LONDON OPEN CITY FESTIVAL 2026

Discover the Stories Behind London’s Spaces

This annual open house event takes place in mid-September, with walks on 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th September – listed below.

It enables us to offer a variety of different themed tours, timings and start points.

Please see below for our local walks.

All are free of charge.

See www.copen-city.org.uk for details of London wide venues open/tours.

Hidden Isleworth

Isleworth situated on the River Thames was earlier known for river based industries, but grand houses like Gumley built by James Gibbs 1721 remain mingling with an 18thC former public house, 19thC homes and almshouses, and a police station by Frederick Caiger.
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Meet: Outside Isleworth Leisure Centre & Library, Twickenham Road, TW7 7EU
Time: 2.00 p.m.
Buses: 267, H20, H22, 481
Parking: pay and display at Centre and Redlees Park, Worton Road

In 1933 J.B. Priestly said that, being new, the Great West Road did not look English. He saw it as a Little California. Participants will see some of what remains of this unique corridor of Art Deco architecture and hear about some famous lost buildings of the inter-war years.
Date: Sunday 13th September 2026
Meet: Market Place, High Street, Brentford, TW8 8FJ
Time; 2.30 p.m.
Buses: 195, 235, 237, 267, E2, E8
Parking: The Butts, some side streets

Centred around Spring Grove House, home of Sir Joseph Banks, botanist and explorer, the 1850-60s vision was for a grand Victorian suburb its villas designed by John Taylor Jnr inclining to an Italian influence. Today’s wider variety of architecture includes a former college by John Norton & P E Massey and swathe of quirky arts and crafts homes.
Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026
Meet: Forecourt, Isleworth Railway Station, London Road, TW7 4BX
Time: 2.30 p.m.
Buses: 237, 117, 235, H37, E8
Parking: limited in side roads, pay-and-display at station.

The walk starts in the medieval Market Place, proceeds through 17thC development and 18thC housing before exploring the 19/20thC industrial legacy and finishing with 21stC Thames-side regeneration
Date: Thursday 17th September 2026
Meet: Market Place, High Street, Brentford, TW8 8FJ
Time: 2.30 p.m.
Buses: 195, 235, 237, 267, E2, E8
Parking: The Butts, some side streets

Our walks leaflet contains our programme of walks with dates, times and walk start points for each area

If you have any questions about any of our walks, please have a look at our FAQs