What are your Covid-19 precautions?

Open House this year is a little different. Due to Covid-19 not all of the buildings are able to open up their doors and the ones that are may have additional restrictions in place. Please check each individual building for any requirements they have. We have been communicating with buildings regarding their preparations and have made it clear that only buildings who can open safely and with clear guidelines in place should do so.

We would advise you to stay local, bring a face covering (even if you are going on a walking tour) and your own hand sanitiser. If you are using public transport then please follow the current guidelines from TfL. Entry is always at the owners discretion and please be considerate on your building visits.

Social groups should be a maximum of 6 people, groups of more than 6 people will be turned away for building visits. This includes any groups completing a self-guided tour, workshop or itinerary.

Visitors who have pre-booked tickets should refrain from printing these tickets, please have a digital copy available on your phone unless otherwise stated by the ticket provider.

Are buildings open?

Yes! Building visits will be taking place in locations that have been able to provide a clear plan on how they will ensure the safety of everyone involved. This could involve smaller visitor capacities, requiring face masks, and one-way systems. All buildings will be required to take information of visitors under the UK Government Test and Trace scheme and will have planned their capacity to ensure space can be kept between visiting groups, staff and volunteers.

If you are planning on visiting a building please make sure that you have a face mask on your person, regardless of whether the building’s listing specifies the wearing of them.

Please read all listings carefully, if it states ‘Online only’ then the building will NOT be open to the public and is providing digital content instead.

How can I book?

Many, but not all, buildings will require booking in advance. Booking systems will vary by building and are not managed by the Open House Team. The link to the website or email the building is using to manage bookings will be in their listing.

The only exception are any balloted buildings, the ballots will be open for two weeks after which the winners will be randomly selected. You can register as an individual or as two people together. Only winners will be contacted by email.

What else is there to do?

Lots of things! This year we’ve created hours of content that can be enjoyed wherever you may be:

• Events including walking tours, workshops delivered by experienced guides.

• The Open House Films series will be releasing short documentaries over the weekend.

• Model buildings will be available to order from our online shop

• Lots of self-guided itineraries.

• Special episodes of the Open City Podcast.

The full programme is listed here.

Are you printing a guide?

This year we were not able to print a listings guide as usual due to extending the deadline for buildings to decide if/how they could take part. Instead, all of our listings will be available on our website.

We have instead produced an exciting new publication titled ‘An Alternative Guide to the London Boroughs’ which can be ordered here.

Is everything free?

The vast majority of events and content for Open House London are free, if any events are charged for this is at the discretion of the organiser and the money will go directly to them.

As a charity Open House relies heavily on donations and public support, if you would like to support us to please click here.