Open House London, the capital's largest architectural festival will take place this year over the weekend of the 18 & 19 September 2010.
It means that buildings normally closed to public will open their doors for two days and you have the opportunity to have a peek inside an architectural gem you’ve always been curious about.
Hundreds of great buildings of all types and periods open up their doors to all, completely for free.
If you’ve never experienced this event before, then you’re in for a real treat. The programme for 2010 will be available from mid-August and you should be able to pick them up for free at your local library. Otherwise, keep an eye on their website where you’ll be able to search through the listings online.
Open House London also works on a local level, getting people involved with events in their local area, visiting spaces normally inaccessible to them, but also through volunteering and skills improvement with one of the biggest volunteering programmes for a single event in London. Last year, 3,000 people volunteered in the event so if you know someone who might want to become a steward or guide for the weekend, get them to contact Open House at: volunteers@open-city.org.uk or phone 020 7383 2131.
Last year there were also family activities at City Hall and Westminster Academy where children could design and make their own visions for London's architecture. Other event activities included photography competitions, pre-event talks and a London Night Hike.
In Westminster, dozens of buildings were open including important government buildings such as the Foreign Office and the Houses of Parliament. No doubt this year there will be just as many exciting and new buildings to visit.
To find out more visit them at: www.londonopenhouse.org
Don’t forget to put 18-19 September in your diaries!