Open House Festival

Battersea Arts Centre

community/cultural

E W Mountford, 1893

Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN

Step inside Battersea Arts Centre, a stunning Grade II* listed building dating back to 1893. Originally built as Battersea Town Hall, it has hosted over a century of remarkable people & unforgettable stories. Today, it’s a home for extraordinary work; from shows by some of the most exciting contemporary performance artists to transformative projects that connect & empower our local community.

Getting there

Tube

Battersea Power Station, Clapham Common

Train

Clapham Junction

Bus

87, 77, 156, 345

Access

Facilities

Accessibility notes

Tours will be step-free except for Grand Hall grid (only accessible by stairs). Drop-in visits: all spaces will have step-free access.

What you can expect

The Grand Hall grid is a cramped space, only accessible via narrow stairs & is 12m above ground but is an optional part of our tours.

Create a free visitor account to book festival tickets

Drop in activities

Sun 14 Sep

11:00–15:30

Drop in: Battersea Arts Centre - open access

Come & visit Battersea Arts Centre at your own pace.

Activities

Sun 14 Sep

Guided tour

11:00–12:00

Battersea Arts Centre Guided Tour

Find out more about the building's iconic history and how its motto, 'Not for me, not for you, but for us', still resonates today.

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Guided tour

12:00–13:00

Battersea Arts Centre Guided Tour

Find out more about the building's iconic history and how its motto, 'Not for me, not for you, but for us', still resonates today.

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

Guided tour

13:00–14:00

Battersea Arts Centre Guided Tour

Find out more about the building's iconic history and how its motto, 'Not for me, not for you, but for us', still resonates today.

How to book

Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.

About

A stunning building with an extraordinary history

Step inside Battersea Arts Centre, a stunning Grade II* listed building dating back to 1893. Originally built as Battersea Town Hall, it has hosted over a century of remarkable people & unforgettable stories. Today, it’s a home for extraordinary artists, young people, and local communities — presenting shows from some of the most exciting contemporary performance artists, while delivering transformative projects that amplify young people’s voices and support local communities.

Come & discover our incredible spaces; from our beautiful foyer mosaics dating back to 1893, to our Grand Hall renovated in 2018.

BAC free guided tours & open access visits

Book a free guided tour for a behind-the-scenes journey through the building; from the Grand Hall grid to the top-floor office spaces with incredible views of the city.

You are warmly welcome to drop by and explore the building at your own pace. Step inside the Grand Hall, peek inside the Council Chamber and immerse yourself in Moments, a sound installation created by BAC Next Gen Producers, sharing stories from the building’s history and notable figures who walked these halls.
When you’re in need of a break, Tom’s Cafe will be open throughout the day, serving hot & cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks.

About BAC

Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) is a cultural organisation championing creative freedom, internationalism, and proactive inclusion to shape a future that is more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive for all.
BAC presents bold, innovative, and socially conscious live performances from extraordinary UK and International artists. Most shows are Relaxed Performances, sold on a Pay What You Can basis to proactively welcome audiences of all backgrounds. BAC also delivers trailblazing Next Gen programmes for young people aged 11-29, and Community projects that serve residents and communities across the borough. Building on a vibrant 50th anniversary celebration in 2024, BAC is proud to join Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture 2025 programme.

Online presence

bac.org.uk

www.instagram.com/batterseaartscentre

www.linkedin.com/company/battersea-arts-centre

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