Some of the most interesting buildings will be opening to the public this month as part of a national celebration.

The architecture festival Open House London is returning next weekend – September 19 and 20 – inviting people to explore behind the scenes and understand the value of a well-designed environment.

Victoria Thornton, founding director of Open City, the organisation which helped create the event, said: “Open House is a unique and vibrant annual event.

“This year we’re putting together a great programme of open buildings, walks, tours, and talks taking in everything from award-winning contemporary homes to major regeneration areas”.

The festival – which is run with the support of 700 property owners and 7000 volunteers – allows free entry into a wide range of remarkable buildings.

In Havering, 14 different events will be running, showcasing structures such as Havering Museum, Bower House and Romford Town Hall.

Langston House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, will be offering tours of the neo-Georgian house, a landscaped garden with a lake, orangery and gazebo.

The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, which is an example of 1970s civic architecture, will be giving backstage tours.

The concept was created in the capital 23 years ago by Open City, London’s leading independent architecture education organisation.

The event has become so successful it has been taken on by other cities across the world including New York, Barcelona and Rome.

Visit openhouselondon.org.uk to find out which other buildings in London will be taking part.