Book Now For Unusual Building Tours At Open House London

M@
By M@ Last edited 90 months ago

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Book Now For Unusual Building Tours At Open House London

Open House London is the annual festival in which the nosy public get to poke around in the capital's interesting buildings — many usually off limits.

The 2016 programme has now been announced, following something of a hush-hush, secretive non-buildup.

As ever, there are hundreds (727 according to the app) of buildings and guided tours you might opt for, spread across most of London's boroughs.

The vast majority hold no barriers — just turn up on the day, queue if necessary, then take a look around the building.

Some of the more sensitive locations, however, do require prebooking. Some are allocated by ballot and others on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tower 42: one of many places to explore.

Venues under ballot reportedly include 10 Downing Street, the BT Tower and (oddly) The London Eye — although at the time of writing, there is some contradiction between the app, website and booking form... best let this one settle down.

Those that require prebooking are numerous and include Tower 42, the Bank of England, Lambeth Palace, Antony Gormley's weird ROOM (a hotel room in a sculpture), Western Pumping Station in Chelsea, the underground bunker in Neasden, and the Government Art Collection, hidden in a warehouse off Tottenham Court Road.

The programme also includes the usual mix of talks, walks and boat tours exploring the capital's architecture.

Open House London 2016 runs throughout the capital, 17-18 September. Download the app for iPhone or Android, browse online, or order a paper-based programme.

Last Updated 23 September 2016