Havering’s historical gems including Upminster Windmill, Queen’s Theatre and Langtons House, will be opening their doors for residents to have a look behind as part of London Open House.
The event on September 21 and 22 will see 17 buildings opening up to be explored as part of a London project to allow the public to see many historic buildings, go on guided walks and tours for free.
Among them will be the myplace centre, in Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, which opened in June 2012. The £4.7million youth centre is the borough’s first zero carbon building, and one of only a few in the UK.
Also open will be the Thames Chase Forest Centre, which reopened in April 2010. The 17C listed barn is one of the best preserved in the London area.
Have a look around Hylands Primary School, in Granger Way, Hornchurch, which has recently been modernised and has new features like a biomass boiler and sedum roof.
Also on the list is Bower House, in Orange Tree Hill, in Havering-atte-Bower. The Grade I listed mansion house has gardens designed by Charles Bridgman and Sir James Thornhill in 1729.
And for the first time CEME, in March Way, Rainham, will be opening its doors for the annual event. You will be able to explore the flagship project for the Thames Gateway Regeneration.
Take a look behind the scenes of local democracy at Havering Town Hall. The Grade II listed building’s design was the result of an architectural competition won by Collins & Geens and the building boasts unique fittings using Bath stone, bronze and Tasmanian oak.
Other buildings which will be open include: Fairkytes; Havering museum, Langtons House, Rainham Village and Marshes; Royal Liberty School; St Edward the Confessor Church; Upminster Old Chapel; and the Tithe Barn.
Visitors can also enjoy the Gidea Park Garden Suburb Walk from 10.15am on Saturday, September 21.
The two-hour walk will take in Gidea Park exhibition houuses and Hare Street buildings. Meet at the entrance to the Balgores Square car park.
Cllr Andrew Curtin, cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, said: “Havering again has one of the largest number of buildings open to the public for free in outer London for this year’s Open House London.
“As well as our important historic buildings, architecture makes a very important contribution to environmental sustainability, education and the visual appeal of the towns we live in.
“So I’m delighted that Hylands Primary School, CEME in Rainham, and the myplace Centre in Harold Hill, among others, will be open for residents to enjoy thoughtful modern responses to our contemporary social and environmental issues.”
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