This is always excellent , so much to see for free and mostly easily accessible via tube, bus, dlr, rail, boat. Some places, particularly government/Westminster building like the the foreign office, attract large queues. Also the Bank of England, Gherkin etc.
Many of these buildings are not publically accessible normally. Many have staff, volunteers etc stood everywhere, you can ask them quatioms, the vibe is very relaxed and casual. Even if you don't normally like museums , this is a very fun and fascinating weekend. The buildings are extremely varied. So many ornate ones, old and new, offices, private homes, everything.
20 comments
Derek_Horatio_Shatwell
18 Aug 17#1
^^ Some places require you to book. Other places don't. For popular places like 30 St. Mary Axe and Lloyd's of London, if they open at 9am for example. I'd recommend you get there for 6am, no kidding. If you wait until 9am or later to get there, you'll still have to queue, but you'll be wasting time queuing, when you could be visiting other locations.
Sambat
18 Aug 17#2
You can visit lots of buildings on the Rightmove site as well
aym280 to Sambat
19 Aug 17#15
These buildings are chosen because of their importance in ARCHITECTURE! Get a grip.. Go and listen to architects explaining .. Have a look at Lloyds of London .. and some eco buildings...
dcb01 to Sambat
21 Aug 17#19
Love your dry humour Sambat, think it flew over Most people's head :grin: :grin: :grin:
only1
18 Aug 17#3
We explored trading floors of an investment bank, portcullis house (home to most of the MP's offices) and the c4 head quarters. If youre nosey, like architecture or design get amongst it. Expect long queues for the star attractions but it pre easy to see a few things in the day.
M1LFHunter to only1
18 Aug 17#4
Oh man, I bet you had a great time, think of all those historic buildings you could have wasted your time in! Luckily, you went in an office.
mickael28 to only1
18 Aug 17#8
Hey, which was that investment bank? And does one need to book these things or is mainly a matter of queuing to enter? Asking because we've got a 4y old kid and I doubt we could do much queueing :worried:
Goal to mickael28
18 Aug 17#10
I feel ya... I have a 5 year old :worried: Same qs as above
aym280 to Goal
19 Aug 17#16
Some you need to queue. But 5 year old is a good age to start.. as long as he/she hasn't taken a liking to the word NO! LOL!
only1 to mickael28
18 Aug 17#11
Japanese Bank called Nomura - a very interesting building - built within one of the eight lines to St. Paul's so has an odd shape to it. Didn't have to queue ad it wasn't a 'super star'
coventryuser123
18 Aug 17#5
wow an office chair and computer...those crazy office :nerd: workers!
TygerTyger
18 Aug 17#6
The one thing I wanted to see was the St Pancras Chambers and Tower ... but yes, as I expected ... sold out.
Anyone know when the open house event normally starts? - I'd like to get in early next year and bag a slot.
aym280 to TygerTyger
19 Aug 17#17
I say that to myself every year and I'm too late for the Shard, AGAIN ! :grin:
only1
18 Aug 17#7
The rest of the building was pretty cool, retrace over looking the Thames. I prefer modern architecture - everywhere else was sold out.
lesson - get in quick or keep an open mind
Davisonla
18 Aug 17#9
Cool! Office man.
only1
18 Aug 17#12
Cross rail was the big star last year and maybe again.
its a good excuse look at some of the different building you might wander past otherwise.
Port culis house was a queue but only 10/15 mins
benjus
18 Aug 17#13
The Argentine ambassador's residence on Belgrave Square is worth a visit if you're in the area and probably won't have queues.
Pennywise999
18 Aug 17#14
I went a few years ago to the Foreign Office in London and that was good
Belga
20 Aug 17#18
Thanks! We have guests coming that weekend :smile:
mspychala
16 Sep 17#20
Looks like a lot events have their registrations closed.
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Opening post
Many of these buildings are not publically accessible normally. Many have staff, volunteers etc stood everywhere, you can ask them quatioms, the vibe is very relaxed and casual. Even if you don't normally like museums , this is a very fun and fascinating weekend. The buildings are extremely varied. So many ornate ones, old and new, offices, private homes, everything.
20 comments
Some places require you to book. Other places don't.
For popular places like 30 St. Mary Axe and Lloyd's of London, if they open at 9am for example.
I'd recommend you get there for 6am, no kidding.
If you wait until 9am or later to get there, you'll still have to queue, but you'll be wasting time queuing, when you could be visiting other locations.
We explored trading floors of an investment bank, portcullis house (home to most of the MP's offices) and the c4 head quarters.
If youre nosey, like architecture or design get amongst it. Expect long queues for the star attractions but it pre easy to see a few things in the day.
Same qs as above
Japanese Bank called Nomura - a very interesting building - built within one of the eight lines to St. Paul's so has an odd shape to it. Didn't have to queue ad it wasn't a 'super star'
Anyone know when the open house event normally starts? - I'd like to get in early next year and bag a slot.
lesson - get in quick or keep an open mind
its a good excuse look at some of the different building you might wander past otherwise.
Port culis house was a queue but only 10/15 mins