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.
Key information:
Meet: Bandstand at Horniman Museum and Gardens (Horniman Museum address 100 London Road London SE23 3PQ)
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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 and tours go ahead rain or shine… Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
This tour is published as a Pocket London. You can purchase the printed guide from the Open City Shop.
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Meet the tour guide…
Marianna is an architect, writer, educator and member of feminist design collective Edit. Her project on foraging and rights to land was selected for the main exhibition at the 2019 Oslo Architecture Triennale and her writing has been published in the Architectural Review, New York Review of Architecture and e-flux Architecture. She was a Design Researcher in Residence at the Design Museum in 2022/23. She teaches design studio and architectural history at the London School of Architecture and University for the Creative Arts.
Open City's year-round tours programme is supported by Bloomberg Connects, a free app a free guide to the best art exhibitions and museums.