The Open House Festival – running from September 13 to 21 – returns to London this year, celebrating the city’s architecture, neighbourhood and communities.
It gives the public the chance to explore and learn about buildings they wouldn’t ordinarily have access to, including dozens across east London.
READ MORE: Five of the oldest pubs in east London dating back centuries
We have picked just 10 of these sites, all offering drop-in activities and tours across the week.
Ten east London buildings to visit as part of the Open House Festival
The Space Theatre, Isle of Dogs
A Grade II-listed converted church, which is now used as a theatre and arts centre dedicated to new writing.
Activities include two drop-in sessions on September 14 and September 18, and performances and screenings from September 13 to September 21.
English National Ballet, Canning Town
The Mulryan Centre for Dance is home to the English National Ballet.
Activities – all on September 20 – include the chance to watch ballet dancers take their morning class, an XR dance performance, insight talks and building tours.
Trinity Buoy Wharf/Container City, Canning Town
Trinity Buoy Wharf is home to London’s only lighthouse(Image: Google Maps)
The former buoy manufacturing site is home to London’s only lighthouse and the world’s only surviving complete Victorian steamship.
Activities include guided tours, exhibitions and the chance to explore the lighthouse, across both weekends of the festival (September 13, 14, 21 and 22).
City Hall, Royal Docks
The Crystal has been the Mayor of London’s HQ since 2022(Image: Google Maps)
The headquarters of the Mayor of London and London Assembly, located in the Royal Docks.
Two tours and exhibitions of the building will be running on September 13 and 14.
The House Mill, Bromley-by-Bow
The House Mill is in Bromley-by-Bow(Image: Google Maps)
The world’s largest tidal mill, which was operational until 1940.
A taster tour will be available to join on September 21, lasting for around one to two hours.
London Aquatics Centre, Stratford
The London 2012 Olympic swimming pool at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with two 50m pools and the Team GB dive squad training area.
Guided tours of the venue’s main areas will be held on September 20 and 21.
Devil’s Botany Distillery, Leyton
The UK’s first absinthe distillery, with a copper pot still.
An open day will be held on September 13, offering visitors the chance to meet the distillery’s founders, explore its history and try free samples.
Walthamstow Wetlands
A nature reserve spanning more than 200 hectares and featuring the Grade II-listed Coppermill Tower.
Two guided walks on September 21 will allow visitors to explore the site’s industrial heritage and climb the steps of the tower.
Dagenham Parish Church
Dagenham St Peter & St Paul Parish Church(Image: Google Maps)
The oldest surviving building in Dagenham, which has been in continuous use for around 800 years.
Guided tours will run throughout the day on September 20.
Bower House, Havering-atte-Bower
A Grade I-listed country house offering views over Essex.
A drop-in session will be held on September 20 from 10am until 4pm.