Latest news with #OpenHouseFestival


Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
6 hidden gems in London open to the public this September
The Open House Festival is an annual event that celebrates London's architecture, neighbourhoods, and the people who make them. The festival, organised by charity Open City, shares it was created to help "make the built environment more open, accessible, and equitable." This year, the Open House Festival will take place from September 13-21. A preview of what will be open to the public for the festival has been announced, and we've rounded up six unmissable locations. If you would like to step inside any of these buildings, you can book a slot when bookings open at midday on Wednesday, August 20. You can see the full preview for the 2025 Open House Festival here. 6 wonderful hidden gems open to the public this September Fitzrovia Chapel Location: Fitzrovia Chapel, Fitzroy Place, 2 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF Find out more about Fitzrovia Chapel here. Fitzrovia Chapel is a Grade II listed building that was built as part of the Middlesex Hospital. The building from the outside is described as "unimposing", but the inside is a "riot of Gothic Revival design" with golden mosaic along all walls. Designed by Victorian architect, John Loughborough Pearson, the chapel is now a cultural space for "creative health and wellbeing". Fitzrovia Chapel will have drop-ins available on September 15, 16, 17 and 18 between 11am and 5pm. The Old Fire Station Location: 84 Mayton Street, N7 8HA You can find out more about The Old Fire Station here. The Old Fire Station is now a community centre run by the Holloway Neighbourhood Group that was saved by a group of locals in the 1970s. The locals squatted in the building to make sure they could secure it for community use, and 50 years later it's now a pillar of the community. The building still has many original features and has drop-in dates on September 20 and 21 from 1pm to 4pm. 81 Columbia Road Location: 81 Columbia Road, E2 7RG You can find ore more about 81 Columbia Road here. Overlooking London's famous flower market, 81 Columbia Road is described as offering a "historic charm". The Victorian terraced house is used as a space for local artists who have a passion for photographs of London architecture. The studio has drop-ins on September 14, 20 and 21 from 11am to 5pm. Croydon Town Hall Location: Katherine Street, Croydon, CR0 1NX You can find out more about Croydon Town Hall here. Croydon Town Hall is offering a limited number of guided tours, giving guests the chance to see the building's "unique Victorian-style". Designed by architect Charles Henman, the town hall opened in 1896 and includes former courtrooms, now the Lifetimes Museum exhibition galleries. Croydon Town Hall will have three guided tours on September 13 at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Hoxton Hall Location: 130 Hoxton Street, N1 6SH You can find out more about Hoxton Hall here. Built by architect James Mortimer in 1863, Hoxton Hall has a traditional music hall design, combining "instruction with amusement". The Grade II listed building has seen many changes through the years, but still continues to reflect "the diversity and voices of local people". Hoxton Hall will be open for guided tours on September 20 at 11am, 12pm and 2pm. Anderson WW2 Bomb Shelter Location: 68 Richborne Terrace, SW8 1AX You can find out more about Anderson's WW2 Bomb Shelter here. Recommended Reading This original Anderson Shelter is in the back garden of a four-storey 1850s terraced house and is set in a concreted area covered by earth. The shelter could accommodate four adults and two children and was built to be very strong to withstand the forces of nearby bombs. The WW2 Bomb Shelter will be open for two days on September 13 and 14 from 2pm to 5pm.


Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Snow Patrol frontman to perform home city gig with a difference
Snow Patrol frontman to perform home city gig with a difference The event discussing his new book, The Forest Is The Path, is expected to be one of the star attractions of this summer's Open House Festival in Bangor, Co Down Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody will perform in his home city this summer (Image: Simon Lipman ) Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody will perform one of his first major gigs as an author, in his home town this summer. The event discussing his new book, The Forest Is The Path, is expected to be one of the star attractions of this summer's Open House Festival in Bangor, Co Down. The annual festival includes almost 100 events throughout August, and is expected to attract about 50,000 people to the city, with Bangor Castle Walled Garden and the Court House on the seafront as the focal venues. Lightbody will be talking to Irish author and broadcaster Sinead Gleeson about his book The Forest Is The Path, which was published in March, in what has been billed as a "very different and incredibly personal hometown appearance", on August 26-27. Among the other stars to appear at the Walled Garden are singers Lisa O'Neill and Mary Coughlan, folk duo Ye Vagabonds, and comedians Paddy Raff, Chris Kent and Neil Delamere. Events at the Court House include The Ocelots, twin brothers from Wexford now based in Germany, and a special festival performance by Northern Ireland Opera. Article continues below Among the other author events scheduled, former Labour cabinet member Alan Johnson will talk about his new book, Harold Wilson, Chris Whitaker will be discussing his international best-selling novel All The Colours Of The Dark, and American writer Karen Hao will be talking about her new book Empire Of AI. Open House director Kieran Gilmore said the festival puts a spotlight on Bangor's creative talent. "This year's festival has some of our finest local artists performing in iconic venues throughout the city," he said. Article continues below "From an interview with Gary Lightbody about his new book, to a conversation between Declan Lawn, Bafta-winning writer of Blue Lights, and local author Colin Bateman, to an intimate launch of a new EP by King Cedar, we're bringing around 100 events across a whole range of art forms." The Open House summer season gets under way on Friday July 4, with the annual Pickie to Pier swimming race, although the Seaside Revival Vintage Festival will not take place this year because of development work on the sea front. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday June 6 at


Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Snow Patrol frontman to perform home city gig with a difference
The event discussing his new book, The Forest Is The Path, is expected to be one of the star attractions of this summer's Open House Festival in Bangor, Co Down. The annual festival includes almost 100 events throughout August, and is expected to attract about 50,000 people to the city, with Bangor Castle Walled Garden and the Court House on the seafront as the focal venues. Lightbody will be talking to Irish author and broadcaster Sinead Gleeson about his book The Forest Is The Path, which was published in March, in what has been billed as a 'very different and incredibly personal hometown appearance', on August 26-27. Among the other stars to appear at the Walled Garden are singers Lisa O'Neill and Mary Coughlan, folk duo Ye Vagabonds, and comedians Paddy Raff, Chris Kent and Neil Delamere. Events at the Court House include The Ocelots, twin brothers from Wexford now based in Germany, and a special festival performance by Northern Ireland Opera. Among the other author events scheduled, former Labour cabinet member Alan Johnson will talk about his new book, Harold Wilson, Chris Whitaker will be discussing his international best-selling novel All The Colours Of The Dark, and American writer Karen Hao will be talking about her new book Empire Of AI. Open House director Kieran Gilmore said the festival puts a spotlight on Bangor's creative talent. 'This year's festival has some of our finest local artists performing in iconic venues throughout the city,' he said. 'From an interview with Gary Lightbody about his new book, to a conversation between Declan Lawn, Bafta-winning writer of Blue Lights, and local author Colin Bateman, to an intimate launch of a new EP by King Cedar, we're bringing around 100 events across a whole range of art forms.' The Open House summer season gets under way on Friday July 4, with the annual Pickie to Pier swimming race, although the Seaside Revival Vintage Festival will not take place this year because of development work on the sea front. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday June 6 at


RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Snow Patrol frontman to perform home city gig with a difference
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody will perform one of his first major gigs as an author, in his home town this summer. The event discussing his new book, The Forest Is The Path, is expected to be one of the star attractions of this summer's Open House Festival in Bangor, Co Down. The annual festival includes almost 100 events throughout August and is expected to attract about 50,000 people to the city, with Bangor Castle Walled Garden and the Court House on the seafront as the focal venues. Lightbody will be talking to Irish author and broadcaster Sinéad Gleeson about his book The Forest Is The Path, which was published in March, in what has been billed as a "very different and incredibly personal hometown appearance", on 26 to 27 August. Among the other stars to appear at the Walled Garden are singers Lisa O'Neill and Mary Coughlan, folk duo Ye Vagabonds, and comedians Paddy Raff, Chris Kent and comedian Neil Delamere. Events at the Court House include The Ocelots, twin brothers from Wexford now based in Germany, and a special festival performance by Northern Ireland Opera. Among the other author events scheduled, former UK Labour cabinet member Alan Johnson will talk about his new book, Harold Wilson, Chris Whitaker will be discussing his international best-selling novel All The Colours Of The Dark, and American writer Karen Hao will be talking about her new book Empire Of AI. Open House director Kieran Gilmore said the festival puts a spotlight on Bangor's creative talent. "This year's festival has some of our finest local artists performing in iconic venues throughout the city," he said. "From an interview with Gary Lightbody about his new book, to a conversation between Declan Lawn, Bafta-winning writer of Blue Lights, and local author Colin Bateman, to an intimate launch of a new EP by King Cedar, we're bringing around 100 events across a whole range of art forms." The Open House summer season gets under way on Friday 4 July, with the annual Pickie to Pier swimming race, although the Seaside Revival Vintage Festival will not take place this year because of development work on the sea front. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 6 June here.


The Independent
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Snow Patrol frontman to perform home city gig with a difference
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody will perform one of his first major gigs as an author, in his home town this summer. The event discussing his new book, The Forest Is The Path, is expected to be one of the star attractions of this summer's Open House Festival in Bangor, Co Down. The annual festival includes almost 100 events throughout August, and is expected to attract about 50,000 people to the city, with Bangor Castle Walled Garden and the Court House on the seafront as the focal venues. Lightbody will be talking to Irish author and broadcaster Sinead Gleeson about his book The Forest Is The Path, which was published in March, in what has been billed as a 'very different and incredibly personal hometown appearance', on August 26-27. Among the other stars to appear at the Walled Garden are singers Lisa O'Neill and Mary Coughlan, folk duo Ye Vagabonds, and comedians Paddy Raff, Chris Kent and Neil Delamere. Events at the Court House include The Ocelots, twin brothers from Wexford now based in Germany, and a special festival performance by Northern Ireland Opera. Among the other author events scheduled, former Labour cabinet member Alan Johnson will talk about his new book, Harold Wilson, Chris Whitaker will be discussing his international best-selling novel All The Colours Of The Dark, and American writer Karen Hao will be talking about her new book Empire Of AI. Open House director Kieran Gilmore said the festival puts a spotlight on Bangor's creative talent. 'This year's festival has some of our finest local artists performing in iconic venues throughout the city,' he said. 'From an interview with Gary Lightbody about his new book, to a conversation between Declan Lawn, Bafta-winning writer of Blue Lights, and local author Colin Bateman, to an intimate launch of a new EP by King Cedar, we're bringing around 100 events across a whole range of art forms.' The Open House summer season gets under way on Friday July 4, with the annual Pickie to Pier swimming race, although the Seaside Revival Vintage Festival will not take place this year because of development work on the sea front. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday June 6 at