6 hidden gems in London open to the public this September
The festival, organised by charity Open City, shares it was created to help "make the built environment more open, accessible, and equitable."
This year, the Open House Festival will take place from September 13-21.
A preview of what will be open to the public for the festival has been announced, and we've rounded up six unmissable locations.
If you would like to step inside any of these buildings, you can book a slot when bookings open at midday on Wednesday, August 20.
You can see the full preview for the 2025 Open House Festival here.
6 wonderful hidden gems open to the public this September
Fitzrovia Chapel
Location: Fitzrovia Chapel, Fitzroy Place, 2 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF
Find out more about Fitzrovia Chapel here.
Fitzrovia Chapel is a Grade II listed building that was built as part of the Middlesex Hospital.
The building from the outside is described as "unimposing", but the inside is a "riot of Gothic Revival design" with golden mosaic along all walls.
Designed by Victorian architect, John Loughborough Pearson, the chapel is now a cultural space for "creative health and wellbeing".
Fitzrovia Chapel will have drop-ins available on September 15, 16, 17 and 18 between 11am and 5pm.
The Old Fire Station
Location: 84 Mayton Street, N7 8HA
You can find out more about The Old Fire Station here.
The Old Fire Station is now a community centre run by the Holloway Neighbourhood Group that was saved by a group of locals in the 1970s.
The locals squatted in the building to make sure they could secure it for community use, and 50 years later it's now a pillar of the community.
The building still has many original features and has drop-in dates on September 20 and 21 from 1pm to 4pm.
81 Columbia Road
Location: 81 Columbia Road, E2 7RG
You can find ore more about 81 Columbia Road here.
Overlooking London's famous flower market, 81 Columbia Road is described as offering a "historic charm".
The Victorian terraced house is used as a space for local artists who have a passion for photographs of London architecture.
The studio has drop-ins on September 14, 20 and 21 from 11am to 5pm.
Croydon Town Hall
Location: Katherine Street, Croydon, CR0 1NX
You can find out more about Croydon Town Hall here.
Croydon Town Hall is offering a limited number of guided tours, giving guests the chance to see the building's "unique Victorian-style".
Designed by architect Charles Henman, the town hall opened in 1896 and includes former courtrooms, now the Lifetimes Museum exhibition galleries.
Croydon Town Hall will have three guided tours on September 13 at 10am, 11am and 12pm.
Hoxton Hall
Location: 130 Hoxton Street, N1 6SH
You can find out more about Hoxton Hall here.
Built by architect James Mortimer in 1863, Hoxton Hall has a traditional music hall design, combining "instruction with amusement".
The Grade II listed building has seen many changes through the years, but still continues to reflect "the diversity and voices of local people".
Hoxton Hall will be open for guided tours on September 20 at 11am, 12pm and 2pm.
Anderson WW2 Bomb Shelter
Location: 68 Richborne Terrace, SW8 1AX
You can find out more about Anderson's WW2 Bomb Shelter here.
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This original Anderson Shelter is in the back garden of a four-storey 1850s terraced house and is set in a concreted area covered by earth.
The shelter could accommodate four adults and two children and was built to be very strong to withstand the forces of nearby bombs.
The WW2 Bomb Shelter will be open for two days on September 13 and 14 from 2pm to 5pm.
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