London’s Open House Festival and National Heritage Week offer free access to a host of historic and architectural sites across the city for most of September.
Hundreds of the capital’s historical sites, including buildings that are rarely open to the public, will be free to visit during the 35th Open House Festival from September 12-20.
They include TV and film locations, museums, and more. Popular attractions such as BBC Broadcasting House and the BT Tower are already fully booked!
National Heritage Week from September 11-20 invites the public to explore England’s rich history and culture. It enables people to discover thousands of hidden gems, from stately homes to historic gardens. Many are often closed to the public. People can also join guided tours, attend special events, and celebrate the stories of local heritage.
In Ladywell several standout events are taking place:
Community Day at the Playtower Saturday September 19 12-3.00pm
Learn about the history of the Playtower, share your memories of the building and put forward your ideas for the future. There’ll be an exhibition of photographs of the inside of the building, music, and refreshments
St Mary’s Church Open Days September 12-20
There are plenty of historic features within the church covering many centuries with the grounds of the church allocated to monks by King Alfred in 918.
Over the festival period visitors can enjoy tours in the church, either self-guided (using hand-outs or barcode audio links ) or with a personal tour guide into restricted areas of the church which require supervision. There are trails around the churchyard for both adults and children. On Saturday September 19 there will be an autumn fair in the Therapeutic Garden.
Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries Day of Discovery Sunday September 20
FoBLC will be hosting a day of discovery in the two cemeteries with a drop-in at the chapel to see information displays and publications for sale. Look around the Dissenters’ chapel which is rarely open to the public. From 2.00 – 3.30 there will be a guided tour of the cemeteries.
Grand opening of the Ladywell Physic Garden
The award winning herbalists’ garden, inspired by the history and mystery of the Lady Well, will have its official opening in St Mary’s park. The well, a place of pilgrimage since medieval times, was known for the curative properties of its waters. It is hoped the garden, part funded by Lewisham council, will explain the power and uses of the local plants that once served the community’s health needs. There will be Morris dancing and a book stall.