The City of London has outlined the details for a weekend of heritage based events around the Square Mile that is looking like a rather good mini Open House Weekend.
Technically, it’s a four day event — running from the 21st-24th June — but the bulk of the goodies are over the weekend.
Over the weekend, several churches are open for tours or a general look around.
In terms of secular buildings being opened, the 600 year old Guildhall and Goldsmiths are open over the whole weekend.
On just the Friday only, Vintners’ Hall will be open, then on the Saturday only, there are several Livery Halls: Cutlers’ Hall, Fishmongers’ Hall and the Plaisterers’ Hall.
On the Saturday, Dr Johnson’s House will be open for free – although its open all the time for a fee anyway. In addition, the recently restored Bishopsgate Institute will be open for a look around and talks.
There are a host of other talks taking place at the Guildhall Library – all seemingly themed around London history.
The Bank of England will also have it’s mid-year opening, which is a much better time to visit that during Open House Weekend, when the queues can be daunting.
There is also a Cheapside Street Fayre (or fair) taking place on the Saturday which sounds like it could be a recreation of the excellent Fair they had a couple of years ago which was manned by the livery companies and promoted their crafts.
On Sunday, there are tours of Mansion House – which is also open for tours on Tuesday lunchtimes, although understandably, that is not convenient for most people.
The whole thing kicks on the Thursday evening with a rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in Guildhall yard.
I think that’s a weekend for me to block book as “busy” – full listings here.
Sounds good! I’ll put the dates in my diary.
Will it be necessary to book some of these events?
Looking at the website I linked to – most of them are turn up on the day – only a couple there seemed to require pre-booking.