Ever wanted to have a nosy around some of London’s coolest private buildings? Open House London gives city dwellers free access to some of the capital’s architectural wonders that aren’t usually open to the public – from schools and offices to domestic homes and places of worship. The hugely popular, capital-wide fortnight-long festival is back for 2024, with properties open for you to peak in – for free – all across the capital’s 33 boroughs. All you need to do is create an account online and you can register to see as many buildings in the programme as you like. As well as the festival’s usual line-up of community events, drop-in sessions and tours.
Autumn feels like it’s well and truly in the air. Make the most of the new season this weekend by cuddling up in cosy pubs, heading out on russet leaf-lined walks and filling up your diary with all the events and things to do exploding onto the cultural calendar after the summer holidays.
Look out for the Old Vic’s revival of Tom Stoppard’s ‘The Real Thing’, which our theatre critic described as ‘a dizzyingly clever bit of autobiographical exploration, examining love, fidelity, writing and the faces we choose to present to the world’. Catch the final weekend of Lonnie Holley’s exhibition ‘All Rendered Truth’ at the Camden Centre with work exploring the complexities of the Deep South. Or enter the kaleidoscopic tunnels at the annual favourite Colourscape.
There are also plenty of exciting city-wide festivals taking place this week, including Open House – our annual excuse to mosey around London’s coolest buildings usually closed off to the public; the London Design Festival letting us experience brilliant installations from world-class designers at artistic districts dotted across the city; and Heritage Open Days, helping us discover London’s secret histories.
Or, check out London’s best bars and restaurants, and take in one of these lesser-known London attractions.
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