Discover the extraordinary
public architecture
of Sydenham
Join Open City for a walking tour exploring the fascinating civic architecture of Forest Hill and Sydenham
This walking tour from Forest Hill to Crystal Palace Park — led by architect and researcher Marianna Janowicz — explores the architecture of the area’s most prominent public buildings. Highlights include the Arts and Crafts-style Horniman Museum and Gardens, RCKa’s landmark TNG Youth and Community Centre, and the Brutalist Grade II*-listed Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
A journey through styles and periods, this engaging and accessible tour traces the power and politics behind grand architectural ambitions including Frederick Horniman’s controversial tea trade wealth, the Baths and Washhouses Act 1846 which enabled the construction of Forest Hill Pools, and the London County Council’s ambitious postwar vision for a new Modernist centre of sporting excellence.
While many of these buildings tell similar stories of social reform and education they were all designed and delivered in very different ways with some founded by philanthropists and campaigners and others financed by private wealth or brought to life by public bodies. Clashing agendas and conflicts of opinion are also explored though discussion of the now demolished Sir Basil Spence-designed extension to Sydenham School, community efforts to save the Stirling Prize-nominated concert platform in Crystal Palace Park, and redevelopment plans for the National Sports Centre itself.
Providing a fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city this walking tour is part of a new series responding to the core themes of the Open House festival and wider Open City programme.
Key information:
Meet: Bandstand at Horniman Museum and Gardens (Horniman Museum address 100 London Road London SE23 3PQ)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 5.5 km approx
Tour ends: at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
Access note: fairly steep uphill section towards the start of the tour
Cost: £19.50 / £14.50 / £9.50
Tickets are non refundable. Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
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Meet the tour guide…
Marianna Janowicz is an architect, researcher and member of feminist design collective Edit. Her project about foraging and rights to land was selected for the main exhibition at Oslo Architecture Triennale in 2019 and her writing has been published in ICON, Architectural Review and on e-flux. Marianna is also a research assistant at London Metropolitan University and associate lecturer at Newcastle University. Marianna joined the Open City tours team in June 2021.