If you like poking around buildings that are usually off-limits, this is your September sorted
For two weeks in September, hundreds of London’s buildings swing open their doors, letting you peek inside spaces that are normally closed to the public. Run by the charity Open City, the festival is back for its 35th edition and it’s shaping up to be the biggest yet, covering everything from landmarks and new developments to heritage sites, places of work and homes. Whether it’s guided tours, walking tours, workshops or simple drop in sessions, Open House gives you access to London’s architectural gems and hidden spaces across all 33 boroughs. The best bit? Most of it’s free.
This year’s highlights are particularly strong. The Lloyd’s Building, that iconic piece of High-tech architecture by Richard Rogers, is opening for its 40th birthday celebrations. The Zaha Hadid Foundation archive is appearing in the festival programme for the first time, giving rare access to her architectural drawings, models and personal items. You can also explore Strongroom, the legendary recording studio where Radiohead, Nick Cave, The Prodigy and Frank Ocean have all worked their magic. There’s the Herne Hill Velodrome (built in 1891, hosted the 1948 Olympics), the Barbican Conservatory, the National Theatre Studio, and the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, London’s last remaining power station, closed for a decade and now being restored.
New additions include Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley, a rare immersive theatre space for young audiences; The Print House in Dalston, a 1970s Victorian factory that survived the Blitz; and several sustainable homes like St. George Villa and Green Lodge, if you’re into the whole low-carbon living thing.
The ever-popular sites are back too: 10 Downing Street, BT Tower, and BBC Broadcasting House. These require advance tickets via public ballot, which opens 19 August.
Open House also has curated neighbourhood trails this year, Fitzrovia, Bankside, Piccadilly & Jermyn Street, plus a hand-drawn map by Thomas Heatherwick’s studio for the King’s Cross Humanise trail, because apparently looking at buildings is more fun when you have a beautiful map to guide you.
Key Information
Dates | Sat 12th September – Sun 20th September 2026
Address | Various London locations
For more information | openhouse.org.uk
