About

Open House Festival is a two week celebration of London’s housing, architecture and neighbourhoods. 

The festival is led by a community of Londoners who, for the duration of the festival, open up buildings they either own, work or care for so that visitors can explore. Along with the festival contributors, over 500 volunteers come together to help open up London’s best buildings. 

Visitors can explore the full festival programme and all the different open buildings through the festival website, where they can sign-up and book onto tours of buildings or drop-in to openings and events. 

Along with open buildings, the festival has a programme of urban walks and tours, and is one of the best ways to learn about London’s history, architecture and the social significance of the diverse neighbourhoods of London.  

OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE (14th & 15th September)
Grand Square [Talk | Duration: 15mins]
Time: 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm
The Grand Square of the Old Royal Naval College lies at the heart of one of the most spectacular architectural complexes in Europe. 
* These drop-in talks will explore the histories behind the sweeping vistas on view.

King William Courtyard [Talk | Duration: 15 mins]
Hawksmoor’s work in the King William Courtyard, with its massive scale and sculptural enrichment, is a quintessential example of English Baroque.  The Courtyard is overlooked by the Nelson Pediment, created in Coade stone to a design by the American-born history painter, Benjamin West. These talks will examine the art and architecture of this unique space.
* Unfortunately, there is no step-free access for this talk

Jacobean Undercroft [Tour | Duration: 20mins]
Time: 11:00am, 12 noon, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm
A rare opportunity to visit the Undercroft of the Queen Anne Building, a survival from the early 1600s and the only remaining intact room from Greenwich Palace.
* The Undercroft is reached by a flight of steps: unfortunately, there is no step-free access for this visit

Admiral's House (15th September) - [Drop-in session]
Time: 11:00am - 5:00pm
One of the oldest surviving parts of the site, Admiral’s House, overlooking the Thames, was once the residence of the Governor of the Royal Hospital for Seamen. Originally designed by John Webb for Charles II as part of a plan to create a royal palace to rival Versailles. A rare chance to view this elegant space.
* Access will be to the ground floor only

British Sign Language Tours (15th September)
As part of Old Royal Naval College's Open House programme, British Sign Language (BSL) tours of the Jacobean Undercroft and Admiral’s House will be delivered by expert BSL tour guide Alan Murray. These tours are FREE, however prior booking is essential.
Admiral's House - Book Now  
Jacobean Undercroft - Book Now

Undercroft Cafe 
Opening Hours: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Enjoy a delicious cream tea and hot drink in the Undercroft Cafe in the King William Undercroft, underneath the Painted Hall.

See full programme here.

CHARLTON HOUSE & GARDENS (15th September)
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm 
Charlton House is opening their doors to celebrate London’s Open House Festival! If you have ever wanted to look around the house, learn more about its history and meet the team who work to maintain the house & gardens, come and join in for the day! A unique opportunity to come and learn more about the amazing projects in the pipeline across the Estate and see behind the scenes into life at Charlton House.
* No need to book; simply pop along at any time between 10am and 4pm to get involved.

See full programme here.