education
Lyons Israel Ellis Partnership, 1971
115 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6UW
what3words: cliff.third.potato
The University of Westminster's New Cavendish Street campus, designed by Lyons, Israel and Ellis represents an important moment in the evolution of the architecture of the modern polytechnic. Visitors will explore the campus through guided walks. The programme concludes in the University's Tower Tavern, a former public house - for an evening reception and talk, Pints and the Poly.
Goodge Street
Euston
24, 29, 390, 453, 73, 88
Please meet inside the reception area of 115 New Cavendish Street
The campus is fully accessible. Guided tours involve periods of standing and walking inside the building and around the surrounding streets.
Visitors will be guided through the New Cavendish Street campus, followed by a drinks reception and presentation at the Tower Tavern at 5pm.
Guided tour
11:30–12:00
Campus Tour 11.30 - 12.00; 1.30 - 2.00pm Walk & Talk: New Cavendish Street and Fitzrovia Time: 4.00 - 5.00pm Pints and the Poly 5-8pm
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Guided tour
13:30–14:00
Campus Tour Activity: Guided tour 1.30 - 2.00pm A tour introducing visitors to the history and architecture
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Walking tour
16:00–17:00
• Activity: Guided walk • Time: 4.00 - 5.00pm Explore the changing urban history of Fitzrovia
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Talk
17:00–20:00
Join us in the Tower Tavern, a former public house now reimagined as a Community Hub, for drinks and illustrated talk
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
The University of Westminster's New Cavendish Street campus is one of London's significant post-war educational buildings. Designed by Lyons, Israel and Ellis and opened in 1971 alongside the designation of the Polytechnic of Central London, it represents an important moment in the evolution of higher education and the architecture of the modern polytechnic.
This Open House weekend invites visitors to explore the campus through its architecture, history and contemporary role within Fitzrovia. Guided walks will introduce the building's design, planning and changing relationship with the surrounding neighbourhood, while interpretation boards throughout the campus will reveal stories from its past and present.
The programme concludes in the University's Tower Tavern, a former public house now being reimagined as a Centre for Interdisciplinary Exchange, for an evening reception and talk, Pints and the Poly. Together we will explore the intertwined histories of Westminster, the Polytechnic movement and Fitzrovia, reflecting on how educational institutions continue to shape civic life and public space.
Visitors will be guided through the New Cavendish Street campus with tours, and interpretation boards highlighting the building's architecture, development and historical significance.
Three guided tours will take place on Saturday 19th September: two shorter morning tours focusing on the building, and a longer afternoon Walk & Talk exploring the campus, its architecture and its relationship with Fitzrovia.
From 5.00pm, visitors are invited to the Tower Tavern for an informal drinks reception followed by Pints and the Poly, an illustrated talk exploring the history of the University of Westminster, the wider Polytechnic movement and the changing social and urban history of Fitzrovia.