Unlocking London’s Hidden Gems at the Open House London Festival

Planning a London trip in September? You’re in luck. Every year, the Open House London Festival, which is a free, two-week open-door event, opens up visits to hundreds of buildings and sites across the city. Think of it as the city-wide architecture tour: For nine days, you can visit historical churches, modern skyscrapers, homes and studios, many of which are usually closed for visitors. In this post, we’ll cover the festival’s history, schedule, hot spots, food tips, and even travel hacks so you can make the most of the experience.

Table of Contents

The Open House London Festival Story
Dates & Neighbourhoods: A Weekend Festival in London Schedule
Festival Highlights: Can’t-Miss Events
Places Worth Exploring During the Open House Festival
Tasty Festival Foods to Try
Find the Right Accommodation During the Festival
Expectations & Preparations for Open House Festival
Get Your Hopes High with the Open House Festival
FAQs

The Open House London Festival Story

London’s love affair with architecture shines through at Open House. Founded in 1992 by Victoria Thornton with just 17 buildings and 100 visitors, it was a one-weekend “open day” event. It quickly exploded in popularity; within two years, it had 200 sites, and by the 2000s, about 100,000 people were exploring London’s landmarks over a weekend. Today it’s a full two-week festival, now described as “the world’s largest celebration of special buildings and neighbourhoods”. Modern Open House spans all 33 London boroughs, turning streets, offices, pubs and even private homes into free mini-museums for a short time.

Hundreds of venues like St Bartholomew the Great in West Smithfield, London, open their doors, many of which are never normally public. Organisers even run guided tours of places like the Bank of England or the Gherkin, and lighthearted events like pub history talks and kids’ craft fairs. The result is a festival that feels more like a citywide celebration, full of curious Londoners, architecture buffs and travellers all peeking behind the city’s curtain.

Dates & Neighbourhoods: A Weekend Festival in London Schedule

In 2025 Open House Festival in London will welcome people with wide doors in September, from 13^th to 21^st. Expect to walk a lot, because each day typically features different neighbourhoods and themes. Here is what the schedule for the Open House Festival looks like:

• Day 1 (Weekend kick-off): The festival often starts with a family-friendly “open day” in the City of London or Westminster. For example, past first weekends have featured Family Day in the City, offering kids’ activities like map-making and crafts across multiple venues. It’s a playful way to launch the event.
• Midweek (Mon–Fri): Each weekday spotlights special tours and talks. You might join a guided walk tracing medieval churches or witness a behind-the-scenes demo at a modern office. Keep an eye on the schedule: some days have accelerated debates at historic sites or art workshops in galleries.
• Final Weekend (Closing events): The festival wraps up with a big finale on the last Saturday and Sunday. This often includes community festivals and drop-in fairs

Festival Highlights: Can’t-Miss Events

Each Open House day has dozens of events. Here are some must-do experiences that typify the festival:

• Exclusive Building Tours: Peek inside normally-closed landmarks. In recent years, visitors have toured the Bank of England, seen Anthony Gormley’s ROOM sculpture at the Beaumont Hotel, or explored ancient Livery Halls. These high-profile tours fill up fast.
• Private Homes & Innovators: Londoners open their homes too. Access to private properties offers people to learn more about unique and latest architectural designs. These are generally the rich area of London that opens for visitors.
• Music & Art Pop-ups: The festival mixes in creative events. Expect small concerts and installations in hidden spots, maybe a secret gig at the Aga Khan Centre or a DJ set in a community library.
• Community Fairs: Many days also feature drop-in fairs. These are fun for people from all age groups because there are unique crafting activities and markets open for everyone.

Places Worth Exploring During the Open House Festival

During Open House, almost any corner of London can surprise you, but here are some notable spots and areas to consider:

City of London (Square Mile)

Don’t just think finance towers, the City is a rich area of hidden history. Venues like Queen Elizabeth Hall, London and the Royal Festival Hall sometimes open their doors, revealing backstage areas or roof gardens.

Historic Schools & Halls:

Open House can include unusual sites like schools and community centres. Some tours may take you through modern residential blocks or student accommodations. Even places akin to City Gateway Halls can feature, giving insight into contemporary London living.

East London & Beyond:

Venture outside the centre to vibrant neighbourhoods. As you wander these areas, enjoy colourful street art and local life, Open House is as much about exploring communities as buildings.

Tasty Festival Foods to Try

While Open House isn’t a food festival, sightseeing always works up an appetite. Luckily, London offers endless eats. A trip to London isn’t complete without battered cod and chips. Grab a takeaway from a chippy (many near landmark areas) and enjoy by the river or in a park.

You can also try a hearty British pie, steak & kidney pie or chicken pie with mash and gravy, at a cosy pub near your walking tour. Places like the City’s historic pubs often serve a solid pie-and-mash lunch. There are many pubs and afternoon tea places open for people to enjoy during the festival.

Find the Right Accommodation During the Festival

As an international visitor, you’ll want a place that’s convenient for festival travel. Book early, September is still tourist season. Central areas like Westminster, South Bank, or the City of London put you near many events, but can be pricey. You can also explore several accommodation options in the Open House Festival:

• Hostels & Budget Stays: London has many hostels for backpackers, offering dorm-style or private rooms at a lower cost. They’re social and often have tourist info on hand.
• Alternate Lodgings: Apps like Airbnb list flats all over London, great if you want a kitchen or a local feel. Some student dorms or hall-style residences might also pop up on the market in late summer (the way some cities rent student halls to tourists).
• Location Tip: Wherever you stay, make sure it’s near transport (Underground or Overground train lines). That way, you can jump easily between neighbourhoods. Use travel sites or maps to compare locations; some lesser-known zones are well-connected and cheaper.

Expectations & Preparations for Open House Festival

If you are going to the Open House Festival for the first time, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Walking: You’ll likely walk or take the Tube between multiple sites each day. Wear comfy shoes and check maps in advance.
• Booking: Many popular venues require free registration or tickets (even if entry is free). Before you go, visit the Open House website or app to book slots for big sites.
• Stay Connected: Plan how you’ll get around. Google Maps or the Transport for London app are invaluable. This is where an eSIM is super handy; you can buy data on the fly for navigation.

Get Your Hopes High with the Open House Festival

Don’t let tech troubles slow you down. eSIM Cards make getting an eSIM for your phone a breeze: you can buy a UK data plan without swapping SIM cards, so you stay online for maps and travel tips. That means you can look up walking directions, translation or last-minute festival updates right when you need them, no more hunting for Wi-Fi.

Ultimately, Open House is about discovery. The Open House London festival turns the city into a playground of architecture and history. It’s friendly and free, so go ahead and jump in. With your comfy shoes on and phone connected via eSIM (thanks to eSIM Cards), you’ll be all set to wander, wonder and enjoy London’s hidden gems. This unique weekend festival is one of the coolest ways to explore the City, so unlock those doors, say hello to locals, and have fun!

FAQs

Q1. What is the Open House London Festival?

Ans. It’s a yearly, citywide architecture festival where hundreds of London buildings open their doors for free tours and events. Think of it as a big “open house” for the city, historic landmarks, modern offices, churches and even private homes welcome visitors to explore every September.

Q2. When does the Open House London Festival take place?

Ans. The festival runs each September. It is a two-weekend-long festival which is organised from 13^th to 21^st September in the year 2025.

Q3. Is St Margaret’s Church of England Academy open during the festival?

Ans. You’ll find many London schools and community buildings on the Open House list, but not that one. St Margaret’s Church of England Academy is located in Liverpool.

Q4. What can visitors expect from the Open House London Festival?

Ans. Expect a jam-packed schedule of free events. Hundreds of buildings, including a rich area of London with historic and social significance, are open for visitors, which makes it a unique weekend.

Q5. Is it important to buy tickets for the Open House London Festival?

Ans. No purchase is necessary; all events are free. You might have to pre-register for some events and places, but they are free of cost.