We've had an extraordinary 2025 — from record attendance levels at this year's Open House Festival; to providing programmes for 3,628 students across primary, special needs, and secondary schools; to our thriving tours and podcasts — it's been a year of growth and success, with many more exciting projects on the horizon in 2026.

Tours

This year Open City’s tour programme celebrated a range of exciting partnerships and collaborations – all the while witnessing continued audience appreciation. In our most recent survey recording 91% satisfaction with our tours, the feedback from one participant summed the year up perfectly: ‘The programme is brilliant — I sing its praises all the time.’

If you're interested in becoming a guide yourself, there's still time to apply for the 2025 Golden Key Academy cohort.

Open House Festival

The year will be remembered for record Open House attendance – up 35% on the previous year while maintaining a high quality of experience. A total 92% of visitors surveyed reported enhanced wellbeing, 73% of visitors said it gave them joy, 55% of visitors gained a more positive view of London, and one in five visitors reported that the festival strengthened their sense of belonging.

Next year's Open House Festival takes place 12 - 20 September 2026. We're already looking for dance partners — please get in touch sponsorship@open-city.org.uk.

Editorial Projects

The Open City Podcast launched a new monthly show – Deconstructed – which is hosted by Matthew Lloyd Roberts and sees guests explore an enigmatic London building of their choice. We also published a six-part series edited and presented by Owen Hatherley – InterCities – exploring settlements which have experienced major change around the world.

Alongside these our flagship fortnightly podcast – The Brief – featured a raft of high-profile guests reviewing the news including Samira Ahmed, Mike Althorpe, and Anmol Ahuja. Our reels programme meanwhile document a variety of compelling places including the Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery, Tooting’s Totterdown Estate, this year’s British Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and Brixton’s Angell Town Estate.

Our printed tours programme meanwhile involved a raft of new editions including Oxford Street by Sarah Jackson, Speculative Nine Elms by Merlin Fulcher, Leyton and Leytonstone by Ellen Peirson, Jewish Hackney by Charlotte Goodhart, Hybrid Pubs by Alfred Yatlong Leung, Shad Thames by Joe Pundek, and London Barkitecture by Rachel Copel.

Education

3,628 students from 59 schools took part in our programmes for primary, special and secondary schools.

Young City Makers explored the theme of 'play' with pupils and built environment practices across west and east London, and for the first time in Birmingham.

Accelerate welcomed 120 students across four classes; students visited our 5 partner universities as well as sites across London, from Croydon to King's Cross.

We are working towards the launch of the full education pathway in Birmingham in early 2026 — watch this space!