Open House festival to include iconic City landmarks
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre, The London Archives, The Mansion House, Great Hall at Guildhall, Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, and the Barbican Estate are among the City Corporation-owned buildings and historic venues opening their doors for the Open House Festival next month.
Featuring over 70 activities to see and do in the City, including open access to a wide range of ancient and modern buildings, Open House Festival is billed as an annual celebration of the capital’s buildings, architecture, and neighbourhoods.
The Festival will take place across two weekends: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September, and Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. All events are FREE – with some requiring advance booking.
Family activities, guided tours, and walks covering topics including LGBTQ+ history, Smithfield Market, Muslim history, the Great Fire of London, and architecture tours of the Barbican Estate and its gardens are included in this year’s programme.
Event highlights include:
· Guildhall Art Gallery and London’s Roman Amphitheatre
Join a combined tour of Guildhall Art Gallery and London’s Roman Amphitheatre and discover the Gallery’s collection of 250 artworks and the 2,000-year-old remains of London’s second century Roman Amphitheatre.
· The London Archives (Clerkenwell, Islington)
14 September, hourly tours from 10.30am, advance booking required
Take a trip behind the scenes at this modern archive. View the ‘Lost Victorian City: a London Disappeared’ exhibition, browse archive films in the Mediatheque, and talk with TLA staff about its collections. Book tickets from https://programme.openhouse.org.uk
· Giant Dolls House Project (Family Activities) at Guildhall Art Gallery
Saturday 14, 11am – 4pm, drop-in event
A special collaboration with The Giant Dolls’ House Project invites families to design their own shoebox building, as part of an installation at the gallery. The gallery will feature a story corner with a library, cushions, and costumes.
· Smithfield Market early morning tour
Friday 20, advance booking only
This early morning tour with a City Guide provides a perfect opportunity to experience the hustle-and-bustle of the City of London’s last surviving market.
- Guildhall Library:
Great Plague Family Activities Saturday 14, 10am-4pm drop-in event
View historic Great plague documents, get involved in creative children’s activities, and take away some free children’s books.
History and Treasures of Guildhall Library Saturday 21, 10am – 4pm, drop-in event
Join our expert librarians to discover the fascinating history of Guildhall Library and view items from some of its impressive collections.
· The Mansion House (guided tours)
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm, advance booking only
Take a guided tour of the official residence of Lord Mayor of the City of London, Professor Michael Mainelli, which retains its 18-century character and features superb plasterwork and wood carving.
· The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22
Trade and craft associations have flourished for many centuries. The City of London companies, now known as the Livery, are unique in their survival, number, and diversity. The social and economic conditions which gave birth to the original guilds have long since been overtaken by the development of industry and commerce, but the Livery companies still flourish today.
· Barbican and Gardens
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22
Learn about the architecture of the Barbican Estate, a fascinating development and an icon of Brutalist architecture.
· The Great Fire of London
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22
Learn about the Great Fire of 1666, which devastated most of the City, thousands of houses, many churches, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
· From Prejudice to Pride
Sat 21 and Sun 22, advance booking required.
Join a City Guide to explore the stories of queer monarchs; the Cathedral convenience; erotic theatre; and cross-dressers.
· Muslim history of the City
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, advance booking required
On this tour, discover the deep connections of Salahuddin Ayubi and marvel at the UK’s oldest Muslim statues. Uncover the legacy of England’s most famous Middle Eastern immigrant and delve into fascinating historical tales.
For full details about City events during Open House Festival, please visit
www.open-city.org.uk and https://programme.openhouse.org.uk
Image: Robert Lamb
