Discover the architectural gems on your doorstep with the return of an event all about celebrating the capital’s innovation and heritage.
Open House London is back on the weekend of September 16 and 17, showcasing hundreds of historic, and modern, sites which enrich their communities.
Havering has taken part in the 25-year-old festival since 1998, and this year 15 buildings are available for you to explore.
Take a look at the selection below.
Romford
Havering Museum, High Street
Open Saturday, September 16, 10am-5pm.
The seven-year-old attraction is housed in part of the old Romford Brewery building, and close to the historic market.
Temporary and permanent exhibitions tell the story of Havering from the Bronze Age to the present day.
Havering Town Hall, Main Road
Saturday, September 16, noon-3.30pm, tours every 30 minutes.
Grade II listed building from 1935 with unique fittings using Bath stone, red cedar wood and Tasmanian oak, features a full-height entrance hall and tall central staircase window and flagpoles.
Upminster
Upminster Old Chapel, St Mary’s Lane
Sunday, September 17, 3-6pm.
The former Dissenters’ Meeting House dates from 1800, and is Grade II listed.
The timber-framed building has a pedimented facade and Doric entrance porch.
Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia, Hall Lane
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 10.30am-4pm.
This aisled barn with a reed-thatched roof was built in 1450, and now houses many historic objects.
Upminster Windmill Visitor Centre, Mill Field, St Mary’s Lane
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 10am-5pm.
This modern visitor centre, built over the old mill house, contains an education room and workshop.
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Broadfields, Pike Lane
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 10am-5pm, plus a Sunday craft market at 10.15am.
This award-winning visitor centre of modern timber, completed in 2005, is attached to a 17th century barn which is one of the best preserved examples in the capital.
Elm Park
Elm Park Primary School, South End Road
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 1-5pm.
The bright and spacious school features a two-storey building with sedum glass roof, and classroom spaces opening onto a double-height shared ‘heart’ space.
The building dates from 2011.
Hornchurch
Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 9am-5pm, coinciding with the Historical & Military Weekend.
The centre is a venture between Essex Wildlife Trust and Havering Council, built on the site of former airfield RAF Hornchurch, which played a significant role in both world wars.
Langtons House, Billet Lane
Sunday, September 17, 10am-5pm, featuring tours of the building and gardens.
Grade II listed neo-Georgian house, boasting a landscaped garden with lake, orangery and gazebo.
Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane
Saturday, September 16, 1-5pm, hourly backstage tours between 2pm and 4pm, a children’s backstage treasure hunt (ages four to 10) at 2pm and 4pm.
Unveiled by Sir Peter Hall four decades ago, the current building of this popular theatre is a glowing example of 1970s civic architecture.
Must pre-book: call 01708 443333.
Rainham
Rainham Hall, The Broadway
Saturday, September 16, 11am-4pm.
The 18th-century merchant’s home and gardens was opened fully to the public in 2015, following a vast restoration project.
Grade II * listed, Rainham Hall features fine wrought-iron gates, a carved porch, interior panelling and a new cafe, as well as a programme of community exhibitions.
Gidea Park
64 Heath Drive
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 2.30-5.30pm.
Refurbished modernist villa – first built in 1934 – with a modern garden, Grade II listed.
Unsuitable for children under seven.
Havering-atte-Bower
Bower House, Orange Tree Hill
Saturday, September 16, 10am-4pm, with tours every 15 minutes from 11am.
Grade I listed country house, of the year 1729, boasting stunning views of Essex.
Features grounds with a pond, and a staircase mural by Sir James Thornhill, famous for creating the Painted Hall at Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College.
The Round House, Broxhill Road
Sunday, September 17, tours at 10.30am, noon, 2pm and 3.30pm.
Grade II* listed late-Georgian stuccoed villa, attributed to John Plaw, 1792.
Must pre-book: email michaelheap26@googlemail.com.
Noak Hill
Noak Hill Sports Complex, Noak Hill Road
Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 10am-5pm.
Unveiled in January 2017 on the old Broxhill school site, the complex was built by Havering Council and is managed by Everyone Active.
Visit openhouselondon.org.uk for the full list of buildings taking part this year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here