Open doors and minds at hundreds of capital events

Get on a Santander Cycle this weekend for Open House London, which sees over 700 buildings opening their doors to the public in a capital-wide celebration of architecture and design (19-20 Sep). Entrance to the work spaces, private residences and civic buildings on the list is free, with a handful of locations—including Number 10 Downing Street and the BT Tower—requiring registration in advance. Dock your Santander Cycle at Storey’s Gate for Durbar Court, a gorgeous Victorian courtyard that was once home to the India Office, or check out 4 Carmarthen Place, an eco house and artist’s studio that was prefabricated in Europe (the closest docking station is at Tyers Gate).

If Open House has sparked your curiosity, make the London Design Festival your next stop this week. Hundreds of events are taking place across London (19-27 September) from major exhibitions like Ten Designers in the West Wing at Somerset House, which features the likes of Jay Osgerby and Tino Schaedler, to design trails, pop-up shops, demonstrations and workshops at seven design disticts. There’s a docking station right outside Somerset House, or dock your Santander Cycle at Exhibition Road for the many installations and exhibits at the V&A, a London Design Festival hub.

Japanophiles, meanwhile, should head to Trafalgar Square this weekend (19 September) for Japan Matsuri, an all-day party marking 150 years of friendship between London and Japan. Go with an appetite for food and fun, and dock your bike at Craven Street, to the north-east of the square. There will be music, dance, martial arts, taiko drumming and a huge karaoke contest, plus plenty of activities to take part in.

Yet another festival taking place this week that’s most easily explored by Santander Cycle is Merge Bankside (18 September-18 October). Among the events on offer is live folk outside Tate Modern on the 19-20 September and 26-27 September (dock at New Globe Walk), two photography exhibitions celebrating the 60th anniversary of TV Times, and Bioluminescent Wishing Well, an immersive interactive installation exploring the history of springs and wells in the area from Bompas and Parr. The nearest docking station is at Bankside Mix but look out for other events in the area as you cycle about – there’s loads going on.