Open House 2019

This year, our Open House personal best was well and truly beaten as we managed to make our way around nine official stops (plus one favourite for lunch (give us any excuse)) in only one day! Our day began in Bank, where I waited a while on a bench outside the Royal Exchange, basking in the relative peace and quiet that comes with a Saturday in the City. 

Part of our success at getting around to so many buildings I think probably came from choosing places within walking distance of each other. In previous years we've schlepped from one side of London to the other, hopping on buses, tubes, and Overground to get around. This year on the other hand, most places were 5 minutes or so from one another, with our longest walk only totalling 21 minutes. 

First stop was 8-10 Moorgate; office buildings belonging to ING insurance. Each meeting room boasted themed art collections, corridors were lined with large, abstract pieces, and there were two spacious balconies where we stood a while to enjoy sunshine and an alternative view of the city.

From here, we made our way to the first Livery Hall of the day; the Draper's Hall. By the end of the day, I'd decided that this stop was possibly my favourite. Each room had an even bigger 'wow' factor than the last. I could have happily lived forever in the incredibly decadent drawing room decorated in pastel shades with mirrors on almost every wall and enough chairs to suit even Goldilocks.

Next on the list, another Livery Hall; this time the Salters' Hall and Garden. Quite the contrast from the Draper's Hall, the Salters' Hall stood alongside Barbican as a Brutalist building with a recent extension offering floor to ceiling views of surrounding buildings. 

Here we were given a guided tour, which took us around the main rooms in the building, into the Archives below, and finished in the gardens which I think I may well return to one day in the summer holidays with a book.

So close by, of course we couldn't resist popping into Barbican if only for a lunch stop. We had been disappointed to discover that no Barbican buildings were open over the Open House weekend, although understood why as we battled our way through crowds of graduates and their families in the café. 

On the other side of Barbican's lake sits St Giles-without-Cripplegate Church. It was open, and I've never understood how to get there, so we had to investigate! Finally found our way up to the elusive walkway that crosses over the water and down to the other side, and made our way across to the Church. Not a lot to see, but it was worth going in if only to say that I finally have!

We then made our way out of Barbican (not without detours) and on to King's College. Happened upon Charterhouse Square where we spied an Open House sign outside The Charterhouse. A talk was just beginning, so we made our way inside. Scared off by our first large crowd of the day (still not even that large, really), we retreated into the Chapel. Upon discovery that this was a museum that is open and free all year round, we all agreed that we'd be back.

Back on track, we soon found The Maughan Library and enjoyed our time spent here, following a very handy set of arrow signs which led us up, down, round and round. Our favourite room was probably the circular Reading Room with its gorgeous windowed ceiling. It did feel a bit strange to be stood around ooh-ing and aah-ing with fellow Open House goers as real-life students were trying to actually do some work on a weekend. 

Also rather enjoyed the cast iron and slate shelves in an original cell, and lots of other original features along the way such as cell doors, and a Victorian ceiling which it transpired had been above our heads as we entered.

What we thought might be our final call of the day was the Royal Courts of Justice. Expecting to be greeted by our first queue of the day, we were actually pleasantly surprised when said queue was relatively short, and moved quickly.

Thoroughly enjoyed Sarah's tour-guide skills as she read her way through two incredibly useless maps with very little information which led us around the ground and first floors. Decided that court houses are not the most pleasant of buildings, especially as we were ushered through the cells below, and in and out of prison vans. Even the courtrooms themselves were rather austere, and everywhere was very dark. An interesting place to visit, all the same.

Two Temple Place was yet another example of 'what do we do here today? Oh, the building's mostly used for corporate events and as a filming location..'. Originally some wealthy banker's personal office (it's alright for some), the staircase was a sight to behold, and there was some absolutely stunning stained glass.

Definitely running out of time by this point, we had just enough to swing by a Roman, but not Roman plunge bath. Now owned by the National Trust, it would be easy to miss as it's down some fairly dingy steps, along an alleyway and underneath some buildings. Usually open by appointment only, on most occasions you'd probably just get to peer through a dusty window. A pleasantly odd way to end our jam-packed day.

The bath itself was not particularly photogenic,  but the tiles were pretty (and definitely not Roman)..

The bath itself was not particularly photogenic, 

but the tiles were pretty (and definitely not Roman)..

Evening drawing in and feet tired from the many steps taken, all that was left was to find a seat at a pub serving stout-y things. Another amazing year.

Open House London 2017

Last weekend was beyond busy! It all started at a gig on Friday night and ended with my being dressed as a chav on Sunday night. Somehow, in between, time was found to make a visit to some of the buildings open for this year's Open House in London.

In the end, it was agreed that we book-ended our visits rather well as the first and last were by far our favourites, but there were definitely some points of interest in between, too.

Saturday morning began nice and early with a Dishoom breakfast. I've been wanting to try one ever since I heard the words naan and bacon in the same phrase, and my goodness I was not disappointed. We sat on the Terrace at the Shoreditch branch where the decor caught our attention almost as much as some of the buildings later on in the day. I went for the sausage and egg naan with bottomless chai and was more than ready for the day.

Our first port of call was Barbican, where a Mews house was open for the day. All huge fans of everything Barbican has to offer, we were incredibly excited to see inside a place of residence and were not disappointed. Many of the original features were still in tact; exposed concrete in the living room, sliding doors concealing cupboards and additional bedrooms, and a wrought iron balustrade along the mezzanine level. What really surprised me about the home was how light it was. There was one floor to ceiling window looking out onto the communal garden through which the light flooded. Bookshelves lined almost every room, and in each we found the perfect balance between original features and contemporary design. Leaving was definitely a struggle.

While at Barbican, we decided to make the most of our visit and wandered through the Centre (obviously via the gift shop) on our way to the next place on our list, Llyods Register.

Now a little later in the day, the length of the queue was slightly concerning but as we were treated to tales of Llyod himself by a Register old timer, time passed pleasantly and we were in. Bigger fans of self-exploration than guided tours, we snuck through to find the main event and were met with a grand meeting room, decorated in the style of William Morris with a nautical theme. 

Our final stop of the day was St Botolph without Bishopsgate, a short walk from the register and right by Aldgate station where my journey would continue. A pleasant church with a welcoming community feel, we stopped a while before going our separate ways. From Aldgate I then headed off to Marylebone station (which I loved, by the way) and on to Aylesbury to warm a house.

I'm always a big fan of London's old & new.

Sunday morning and we were off again. This time, we met at Liverpool Street station and joined the biggest queue yet to see inside a Masonic Temple uncovered in the restoration of the Andaz Hotel. Definitely a wow moment as we stepped inside. Once inside many of the buildings on offer for Open House, it's hard to imagine you're in London, let alone right in the centre. We sat a while on a fancy chair, pondering the goings on that would have once taken place in this building, and admiring yet another fascinating ceiling. Before we knew it, time was up and we were being ushered out and on to the next destination.

Regent Street Cinema is definitely somewhere I'd like to go back and actually view a film. As we arrived we were informed that we'd just missed a tour (fine by us) but that we could make our own way into the auditorium via this door, or that. Make our own way we did. And then spent an awkward few moments wondering whether we'd actually just walked into a screening of something and thus would see nothing in the darkness. Fortunately, the lights came up just at the right moment, signifying that we were safe and that the tour had obviously begun with a preview of the screen. Suddenly it lifted, revealing an original (name of organ) behind which visitors were then invited to play.

As cinema seats go, I'd say they're quite plush.

Not yet having had lunch (and not this time filled up on breakfast), we decided we'd make a move to eat something on our way to our final destination of the weekend, the BT Tower.

Another absolute highlight, we were so mesmerised for our hour-long stay. Upon arrival, having finally found the way in, we were armed with official-looking badges and spent some time looking at old advertising and information on the tower back from when it was first built. Soon our time came to go up to the viewing platform and the lift whizzed us up to the 34th floor.

As we stepped out, my eyes did all sorts of funny things. I'd totally forgotten that the whole platform revolves, but of course the centre (where the lift was) stays still which made for a dizzying experience for a moment or two. After wandering once or twice, we helped ourselves to refreshment and found a seat to rest on as we revolved. For me, there's not much that beats birds-eye views of London. It was pretty special to see it all from a different perspective to those offered by the Shard and Heron Tower. I don't feel like I've really admired London's parks from up high before, and we made a fun game of spotting places visited on past Open House weekends, too.

Another fantastic weekend. Yet again, I'm already full of anticipation for what next year might bring.

Riviera Style & Hidden gems in the City

Today has been a busy day! BBC Weather informed me that it would be rainy so I figured it was the right time for a museum trip. So far this summer, I've been avoiding them like the plague, secure in the knowledge that they will be heaving with tourists and - heaven forbid - children! I figured the Fashion & Textile Museum would be less popular with those categories though, so I braved it.

So keen to beat the crowds, I arrived before the museum even opened. I waited in Southerden (still not entirely sure how it should be pronounced), a quirky patisserie & café opposite. My Earl Grey tea was served in the most unusual pot, more akin to a cafetiere than a teapot and although this amused me, I must say I wasn't impressed by the taste of 'Joe's Tea Co.'; I think coffee must be their thing (it was Bermondsey Street after all).

By the time I'd drunk my tea, it was almost 10 past 11 so at least I didn't look like an eager puppy at the door ready for opening! There were already a few people milling about but not so many that I was put off going in. I paid my £8.80 (I think. The lady made a mistake with the card machine, thought it went through twice so gave me a refund. It's quite possible that I made an inadvertently free visit to the museum today) and received the sweetest ticket (it's the little things) for my entry. 

The exhibition was of Riviera style, right through from the 1920's to the modern day. I'm rubbish at voicing an educated opinion on these things, but there was plenty for the eye to behold. I particularly admired the way the ground floor had been laid out to look like a Lido and I always really love old rail posters which in this instance were of course advertising various seaside resorts both at home and abroad. 

A well curated, incredibly aesthetic exhibition, I really enjoyed my morning's pootle. I was, I admit, a little disappointed at the size of the collection but the gift shop at the end kept me plenty entertained for another quarter of an hour. And hey, if I got free entry then who am I to complain? 

Having expected my museum visit to fill a little more of my day, I wasn't quite sure what to do next. So I took to my To Do list and Google Maps to ascertain how far away I was from various locations. I discovered that the Red Cross Gardens were only a 13 minute walk away (oh yes, I love to be precise) so that's where I went next seeing as BBC Weather seemed to have been mistaken thus far... 

En route to the Red Cross Gardens, I passed another garden which I initially thought was the one I was looking for but was then grateful that it was not. Crossbones Garden looked a little creepy to me. When I eventually reached the gardens I was in search of, I was much happier to find beautiful beds full of colour, a pond teeming with lily pads and plenty of benches to rest on, one near a fountain which is where I decided I'd park myself. 

Major proud moment - I finished my book! Wahooey! Turns out a little rain (ok, BBC Weather was right) doesn't put my British self off sitting in a quiet outdoor space and reading, even when raindrops start to appear on the pages. I'm not scared. I was slightly scared though of the 'community gardener' who was having some issues with a water source for his hose. By some form of a miracle he sprayed it literally either side of me but I came out unscathed. Unlike him, who had clearly used his entire body to block the path of the uncontrollable water as when he emerged from the bushes, he was drenched. One debacle over, he then proceeded to prune low growing plants and when I looked up again I was faced with an entire bottom. I think maybe my finishing my book might have had something to do with my want to look anywhere but up!

When an over-friendly homeless man started inviting unsuspecting office workers to share a drink with him while they ate their lunch, I decided it was probably time to move on. An eventful half an hour to say the least!

Another destination on the To Do list that I knew wasn't far was St Dunstan in the East, a Wren church tower and its ruins by Monument. I can't remember where I first read about the church but it's been on my radar for a while. I walked via a Pret a Manger for my favourite chicken & avocado sandwich and an iced peach green tea as I figured this was going to be the kind of spot one lunches at.

I was right. It was like I'd walked into an outdoor office cafeteria. I was met with the surreal but beautiful sight of suited and booted types sharing benches to enjoy their lunch, the newspaper, a 'book' on their Kindle (or a real one to be fair to some) or just some space away from work. It was busy but quiet as most people were there without a companion. Again, it tried to rain, but in true British form we all continued to sit there regardless. I loved it and I decided I shall return on a Sunday, or better still, a cold, rainy day. It was incredibly photogenic!

With the tube strike this evening looming over me, I knew I wanted to be home before TfL had advised the trains would be getting busy, but it was still only around 2 o'clock when I left St Dunstan in the East so I wasn't done with the day.  

Where do I go when I'm 'in the area'? Well, Barbican of course. I'm not even entirely sure why. I'm just drawn to it. It's definitely one of my favourite places in London, if not my actual favourite! So I walked the distance to Barbican for another cup of tea (loose peppermint this time), a nosey in the gift shop and to pay a visit to the music shop nearby which is almost always closed whenever I go past.

My tea was still hot while I was in there and I felt awfully guilty carrying it in one hand, my other occupied by my handbag and purchases from the Fashion & Textile Museum, so I asked a shop assistant if there was somewhere I could put it (noticing on the side their own cafetiere and coffee cups) while I browsed. He willingly took it from me... then just held it!? I tried to take it back from him, feeling rather too important, but he refused and said he wasn't doing much else. I then continued to feel guilty (probably worse at this point), especially when I didn't end up buying anything. 

Tea retrieved, I wandered on until I came to Lamb's Passage. I couldn't remember what was down there, but I knew it was somewhere I'd read about in my Quiet London book so I thought I'd investigate on my way to the station and home. I was slightly unnerved when the road suddenly started to feel like a dead end but then I rounded a corner and realised that it did go on. A little way ahead I spotted greenery protruding through a fence and knew I must have happened upon a place of interest. 

It was a tiny garden in memory of Basil Hume (a monk who became the Archbishop of Wesminster in the 70's. I had no idea until I got home and looked him up). So I sat with my tea on a bench sheltered by vines, admiring the mix of what can only be described as very 'Zen' plants and feeling a bit sneaky in the knowledge that there were plenty of people dashing past who had no idea of my existence but who I could see and hear all too clearly. Another incredibly surreal spot.

So turns out I managed to cover a lot of ground today and the list is being gradually worked through. Still holding out for actual sunshine so my poor legs can stop looking so out of place but I'm grateful for now to be finding so much to do whatever the weather!