Around Town

1. Congress Centre
The Grade II-listed TUC HQ is an excellent example of 1950s architecture and one of the most significant post-war listed buildings in London. Its features include sculptures by Jacob Epstein and Bernard Meadows.
Congress Centre, 23-28 Great Russell St, WC1. Tottenham Court Rd tube. Sat 10am-1pm, regular tours on first-come-first-served basis.

2. Lloyd's of London
This is one of the City’s most celebrated and controversial buildings but a key piece of hi-tech architecture. The tour takes in the ground floor and the eleventh-floor gallery.
Lloyd’s of London, 1 Lime St, EC3. Bank tube/DLR or Monument tube or Liverpool St tube/rail. Sat 10am-5pm, regular tours, last entry 4pm.


3. Theatre and Television Studios, Alexandra Palace
One of the few surviving grand, nineteenth-century pleasure palaces, this hilltop Grade II-listed building has great views. You’ll be able to peek in the theatre as well as the BBC studios from which television was first broadcast in 1936.
Theatre and Television Studios, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22. Wood Green tube then W3. Children under 12 not admitted. Sat 1-5pm, open access.


4. Brent Town Hall
A classic example of a pre-war modern Town Hall. The tour covers the council chamber, public gallery, committee rooms, library and grand hall.
Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley.Wembley Park tube or Wembley Central rail.Sat 10am-5pm, open access.


5. Channel 4 Television
A RIBA award-winner, this features a curving glass-and-steel atrium. The reception, walkway and restaurant will be open to view.
Channel 4 Television, 124 Horseferry Rd, SW1. St James’s Park tube or Victoria tube/rail. Sat 10am-5pm, open access.


6. Queen Mary College, Institute of Cell & Molecular Science
The glass-walled structure of Will Alsop’s new landmark building features Bruce McLean art.
Queen Mary College, Institute of Cell & Molecular Science, 4 Newark St, E1. Whitechapel tube. Sat, Sun 10am-5pm, regular tours.

7. Wigmore Hall
There will be performances during the day by students of the Royal Academy of Music, while executive and artistic director John Gilhoolywill be on hand during the tours to discuss the refurb.
Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St, W1. Bond St tube. Sat 1.30-4.30pm, open access.


8. Foreign Office and India House
The tour of these Grade I-listed Victorian government office buildings takes in the grand staircase, Locarno suite, council chamber and the spectacularly decorated Durban Court.
Foreign Office and India House, King Charles St,SW1. Westminster tube. Sat, Sun 10am-5pm,open access, last entry 4.30pm. Expect queues.


9. Hackney Empire
The best example of Edwardian variety theatre left in London, the Empire benefited from a refurbishment and extension last year. You’ll get access to the stalls, dress circle and foyer.
Hackney Empire, 219 Mare St, E8. Bethnal Green tube or Hackney Central rail. Sat 11am-4pm, open access, last entry 3.30pm.


10. Old Royal Naval College
Designed by Christopher Wren in 1696, this Grade I-listed building was finished by Nicholas Hawksmoor and John Vanbrugh in the mideighteenth century. It now houses the University of Greenwich and Trinity College of Music.
Old Royal Naval College, entry from pier via Cutty Sark Gardens, SE10. Cutty Sark DLR or Greenwich rail or North Greenwich tube. Sat, Sun 10am-5pm, regular tours.

11. Unilever House
A rare opportunity to preview this landmark Grade II-listed building, designed in 1979, as it undergoes a makeover. You’ll get access to the façade construction and other areas being transformed – all via a manned, safe walking route.
Unilever House, New Bridge St, EC4.Blackfriars tube/rail. Sat 1-5pm, Sun 10am-1pm, regular tours.

12. Chapel, Great Ormond Street Hospital
This little known neo-Byzantine interior, opened in 1875, is designed for kids – with tiny pews set amidthe coloured marble and mosaics.
Chapel, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond St ,WC1. Euston tube/rail or Russell Square tube. Sat, Sun 10am-5pm, open access.

13. Bank of England
A Sir John Soane masterpiece, internally remodelled in the 1920s in imperial classic style to great public outrage. Visit he parlours and court room – but beware of the number of steps!
Bank of England. Threadneedle St, EC2. Bank DLR/tube or Liverpool St tube/rail. Sat, Sun 9.30am-4pm, open access, last entry 3.30pm.

14. Great Eastern Hotel
Now fittedout with a swish, contemporary interior, the real draw of this Victorian railway hotel is still the Grade I-listed Greek Masonic Temple: an expensive marble and mahogany room that dates back to 1912.
Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool St, EC2.Liverpool St tube/rail. Sat, Sun 10am-1pm, tours every half-hour.


15. The Odeon, Beckenham
This 1930s cinema is an art deco classic complete with proscenium arch and stained-glass windows alongside the classic mouldings.
The Odeon, High St, Beckenham. Beckenham Junction rail. Sat, Sun 10am-12noon, tour by pre-booking only (020 8658 7114).


16. Croydon Palace
The summer residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries, this Grade I-listed manor house has a medieval hall, chapel and Tudor bedroom.
Croydon Palace, Old Palace Rd, Croydon. Church St tram or East Croydon or West Croydon rail. Sat 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, tours by pre-booking only (020 8256 1891).


17. Bennetts Associate Architects
The offices of these RIBA award winners combine revitalised industrial buildings and an eighteenth-century barn with modern elements.
Bennetts Associates Architects, 1 Rawstorne Place, EC1. Angel tube or Farringdon tube/rail. Sat 11am-5pm, regular tours, last entry 4.30pm.


18. Westminster Hall and Portcullis House
This is one of the finest medieval halls in Europe and boasts a magnificent hammerbeam ceiling, designed by Hugh Herland. The Hall was begun in 1097 and rebuilt by Henry Yevele. Portcullis House contrasts its imposing façade with a generous light-filled internal space. Westminster Hall and Portcullis House, Palace of Westminster, SW1. Westminster tube. Sat, Sun 10am-5pm, open access.


19. Gibbs Building
This is the first chance to visit the new headquarters of the Wellcome Trust. A vast openplan design around a light-filled atrium, the building features spectacular artwork and it won a RIBA award this year.
Gibbs Building, Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Rd, NW1. Euston Square or Warren St tube or Euston or King’s Cross tube/rail. Sat 10am-5pm, open access, last entry 4.45pm.


20. Royal Court Theatre
Howarth Tomkins’ refurb sees the auditorium enclosed in a blood-red drum and the Victorian ironwork exposed. A radical mix of old and new.
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1. Sloane Square tube. Sat 11am, 1pm, tours by pre-booking only (020 7565 5000).

To find an Open House building near you, visit www.openhouse.org.uk