For Canadians and Americans who follow architecture, the London Open House Festival 2026 provides a rare chance to explore world‑class sites that may shape design ideas back home.
The biggest architectural celebration of its kind in the world, London's Open House Festival gives the capital's keenest, and nosiest, design fans a chance to snoop around famous landmarks and the city's most spectacular private homes.
Toronto hosts its own Open House events each spring, drawing thousands of local architects, while many U.S. firms send teams to London for inspiration, making this year's program especially relevant across the border. The free tours and talks could spark ideas for upcoming projects in Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Calgary, as well as in U.S. hubs like New York and Chicago.
Last year's edition welcomed 375,000 visitors to 830 open days and events across all 33 London boroughs. This year's event, which runs from September 12 to 20, is shaping up to be even bigger and better.
Ballot and Bookable Visits
The only building in the ballot this year is 10 Downing Street. Create an Open House visitor account online now to enter the ballot for a guided tour from 11.30am to 1pm on September 13. Winners will be contacted shortly after the draw at midday on August 17.
While the majority of events are open to drop‑in visitors, some landmark open days or tours are ticketed because they have a maximum capacity. So it's first‑come, first‑served on Wednesday, August 19 when bookings open.
The iconic Lloyd's of London building in Lime Street in the City is taking part in this year's Open House Festival as part of its own 40th anniversary celebrations. Designed by British architect Lord Rogers and opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, the specialist insurance and reinsurance marketplace was awarded a Grade I listing in 2011.
A tour of Leadenhall Market may not sound the most impressive booking, until you discover that guided walks on September 19 and 20 include an exclusive visit to the Roman ruins beneath. Situated in Gracechurch Street, in the heart of the Square Mile and the centre of what was Roman London, it was originally a market for meat, poultry and game.
In previous years, entry to the BT Tower in Fitzrovia and BBC Broadcasting House in Marylebone was by ballot only, whereas this year the landmarks are available to book. Take a trip to the BT Tower's famous revolving floor (158 m high) at various times on September 19 and 20, or have a guided walking tour of the BBC's Art Deco‑fronted headquarters on September 19.
In another rare chance to see inside a London landmark, the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station is open for tours on September 19 and 20. Built in 1890, it was the last hydraulic power station in London to be decommissioned, in 1977, and has been closed for the past decade.
Private Homes and Hidden Gems
In Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is opening up spaces usually off‑limits to the public. Highlights will include entry to Admiral's House, from 11am to 5pm on September 13, where the Morning Room displays a collection of items relating to Lord Nelson.
Home to English National Ballet, the Mulryan Centre on London City Island offers public behind‑the‑scenes access, dance rehearsals and workshops on September 19.
An early Victorian home in the Barnsbury conservation area, the Barnsbury Flat is a masterclass in compact city living. Drop in on September 12 between 10am and 4.30pm for a tour and talk with the architect and interior designer.
For clever eco ideas, head to Green Lodge, a low‑energy subterranean home on the edge of Putney Heath, on September 12, 13, 18‑20. The family home has been transformed by Stylus Architects, who will be on hand for a chat on open days.