Delights to discover in H&F at Open House Festival

The festival returns this month with 19 unique buildings across H&F to explore

Sands End Arts & Community Centre

Running from 13 to 21 September, the festival is a rare opportunity to explore the borough's most remarkable homes, buildings and landscapes.

With over 800 free events, buildings across London will be opening their doors to the public during the week-long celebration.

This year, 19 spots around H&F are taking part so there's plenty to enjoy right here on our doorstep.

Check out our selection of highlights across H&F...

Hammersmith

Hammersmith Quaker Meeting House

Built in 2020, the award-winning Hammersmith Quaker Meeting House in Bradmore Park Road, W6 is a much-loved venue for both worship and community gatherings. H&F Council, with its partner A2Dominion, facilitated and paid for the design and construction of the new Meeting House when the site of its former premises was needed for the Civic Campus regeneration project in nearby King Street.

Fully accessible throughout, the building is a fine example of highly sustainable design, creating a calm and tranquil space.

Drop in to see it for yourself on 13 and 14 September.

William Morris Society – Kelmscott House

Once home to renowned designer William Morris, The William Morris Society at Kelmscott House in Upper Mall, Hammersmith is now a museum dedicated to celebrating and persevering his textile and wallpaper designs.

Drop in on Saturday 13 and 20 September for a demonstration on their original Albion printing press, used by William Morris himself for the Kelmscott Press.

Polish Social and Cultural Association

Built between 1971 and 1974, the Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) is a fine example of brutalist architecture in the heart of Hammersmith. With a café, library, theatre, art gallery and jazz café, it is the largest Polish cultural centre in Europe outside of Poland.

Book a guided tour on Sunday 14 September.

Hebron House

From architects Paul Archer Design, Hebron House in Hebron Road is a carefully crafted response to the challenges of adapting a traditional Victorian home for modern living. The project demonstrates how period properties can be sensitively transformed to meet contemporary family needs while enhancing their original character.

Book a guided tour on Saturday 13 September.

The new Olympia: A sneak peek tour

Head to Olympia London as they open their doors for the first and only time to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek at this ambitious transformation project.

Book a guided tour on 13, 17 or 20 September.

Hammersmith Quaker Meeting House
Image credit
Open House Festival

Fulham

Fulham Palace

Dating from 1495, the beautiful Tudor Fulham Palace in Bishop's Avenue, SW6, is offering a rare chance to discover the ancient moat, a part of the palace grounds normally closed to the public.

Book a guided tour of the moat on Saturday 13 September.

You can also take a self-guided tour of the 13 acres of botanic and walled gardens throughout the whole week of the festival. Just drop in and pick up a guide at the museum's front desk.

Sands End Arts & Community Centre

Designed by Mæ Architects, Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Peterborough Road is a beautiful community centre complete with bright event spaces, dance studio and café.

Built by Hammersmith & Fulham Council at no cost to the taxpayer, it's a modern architectural gem named 2022's best new building in London by the Royal Institute of British Architects and shortlisted for the 2022 Stirling prize.

Book a guided tour of the multi award-winning building with SEACC Director Nina von der Werth on Saturday 13 September.

While you're there, why not check out the H&F Active Wellbeing Festival in South Park.

Shepherds Bush

Strictly Entertainment – Shepherds Bush 1915-2013

Follow in the footsteps of the Beatles, Coldplay, Alfred Hitchcock and countless others and see what remains of the iconic 1960's BBC Television Centre and the Gaumont Film Studios on this walking tour around the White City site, led by an expert guide.

Book a guided tour on Sunday 14 September, 11.30am.

Fulham Palace
Tin House
Image credit
Henning Stummel Architects

Tin House

Designed by Henning Stummel Architects in 2015, this residential house in Devonport Road, W12 makes efficient use of the irregular urban site, made up of interconnecting top-lit pavilions arranged to define a tranquil private courtyard.

Drop in for a guided tour of the unique property on Saturday 13 September.

Central line Treasure Hunt

Think you can take on this treasure hunt to mark the 125th anniversary of the Central Line? Starting at Shepherds Bush station, discover the architectural heritage of the line as you hop between stops until you reach Bank station, gathering clues along the way.

Collect a clue pack at Shepherds Bush station and get hunting on Saturday 20 September.

Culture House

A unique exhibition space, Culture House is a first of its kind cultural venue for Somali artefacts curated by the Somali community. Join them in Uxbridge Road, W12, for a range of activities including Somali craft and heritage, guided tours and a poetry showcase and open mic night.

Drop in on 18, 19 and 20 September. You will need to book a spot for the poetry showcase on Friday 19 September, 6pm.

This is just a sample of some the events on offer in H&F throughout the Open House Festival. Make sure you check out the full programme of events in the borough and see what architectural wonders there are to discover.

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