Open House Festival London; Free Entry to Hundreds of London Settings

Open House Festival is running from 12 – 20 September 2026 that includes an option to visit 10 Downing Street on 13 September. Find out more information below about how you can to apply to visit via a randomly selected ticket ballot.

Open House Festival; 10 Downing Street Ballot, (now open)

Open House Festival runs in September each year, offering FREE entry to hundreds of historic houses, government buildings, museums & private homes. Included within this offer is a chance to visit 10 Downing Street on 13 September 2026. Not normally open to the public, a trip to 10 Downing Street is always going to be a popular option so tickets are allocated via a ballot. Currently open to the public, you can now apply for tickets to visit one of the most well-known buildings in the UK.

We were successful in the ballot a few years back so you can see our thoughts over at 10 Downing Street with Open House Festival.

Open House Festival; 10 Downing Street Ballot, (now open)

Now in its 35th year, Open House Festival will be running from 12 – 20 September 2026. Here’s a chance to explore government buildings, museums & historic houses within London and entrance is FREE of charge.  A number of these settings operate on a first-come-first-served basis, but the more popular require booking in advance with a select few requiring a ticket ballot.

Whilst we’ve previously seen ticket ballots in place BBC Broadcasting House, BT Tower & Canada House, this year there are available via advanced booking, (more details below). Open House Festival has confirmed that 10 Downing Street will be participating again this year where tickets will be allocated via a ballot. Simply log in, create an account & apply to the randomly selected ticket ballot. This year there is just 1 guided tour of 10 Downing Street taking place on 13 September 2026, (11.30am-1pm).

The ballots remain open until 12pm on Monday 17 August where successful applicants will be notified via email.

TO APPLY GO TO Open House Festival – 10 Downing Street Ballot.

Open House Festival; 12-20 September

Running form 12-20 September 2026, the full Open House Festival programme has now been released. We suggest checking out potential settings that might be of interest to you prior to date that bookings can be made. Whilst many setting work on a drop-in basis, the more popular buildings do require pre-booking in advance. Worth noting that bookings for ticketed events will go live at midday on 19 August 2026. You can simply register for a free account beforehand so you’re ready to go the moment booking opens.

Open House Festival; Highlights

With hundreds of settings to explore, worth looking through the full calendar of events, taking account of dates, opening times & any pre-book requirements. Many work on a first-come-first-served basis on the day, although some may require pre-booking. Look out for some of our favourite settings below that will be participating in Open House Festival 2026.

BT Tower

Open House Festival; Highlights

Some of our favourites running during Open House Festival this year include;

• Argentine’s Ambassador’s Residence, (drop in)
• BBC Broadcasting House, (guided tour)
• Canada House Embassy, (guided tour)
• Embassy of the Republic of Poland, (guided tour/talk)
• Drapers Hall, (drop in)
• City Hall, (drop in)
• The British Academy, (drop in/guided tour)
• National Audit Office, (drop in/talk)
• Freud Museum London, (guided tour)
• Senate House, (drop in/guided tour)
• Lincoln’s Inn, (drop in)
• Kenwood House, (drop in/guided tour)
• Royal Hospital Chelsea, Home of the Chelsea Pensioners, (guided tour)
• Inner Temple Gardens, (drop in)
• Lloyds of London, (self-guided tour)
• St Pancras Chambers & Clock Tour, (walking tour)
• BT Tower, (guided tour)

As a guide, many of the settings offering a guided tour will require booking in advance. With bookings opening on 19 August at midday, ensure you have already logged into your account/created a new account prior to this booking release date. Simply register/log in for a free Open House Festival account before selecting the settings you wish to visit. You can book spaces at multiple settings from the one account giving you the opportunity to apply for tickets for various tour times & dates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO Open House Festival 2026 Programme.