Highlights include 10 Downing Street, the BT Tower, and two Richard Rogers buildings: Lloyd’s of London and 22 Parkside. Tickets to see these buildings have already been awarded by advance registration or ballot.
The annual event allows rare access to new and old architecture in all of London’s 33 boroughs. And more than 500 buildings will be open as ‘drop-ins’ with no pre-booking required.
Among the landmarks opening for drop-in visits are Foster + Partners’ Riverside headquarters in Battersea, the Herne Hill Velodrome by Hopkins Architects, St Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration by Tim Ronalds Architects.
Also available for drop-ins are Kew House by Piercy & Company, the University of Greenwich at Stockwell Street by Heneghan Peng Architects and the Resonance FM Studios by James Pooley Architecture.
This year’s festival also includes special ‘collections’ – themed groups of buildings, focusing on Homes with Stories to Tell, Hidden Histories, Green London and Meet the Architects.
The full listings are available at the Open House Festival website.
Founded in 1992, Open House typically sees around 250,000 people engage with London’s most compelling architecture, heritage and communities. This year’s festival will run from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September.
The 2026 Open House Festival comes four years after the 30th anniversary of its parent charity, Open City, which runs a year-round programme of educational activities, films, tours, and podcasts.
Ten drop-in highlights from the 2026 Open House Festival
Red House
Source: Image by National Trust Images Andrew Butler
Red House, Bexley, by Philip Webb with William Morris
Completed in 1860 as William Morris’s first home and a manifesto for the Arts and Crafts movement, Red House features a wealth of original details, including decorations by Pre-Raphaelite artists. Part of the complex was later home to Lambeth Council’s lead architect Ted Hollamby.
Drop‑in guided tours 11am-4pm on Thursday 17 Sep and Friday 18 September.
Lillington Gardens Estate
Source: Image by Jane Opher
Lillington Gardens Estate, Pimlico, by Darbourne & Darke
Built between 1961 and 1971, Lillington Gardens is credited with redefining London public housing of its time – ushering in a new focus on medium‑rise blocks and green public and private spaces.
Drop‑in tours on Saturday 19 September, departing regularly (roughly every 20 minutes) from the Community Centre under Morgan House.
Buzz Bingo
Source: Image by Merlin Fulcher
Buzz Bingo Hall (former Granada Cinema), Tooting, by Cecil Massey and Theodore Komisarjevsky
The Tooting Granada features an extraordinary and fantastical Gothic-style interior by designer Theodore Komisarjevsky. Alongside the bingo, key highlights include the double‑height foyer, hall of mirrors and main auditorium.
Drop‑in tours will take place roughly every 20 minutes from 10am-12pm on Sunday 20 September.
Wade House
Source: Image by Lorenzo Zandri
Wade House, Ruislip, by Wadhal
Occupying a tight backland plot in Ruislip’s Manor estate, Wade House by emerging west London practice Wadhal is a two‑storey, two‑bedroom detached home that mirrors 1930s suburban forms.
Drop‑in from 12-4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September
7 Meadow Lane
Source: Image by Charmaine McNally
7 Meadow Lane, Grove Park, by Fusion Jameen with Tim Oshodi
Part of a 14‑home, women‑led community self‑build scheme, 7 Meadow Lane is Charmaine McNally’s six‑bedroom home and garden, created after training from scratch in DIY and construction.
Drop‑in from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 20 September
Source:Johan Dehlin
A House For Artists
Source: Johan Dehlin
A House for Artists, Barking, by Apparata
Co‑commissioned by Create London and Barking & Dagenham Council and shortlisted for the 2023 Stirling Prize, A House for Artists features 14 subsidised artist homes with studios and a ground‑floor community space, exchanging reduced rent for weekly public programming.
Drop‑in from 11am to 1pm on Sunday 20 September
Kaymet Factory
Source: Image by Mark Brearley
Kaymet Factory, Bermondsey, architect unknown (1958)
A hidden 1950s industrial shed behind Asda on Ossory Road, the Kaymet Factory remains a working plant making anodised aluminium trays and trolleys using mid‑century kit and craft.
Drop‑in from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, and Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
Bruno Court, The German Hospital
Source: Image by George Spencer
Bruno Court, The German Hospital, Hackney, by Burnet, Tait and Lorne
This 1936 Modernist-style hospital wing, converted to flats in 1999, preserves many original features in its common areas, including Janus tiles from Germany, terrazzo stairwells and streamlined sun balconies informed by Finland’s Paimio Sanatorium.
Drop‑in for guided tours from 10am to 12pm on Sunday 20 September
St Paul’s, Newington
Source: Image by Merlin Fulcher
St Paul’s, Newington, by Woodroffe Buchanan and Coulter
Replacing a fire‑destroyed 1856 church, St Paul’s (1955-60) is a rare post‑war Anglican church featuring reinforced concrete, hexagonal stained-glass windows, and a dramatic copper roof with distinctive protruding gables and dormers.
Drop‑in guided tours from 10.30am to 2pm on Saturdays 12 and 19 September and from 11am to 2pm on Sundays 13 and 20 September
Ismaili Centre London
Source: Ismaili Centre London
The Ismaili Centre, South Kensington, by Casson Conder Partnership
Opened in 1985, the Ismaili Centre features materials from around the world, Islamic geometric patterns and calligraphy by Karl Schlamminger. Designed as a religious, cultural and social hub, the complex includes a roof garden framed by South Kensington’s museum domes.
Drop‑in open day with guided tours and workshops from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 13 September