London Open House Weekend 2018

10 Must-See Buildings at London Open House Weekend

1. The View From The Shard 

Joiner Street, SE1 9EX

At a height of up to 800ft or 244m, and at almost twice the height of any other vantage point in London, visitors can experience unrivalled 360 degree views over the city for up to 40 miles on a clear day. Begin your journey in a high-speed lift that carries you from Level 1 to Level 68 in sixty seconds. 

Eat & Drink:  Relax with a glass of champagne on the Level 69 observation deck and then explore London’s Borough Market, just a short walk away.

2. Fuller’s Griffin Brewery 

The Griffin Brewery, Chiswick Lane South, W4 2QB

There’s been a brewery on this site since the 17th century. The present brewery has existed here for almost 200 years. Take the Fuller’s Brewery tour to discover more about this iconic London brewer.

Eat & Drink: Walk along the River Thames and go for lunch at The Dove, a Fuller’s pub next to the river in Hammersmith.

3. Brixton Windmill

Windmill Gardens, West end of Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5EU

One of very few windmills in London. It was built in 1816 when Brixton Hill was still open fields and remained a working mill until 1934. It was restored to full working order in 2011.

Eat & Drink: Explore Brixton Market and then head to Oval to do a tour of the Beefeater Gin Distillery.

4. Almshouses at The Geffrye Museum 

136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA

The Geffrye Museum is set in a row of 18th century almshouses which are Grade I listed. It’s a special kind of museum showing the way people have lived and furnished their homes over the centuries. The linear arrangement provides a series of period rooms which visitors move past in chronological order, displaying rooms from Tudor times to the present day.

Although the museum is currently closed for a 2-year development project, during London Open House Weekend you can visit the restored almshouses.

Eat & Drink:  The cafes, bagel shops and restaurants dotted along the nearby Columbia Road.

5. Dennis Severs House 

18 Folgate Street, E1 6BX

For a unique and remarkable experience, step inside this candlelit house and literally go back in time. It will reveal an intimate portrait of the lives of a family of Huguenot silk-weavers from 1724 to the dawn of the 20th Century. As you follow their fortunes through the generations, the sights, smells and sounds of the house take you into their lives. 

Eat & Drink: Dennis Severs House is next to Spitalfields market where there’s a good choice of places to eat. Ottolenghi’s restaurant is nearby, too.

6. Banqueting House 

Whitehall, SW1A 2ER

Take a look around James I’s Palace, completed in 1622. The Banqueting Hall was a venue for extravagant entertainment including masked balls and grand ambassadorial receptions. Explore his vaulted drinking den beneath the Banqueting House where he entertained his friends.

Eat & Drink: Walk across St James’ Park and dine like royalty by taking Afternoon Tea at The Ritz on Piccadilly.

7. Fulham Palace 

Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA

The former residence of the Bishop of London until 1973. The building is a mixture of styles and periods, but what survives is a Tudor manor house with Georgian additions and a Victorian chapel. There’s a delightful walled garden and a vinery.

Eat & Drink : Fulham Palace has a lovely garden cafe. Otherwise walk along the River from here to The River Cafe or Raymond Blanc’s newly-opened brasserie. Walk further and have a pint after doing the Fuller’s Griffin Brewery tour.

8. Forty Hall Estate 

Forty Hill, Enfield, EN2 9HA

Set in its own Estate, with walled garden, formal and informal gardens, lakes, lawns and meadows, Forty Hall is Grade I listed and important to architectural English history. The estate has its own farm and community vineyard with ten acres of vines.

Eat & Drink: Buy Estate and London produce from the Forty Hall Farm Shop. 

9. Billingsgate Roman Baths 

101 Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6DL

First discovered in 1848, these are some of London’s best Roman remains and the only accessible Roman house, comprising a late 2C house with a 3C bath house built within its courtyard.

Eat & Drink: Start your day early by visiting Billingsgate Fish Market and picking up a bargain for your supper.

10. Mrs Custard’s House 

41A Lambert Road, SW2 5BB

With a cat called Mrs Custard and an architect firm named Mustard Architects, we couldn’t resist this one. Take a look at this cleverly designed house with its internal glazed and plant-filled courtyard and sleek contemporary kitchen.

Eat & Drink: Explore the various stalls at nearby Brixton market or head to Clapham for lunch at The Dairy.

To find out more about the 800 properties featured in this year’s London Open House Weekend visit the official website:

https://openhouselondon.open-city.org.uk/