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Top hotels give up their secrets for Open House weekend
Miranda Bryant17.08.09
Two Park Lane hotels are unlocking their secrets to the public.
The Dorchester and Grosvenor House are taking part in this year's Open House London weekend for the first time.
Visitors to Grosvenor House will be able to explore the hotel's Great Room, where the Bafta awards are held, as well as the hotel ballroom and its finest suite - the Park View Suite - which costs £1,500 a night.
The tour of the Dorchester will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the art deco hotel.
"This will be very much a tour of the places the public does not get to see," explained a hotel spokeswoman. "They will be able to go through the kitchens, through the valet where the guests' clothes are drycleaned and mended and through the safe room."
A record number of buildings are to be opened to the public during this year's Open House weekend of 19 and 20 September, which aims to showcase the best of the capital's architecture.
More than 100 venues, from state health centres to private homes, have been added to the programme and a select number of visitors will even have the opportunity to take a tour of the emerging Olympic Park.
The Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden will show off its new purpose-built lower school, including the "Bridge of Aspiration" - the twisted, concertina-shaped footbridge that links the school to the Royal Opera House.
The Jodrell Library at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew will also be opened to the public, as will the new Kentish Town health centre.
Many private houses with an environmental edge have been included in the event. These include 3 Acorns Retro Eco-house in Elephant and Castle - a Victorian townhouse fitted with a series of sustainable features including air source heat pumps, solar panels, an underground water harvesting system, and sheep's-wool insulation.
One of the most sought-after tours over the course of the event will be of the Olympic Park, which will be available to 4,000 visitors.
John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, said: "Visitors will be able to see the progress we are making on site for themselves.
"The external structure of the stadium is now complete, the aquatics centre roof is over halfway finished and the foundations of the velodrome are taking shape."
Little Green Street, Kentish Town
One of London's last-surviving cobbled Georgian streets. Several residents are allowing tours inside their homes.
New Academic Building, London School of Economics, Lincoln's Inn Fields
Soaring central atrium with art installation built within an original Beaux Arts building.
Tower 42, City of London
The Square Mile's tallest skyscraper, standing at 610 feet.
Oxo Tower, South Bank
Visitors can go behind the scenes in this 1928 landmark building on the Thames, as well as climb to the top of the tower for unique views across London.
The Bridge Academy, Hackney
New modern waterside school building described as "architectural origami".
Monsoon Accessorize HQ, North Kensington
Known as the Yellow Building, the 15,000-square metre landmark features a dramatic top-lit atrium.
The Royal Society, Westminster
A Grade I-listed Nash-designed townhouse which was once the German embassy and features magnificent original interiors.
Arts Council England national office, Westminster
Recently the subject of a restoration which won a Royal Institute of British Architects award. The tour includes an exhibition of works from the Arts Council's private art collection.
Whitechapel Gallery
Tours of the gallery, which reopened in April following a major expansion project.
Sadler's Wells Theatre, Islington
A chance to go backstage, tour rehearsal rooms and go on stage.
Reader views (2)
Whether No 10 is on the list or not, shouldn't really bother you, Reuben. If you live in a Rebublic, don't you have your own elected political body to look after you? Please stop whining about the British government incessantly.
I've been going to Open House weekend for a number of years, and it's a fantastic way to see hidden gems of London. Highly recommended, and it's free.
- Jock, London
Why is 10 Downing Street not on this list?
I bet 40,000,000 disgruntled peeps in the UK would just love to explore the Prime Womble's abode.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
