Step inside Fairfield Halls for Open House Festival and explore one of Croydon’s most iconic buildings. Discover its history, uncover what happens behind the scenes, learn how productions and events are delivered across the venue, enjoy guided tours, and take part in activities throughout the day.

Robert Atkinson and Partners, 1962

Croydon Council's ambitious 1990s Croydon Clocktower project created a large new central library. Former Town Hall library and other spaces were then repurposed as arts venues which opened in 1995. These tours will outline how this was achieved, with particular emphasis on the David Lean Cinema, and will include a brief talk on the cinema's eventful history.

Tibbalds Monro, 1995

Explore the Museum of Croydon and Croydon Archives: - Join the Curator of the Museum of Croydon and the Borough Archivist of the Croydon Archives on an intimate guided tour of our stored, rarely seen collections. - Explore our current exhibitions with our expert staff, including Grayson Perry's Essex House Tapestries and a brand-new exhibition on Croydon's Architecture

Charles Henman, 1896

Tudor almshouses dating from 1596 and founded by the Archbishop of Canterbury John Whitgift. Chapel and Courtyard with original 16C clock.

Unknown, 1596

The Croydon Urban Room is a space to talk about the past, present and future of the Croydon town centre. Through conversa­tions, stories, exhibitions and events, the Urban Room brings together the views of those who live, work and visit the area to create a shared vision of the future and test new uses live in action.

Croydon Placemaking Team, 2024

Build a towering house of cards inspired by architects Charles and Ray Eames 1950s classic building toy- with cards specially produced from Pollock's vintage Toy Theatre scenery. Create a 3D paper garden to take home Or join architect Ambrose Gillick to build giant lightweight constructions. Suitable for all .

Medieval style church rebuilt by Sir George Gilbert Scott after 1867 fire. Tower & south porch are 15C. Large nave with open timber-work roof leads to chancel dominated by superb stained glass window & rich alabaster reredos.

Mediaeval/Sir George Gilbert Scott, 1870

This Victorian flint faced church is a Commissioner's or Waterloo Church designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and consecrated in 1851. Set in a closed churchyard with areas for wildlife there is a striking grave to a major benefactor. The east window was made by Whitefriars. There is a self guided tour and videos including a wedding peal on our ring of 12 bells. Refreshments are available.

Sir George Gilbert Scott, 1851

St Michael's is a Grade 1 listed building by architect J L Pearson. It was described by the poet John Betjeman as”one of Pearson’s loveliest churches” and Pevsner stated that “The interior is one of Pearson’s finest, and one of the most satisfying of its date anywhere”. There are particularly fine interior furnishings by eminent artists such as Bodley, Temple Moore and Comper.

J Loughborough Pearson, 1881

The South Wing is a design-led Victorian home, location house and creative space in Croydon, shaped by a belief that beauty, atmosphere and thoughtful detail can change how people feel. For Open House, visitors are invited inside a private residential space that explores home as stage, sanctuary and cultural invitation.

0, 1875

21 houses, in 4 terraces, built by Swiss architects Atelier 5 for Wates within the wider Park Hill Estate, Croydon. Living areas on the upper floor are approached through a garden court. Bedrooms downstairs open onto a lower garden. The houses are accessed via walkways and sit within mature communal gardens providing private and open living. Pevsner wrote, 'a group with few equals in Britain'.

Atelier 5, 1970