Double decker buses, Land Rovers and a range of guided tours feature in September’s London Open House festival in Barking and Dagenham.
The annual festival of architecture, which runs over the weekend 22-23 September, encourages the public to visit little known venues and areas, and the tours and attractions are free of charge.
In Barking and Dagenham you can take a bus around the regeneration hotspots in the borough, or focus on Barking Town Centre, Barking Riverside or the Becontree estate.
Among the attractions are some of the borough’s historical gems, such as Eastbury Manor House, Barking Abbey and Valence House. But unusual new buildings such as the Children’s House, on Parsloes Avenue and the Ice House Quarter alongside the river Roding will also be open their doors.
Two of the borough’s latest artistic venues will be welcoming visitors. Studio 3 Arts, on the Gascoigne estate, will be showing off their new theatre and arts facilities, while the new home for artists at the White House, on Green Lane on the Becontree estate, will be open and running craft activities to visitors.
Pat Hayes, Managing Director of Be First, the borough’s regeneration agency, which is organising a number of the tours, said: “Open House offers a chance to see parts of the capital that many people have never seen before, so we’re keen to welcome visitors. But Barking and Dagenham is changing so fast that it’s also a really good opportunity for local people to join these free tours to find out what’s going on their doorstep.”
All activities are free, but booking may be required. See here fore details. The Be First double decker bus tours can bee booked here.
