmes is also available.
London Open House Festival runs from Saturday, September 12, until Sunday, September 20
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