Open House Festival

Neighbourhoods

Back to neighbourhoods

Isleworth

Start your visit to this neighbourhood with the 1785 Brentford & Isleworth Quaker Meeting House on Quaker’s Lane. It’s a peaceful haven in its own gardens. Hop on the train or walk towards Isleworth Station where you can join one of two interesting walking tours - Exploring Abundant Almshouses - with the earliest example of these affordable dwellings built as charitable gifts from 1664. Otherwise, you can explore the Spring Grove area, a neighbourhood of grand villas plus quirky arts & crafts properties. In the centre of Isleworth is Isleworth Public Hall a fine example of Victorian architecture with beautiful detailing inside and out. From here you are not far from the river Thames as it curves on its way out of London, and there are a couple of other Open House venues of note. Just over the borough boundary into Richmond; Kilmorey Mausoleum and The Lock House, Richmond Lock & Weir - interesting in its own right, but also the home of Astronaut Kawada, architects. Cross the river at this point and stroll down to Richmond station to get home. From the Meeting House to Richmond Lock is a 30-minute walk.

Guided tour

Exploring Abundant Almshouses

walk/tour

A circular walk exploring almshouses with the earliest dating to 1664 endowed by Sir Thomas Ingram, Chancellor of the Exchequer. 18th and 19th century buildings include 12 for retired brewery workers associated with a church of similar design; another a complex of red diaper pattern brickwork and stone decoration, the smallest of 1880 being for 2 couples contrasting with a large 1976 rebuild.

Walking tour

Exploring Spring Grove Isleworth

walk/tour

Centred on Spring Grove House, once Sir Joseph Banks home, the 1850s vision was for a neighbourhood with grand villas designed by John Taylor Jr.. Today's wider architecture includes a former college by John Norton & P Massey, plus quirky arts & crafts properties.

Various including John Taylor Jnr and John Norton & P E Massey , 1860

Talk

Isleworth Public Hall

civic

Well-executed and colourfully detailed example of Victorian reading and vestry rooms (1863) with added public hall by S. Woodridge 1887. Beautiful details inside and out.

S. Woodbridge, 1863

Drop in / Workshop

Quaker Meeting House - Brentford & Isleworth

religious, cemetery, community/cultural, garden, historical house, library, mixed use

The B&I Meeting House is a Grade II* listed late-Georgian Quaker Meeting House (1785), surrounded by peaceful and green gardens and a Quaker burial ground. Still in active use today, the architecture includes unique examples of old Quaker practices no longer found in more modern Meetings. Consistent renovations and updates have added new rooms, accessible ramps and toilets, and a full kitchen.

Unknown, 1785