It's that time of year again when we stare out our Time Out in shock- is Open House this weekend?! Yes it is this weekend, which means you have only a few days to game plan how you are going to spend your Saturday and Sunday getting behind London's locked doors. If you are like us, then you were probably too caught up with other things to remember to get your name down for the pre-booking only events. But fear not! With over 800 amazing buildings to see all over London, plus guided tours and walks, there is still plenty for you to do and see.
In case this is all knew to you, Open House is an initiative run by OpenCity which aims to engage the public with London's built environment. Once a year they organise for London landmarks, museums, galleries, office buildings, and even private homes to throw open their doors for us noisy lot to wander around. There is literally something for every taste this weekend: whether you swoon for the Brutalists or get down with the Victorians, you can tailor your visits for your interests. Or mix it up and learn something new!One of the things that was really stressed at the launch event on the 8th was the organisations desire to encourage people to explore not just individual buildings, but urban environments as a whole. To that end they've also added in some pretty sweet treasure hunts, photo tours and walks. To find out more visit: http://events.londonopenhouse.org/Venues?q=
We think our top picks might give away our love for all things Victorian and macabre, but here's what the Ministry Recommends you see:
18 Stafford Terrace - The Sambourne
Family Home
18 Stafford Terrace, W8 7BH, London, England
Open House Says: From
1875, the home of the Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, his wife
Marion, their two children and their live-in servants. Today, the house is recognised
as the best surviving example of a late Victorian middle-class home in the UK.
It is remarkably well-preserved and complete with its original interior
decoration and contents.
The Ministry Says: Love the sitting room stuffed full of knick-nacks, wonder if I could hire their decorator...
Event Days/Times
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Saturday | 10:30am-to-5pm
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Event/Entry Details
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First come basis. Entry at set intervals - cards will be
given out with entrance time.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 4pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: ground floor and basement only.
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How to get there
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68 Dean Street
68 Dean Street, W1D 4QJ, London, England
Open House Says: Fine example of early 18C London domestic architecture by local
carpenter/builder, with separate cesspits for the Meards and servants, and
largely panelled hidden rooms.
The Ministry Says: Cesspits? Sold.
Event Days/Times
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Saturday | 10am-to-5pm
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Event/Entry Details
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Tours on the hour (not 1pm), first come basis.
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Last Entry Time
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Last tour 4pm.
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How to get there
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Abbey Mills Pumping Station
Abbey Lane, E15 2RW, London, England
Open House Says: View the Abbey Mills pumping
station A, built by engineer Joseph Bazalgette, Edmund Cooper and architect
Charles Driver. Built between 1865 and 1868 it has been described as the
cathedral of sewage.
The Ministry Says: Can't go wrong with a catherdral of sewage. Who doesn't love Bazalgette?
Event/Entry Details
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Sat & Sun tours at 10am, 11am, 12noon,
1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Pre-book ONLY on londonopenhouse@thameswater.co.uk � clearly marking the subject � ABBEY MILLS: Open House � Please do not turn up on the day without pre-booking.
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How to get there
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Apothecaries' Hall
Black Friars Lane, EC4V 6EJ, London, England
Open House Says: A courtyard building with some
of the best-preserved 17C livery hall interiors, on the site of the Blackfriars
Priory on which the original hall burnt down in 1666.
The Ministry Says: Have always wanted to visit here and see the Great Hall, maybe this weekend is the time to finally get to it!
Event Days/Times
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Sunday | 10am-to-3pm
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Event/Entry Details
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First come basis.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 2.45pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: parlour, court room, great hall.
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How to get there
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Arts Lav
180 Kennington Lane, SE11 4UZ, London, England
Open House Says: Once a Victorian Gentleman's
lavatory, ArtsLav is now a thriving arts hub in a listed and semi-restored
Kennington landmark. Original features include marble urinals, glass water
tank, mosaic floor, ventilator shaft and horse trough.
The Ministry Says: Are we on an accidental toilet and sewage theme for our picks? Maybe- but the Victorians loved their water and sanitation reform, so much they covered it in marble.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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First come basis, queuing outside if
necessary.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 4.45pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: all areas.
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How to get there
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Bells and Belfries at St Botolph Aldgate
Aldgate High Street, EC3N 1AB, London, England
Open House Says: Rare opportunity to see the
bells and belfry of this church by the architect of Mansion House, with
demonstrations taking place. Inside is London's oldest organ
The Ministry Says: Ring my beeeeeeelll, ring my bell.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Bell ringing demonstrations and limited
belfry tours on Sat only (10am-12noon & 2pm-4pm). Max 20 in belfry.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 3.30pm.
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How to get there
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Bethlem Royal Hospital
Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, BR3 3BX,
London, England
Open House Says: The first opportunity to see
the 1930 hospital administration building, currently undergoing refurbishment
to open in 2015 as the Museum of the Mind.
The Ministry Says: Sneak peek! Yes please, can't wait for the Museum of the Mind!
Event Days/Times
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Saturday | 10am-to-5pm
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Event/Entry Details
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Tours of administration building at 10am and
11am, first come basis.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 4.30pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: archives and museum (10-5), main
building by tours only.
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How to get there
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Billingsgate Roman House and Baths
101 Lower Thames Street, EC2R 6DL, London,
England
Open House Says: Some of London's best Roman
remains, comprising late 2C house with a 3C bath house built within its
courtyard. First discovered in 1848.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Museum of London curators on site.
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How to get there
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Boone's Chapel
Lee High Road, SE13 5PH, London, England
Open House Says: Grade I listed former
almshouse chapel restored in 2008 as an architect's studio and exhibition
space. Brick and Portland stone chapel (1682) with contemporary service
building and small garden in grounds of the Merchant Taylors' Almshouses. Green
features include recycled materials, sheep's wool insulation and lime plaster.
The Ministry Says: Where history and art meet- that's where you'll find us.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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First come basis. Exhibition material on the
social history of the building.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: chapel.
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How to get there
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Brixton Windmill
Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5ET, London, England
Open House Says: One of very few windmills in
London. Built 1816 when Brixton Hill was open fields and a working mill until
1934. Restored to working order 2011.
The Ministry Says: That pub is named after a real thing?!
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Half-hourly tours, duration 40 mins, max 3
per tour, pre-book ONLY on 07587 170 029. 'Short' tours to first floor, first
come basis, duration 20 mins, max 6 per tour.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 4.40 pm.
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Entry Areas
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NB. steep ladders, low beams, heavy
machinery and confined spaces. All children must be able to climb stairs
unaided.
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How to get there
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Caroline Gardens Chapel
Asylum Road, SE15 2SQ, London, England
Open House Says: An extraordinary centrepiece
of a large almshouse complex, the chapel was originally intended for retired
publicans and brewers. It was severely damaged in WWII, but a collection of
funerary monuments and painted glass windows survived. Sealed up until recently
it is now an arts centre.
The Ministry Says: Tres chic arts venue in Peckham, cool kids only.
Event Days/Times
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Saturday | 8am-to-3pm
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Entry Areas
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Entry: chapel, general estate.
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How to get there
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City Alleyways
Meet: Outside Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall
Yard, EC2V 5AE, London, England
Open House Says: A walk through some of the old
alleyways of the City of London, passing Wren churches, Livery Halls and many
little known historical places, finishing at the Monument. Walk led by
qualified City of London guide.
The Ministry Says: Wander the windy streets of London, and not just when you are looking for a night bus.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Regular departures every 45minutes from
10.30am. Duration approx 2 hours. First come first served.
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Last Entry Time
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Last tour 3.30pm.
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How to get there
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Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street, SW1A 2AH, London, England
Open House Says: Grade I listed Victorian
government office buildings. Former India Office includes the magnificently
decorated Durbar Court.
The Ministry Says: Phwoar, the Empire is alive and well in London's architecture!
Event Days/Times
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 4.30pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: Durbar court, India Office council
chamber, Locarno suite and Foreign Office grand staircase.
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How to get there
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Home House
19, 20 & 21 Portman Square, W1H 6LW, London, England
Open House Says: Built in 1776 by Wyatt with
very fine interiors by Adam. Was the London base of the Countess of Home and is
probably the greatest surviving Georgian town house.
The Ministry Says: Shout out to the Georgians. Plus Home House for Open House? Too good.
Event/Entry Details
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Sun tours at 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, pre-book ONLY by
email on openhouse@homehouse.co.uk, confirmation sent by email.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: Drawing rooms.
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How to get there
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Langham House Close, Flats
Langham House Close, Ham Common, TW10 7JE,
London, England
Open House Says: A landmark in 'Brutalism'.
Exposed shuttered concrete and brick construction with iconic oversized
concrete 'gargoyles' and geometric fenestration. Interior features exposed
brick chimney/mantle/squint and architect-designed cupboards.
The Ministry Says: For all you Brutalist fans out there. Or Westerners.
Event Days/Times
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Saturday | 10am-to-5pm
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Event/Entry Details
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First come basis, queuing if necessary.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 5pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: entrance hall to flats 25-30,
interior of flat 7.
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How to get there
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Nunhead Cemetery
Linden Grove, SE15 3LP, London, England
Open House Says: Magnificent Victorian cemetery
with Gothic chapel and ruined lodge. One of London's wildest and most overgrown
cemeteries, a square mile of inner city forest. Restored with the help of a
lottery grant. Unique in London - 50 acres of wilderness, complete with bats,
owls, foxes and squirrels.
The Ministry Says: A lesser known of the Magnificent Seven - for all you morbid kiddies.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Tours at 2pm, 3pm of the cemetery and
chapel.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: cemetery, chapel.
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How to get there
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Sandys Row Synagogue
4 Sandys Row, E1 7HW, London, England
Open House Says: Hidden gem at the very heart
of London. Built originally as Huguenot chapel in 1763, this extraordinary
building has been in continuous use as a synagogue since 1860. Oldest Ashkenazi
synagogue in London.
The Ministry Says: We had no idea this was here! Oh London, what secrets do you keep...
Event Days/Times
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Sunday | 12pm-to-4pm
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Event/Entry Details
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Regular tours, first come basis. Films will
also be shown.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 3.45pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: synagogue sanctuary, vestry, ladies
gallery.
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How to get there
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The Tin Tabernacle / Cambridge Hall
12-16 Cambridge Avenue, NW6 5BA, London,
England
Open House Says: 1860s corrugated iron chapel.
Inside transformed after the last war into a ship by local people, complete
with decks, portholes, bridge and even a bofors gun.
The Ministry Says: Community engaging with historic spaces, love it.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Half-hourly tours, first come basis.
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Last Entry Time
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Last tour 4pm. Last entry 4.30pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: Chapel, roperoom, classroom,
wardroom.
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How to get there
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Trinity Buoy Wharf/Container City
64 Orchard Place E14 0JY, E14 0JW, London,
England
Open House Says: Home to London's only
lighthouse, fine stock buildings and examples of the innovative Container City
buildings including the new Olympic Legacy - Clipper House. This former buoy
manufacturing site is now a centre for the creative industries with Thames views
and various sculptures and installations. 500th anniversary of Trinity House.
The Ministry Says: Container architecture of course - plus plenty of installations.
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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History & art and regeneration tour
12noon. First come basis, meet at lighthouse.
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Last Entry Time
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Last entry 3.30pm.
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Entry Areas
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Entry: Trinity Buoy Wharf, Container City,
lighthouse, historic buildings, pier, lightship.
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How to get there
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V&A Study Centre, Blythe House
23 Blythe Road, W14 0QX, London, England
Open House Says: A glimpse of the Victoria and
Albert Museum's study centre at Blythe House near Olympia, including new
reception area by Haworth Tompkins and display of Eduardo Paolozzi's Krazy Kat
Arkive of Twentieth-Century Popular Culture.
The Ministry Says: Unless you work in a museum or are doing research you probably won't ever get to step inside the imposing building that is Blythe House, home to the off-site stores of the V&A, British Museum and Science Museum. Stood in for the Circus in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. A very cool museum behind the scenes!
Event Days/Times
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Event/Entry Details
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Courtyard and reception areas only,
including the krazy kat arkive. Tours of the Clothworkers' Centre at 12noon,
2pm and 4pm. Pre-book ONLY on 0207 942 2211.
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How to get there
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Wilton's Music Hall
Graces Alley, Ensign Street, E1 8JB, London,
England
Open House Says: The oldest music hall in London to survive in its original form,
complete with papier-mache balconies, barley sugar iron columns and unique atmosphere. Hall is fronted by
five terrace houses; four Georgian and one 1990s.
The Ministry Says: One of our favourite spots in the whole city! Amazing building and a great bar for a rest from all your wanderings!
Event
Days/Times
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Saturday | 12pm-to-11pm
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Event/Entry
Details
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First
come basis, queuing outside if necessary. Audio tours available.
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Entry
Areas
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Entry:
main hall, foyer, upstairs foyer.
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How
to get there
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The Old Mortuary
St Marychurch Street, SE16 4JE, London,
England
Open House Says: Erected in 1895 and situated in Rotherhithe Conservation Area.
Retains many original features including a vaulted ceiling in Russell Hall,
original doors, lantern skylight and iron girder in Varney Room (formerly
post-mortem room), wooden panelling in chapel. Now community centre with local
history group (Time and Talents Association).
The Ministry Says: A mortuary built to house all the bodies washed up by the Thames in Rotherhithe. Or as you look at it now, community centre. Oh London, I love you.
Event
Days/Times
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Event/Entry
Details
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Regular
tours and special display of features of local history.
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Last
Entry Time
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Last
entry 4pm.
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Entry
Areas
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Entry:
former mortuary, post mortem room, chapel.
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How
to get there
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