Open House Festival

Neighbourhoods

Back to neighbourhoods

Smithfield and Barbican

From the City’s medieval hospital, through a Victorian Gothic marketplace, to a Brutalist post-war landscape, this Neighbourhood contains a multitude of architectural styles and fascinating stories representing centuries of development, including the site of the new London Museum.

Guided tour

4 Bayer House

residence

Part of Golden Lane Estate which was the first public housing to be listed. A maisonette with much of the original detailing and finishes.

Chamberlin Powell & Bon, 1957

Guided tour

Bartholomew Fair

It began with wool and ended in wildness. This tour with a City Guide will uncover 800 years of history and happenings associated with the incident-packed Bartholomew Fair.

Other

Barts Pathology Museum

scientific

Barts Pathology Museum, based at St Bartholomew's Hospital, houses around 5,000 medical specimens on display over 3 mezzanine levels. This Grade II Listed building is in use by students of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at QMUL and as such is very infrequently open to the public. Specimens include the skull of John Bellingham, examples of unusual diseases, and early surgical intervention.

Edward l'Anson, 1978

Walking tour

Crescent House

residence

Grade II* Crescent House, influenced by Corbusier’s Maisons Jaoul was the final part of Golden Lane Estate and forerunner to the Barbican. Inside, our homes are as relevant today as in 1962. Outside, future proofing awaits.

CHAMBERLAIN POWELL + BON, 1962

Talk

Farmers and Fletchers' Hall

livery hall, club

Farmers and Fletchers' Hall is one of the 44 Livery Halls in the City of London. The Hall is the home to both the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, an ancient Livery Company and the Farmers, a modern Livery Company. The Worshipful Company of Fletchers will open it's doors to show members of the public some of the modern work of the Fletchers Livery, it's traditions and heritage.

Drop in

Founders' Hall

livery hall

Founders' Hall boasts a unique blend of neo-Vernacular, Arts and Crafts, and Post-Modern styles. Its exterior features distinctive gabled bays, terracotta panels, and metal grilles, while the interior showcases a ceremonial staircase, ornate parlour, and a livery hall illuminated by impressive œil de bœuf windows, creating an exceptional fusion of architectural elements.

Green Lloyd Architects, 1987

Drop in / Guided tour

Golden Lane Estate Community Centre

community/cultural

Access to and tours around the Golden Lane Estate Community Centre and the estate.

Chamberlin Powell & Bon, 1957

Drop in / Guided tour

London Museum, West Smithfield

museum

Join us to find out more about our incredible journey to create a new museum for London. Enter the ballot for a special tour of the General Market and Poultry Market (currently in construction), or come along to take part in free family-friendly drop-in activities.

Sir Horace Jones, 1883

Guided tour

Maggie's Barts

health

Maggie's Barts opened in December 2017. Maggie's Centres are unique, welcoming and uplifting places with qualified staff on hand to provide free practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer, their families and friends.

Steven Holl, 2016

Interested in history, food and Victorian architecture? This early morning tour (6.30am start) with a City Guide provides a perfect opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of the City of London’s last surviving market at first hand.

Sir Horace Jones, 1868

Guided tour

St Bartholomew's Hospital

health

The Grade I listed North Wing at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London houses two of England’s most important interiors, the Great Hall, and the Hogarth Stair with its large paintings by William Hogarth. The hospital was designed by architect James Gibbs and construction of the North Wing was completed in 1732.

James Gibbs, 1732

Drop in

The Barbican & The City Gardens

public realm/landscape, walk/tour

The Barbican is a residential complex of around 2,000 flats, maisonettes, and houses in the City of London. Built on the site destroyed by The Blitz during the World War II, The Barbican Estate is a fascinating development and an icon of Brutalist architecture. Architects were Chamberlain, Powell and Bon. You will find an oasis in the middle of buildings, with gardens and water features.

Chamberlain Powell and Bon, 1970