Notable buildings will open from
8th until 21st September
The renowned and ever popular Open House Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month and East Ham is to play a starring role alongside other historical and notable buildings.
The festival is about celebrating London’s architecture, landscapes, communities and neighbourhoods and this year it has an extended two week-long programme, taking place from 8th until 21st September. Newham has over 30 different events – guided walks, workshops, behind the scenes tours and much more.
Neighbourhoods is a new feature this year and East Ham, along with seven others around London, will be centre stage.
Kenny Orellana, an Open House volunteer and East Ham resident, says: “East Ham brings people together. But people here are not afraid to question the status quo, hoping to make the changes we want to see. Being part of the Open House Festival and leaving our ‘doors open’ to other Londoners helps East Ham’s buildings to enrich their present and share their history.”
The East Ham attractions are Applecart Arts, The Boleyn Tavern, Central Park War Memorial and Café, East Ham Customer Service Centre and Library, East Ham Old Town Hall, East House, Red Door Studios and St Mary Magdalene Church and Nature Reserve.
The Royal Docks is also a key attraction, with drop-in visits to the newly relocated City Hall, home to the Mayor of London and the GLA. Other Royal Docks attractions include the opportunity to explore Millennium Mills, which is at the heart of the redevelopment of Silvertown.
The other Newham buildings open are the historic Abbey Mills Pumping Station and Cody Dock.
Newham Council has provided funding to the festival in order to help with the programme in Newham, which encourages visitors to the borough whose spending helps the local economy.