London Open House 2025
Behind the doors of the city
The Open House Festival 2025 celebrates architecture, urban spaces and the communities shaping London's past, present and future. Running from September 13–21, the festival grants access to over 800 buildings, guided walks, exhibitions and events, opening normally inaccessible historic landmarks and contemporary architectural spaces.
London Open House 2025
The Open House Festival 2025 is an annual festival to celebrate architecture, urban spaces and the people and communities that create them (whether they be past, present or future). The programme, which ran from September 13 – 21, provides access to over 800 buildings, sites and hosted walks…. stretching across the whole of London. Open House offers the chance to explore spaces that would not normally be accessible including iconic historical buildings and cutting-edge contemporary architecture.
Open House Day 1
On my first day, I managed to visit the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, the Annunciation Marble Arch, Lincolns Inn, the Law Society of England and Wales, Maughan Library and St Margaret Pattens Guild Church. Timetabling can be a bit of a nightmare as some of the places require particular visiting times and opening times vary considerably.
For nine days a year, the city quietly unlocks its hidden rooms and asks you to look up.
Open House Day 2
On my second day, I managed to visit City Hall, the Good Hotel (although not on the festival timetable), Hackney Empire, HMS Wellington, Crown Court Church of Scotland and Fitrovia Chapel (wow). Timetabling is a bit of a nightmare as some of the places require particular visiting times and opening times vary considerably across the different places.
Open House Day 3
On my third day, I managed to visit Guildhall, Hoxton Hall, London Scottish House, the Zaha Hadid Foundation, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Australian High Commission in the Strand. Timetabling is a bit of a nightmare as two of the places required strict visiting times and opening times vary considerably across the remaining places.
Open House Day 4
On the final day, I managed to visit the Guildhall Art Gallery including the Roman Ampitheatre, the Royal Society, Two Temple Place, Dr Johnson's House, St Bride's Church and the Trinity Buoy (London's only lighthouse). Timetabling is a still bit of a nightmare especially when the church has a Sunday service throwing your timetable into disarray.
London Open House 2025 videos
Four short videos from the journey — click any thumbnail to open it on YouTube.
