Open House Festival: The finest directed strolls in the Square Mile

As we commemorate the Square Mile with our Toast the City Awards 2026, here are some remarkable City-based Open House Festival trips, consisting of close take a look at a few of our candidates.

Cash, cash, cash

What is the City of London most popular for? Cash, obviously. This Open House trip, of the Square Mile’s monetary past and present will take in icons consisting of the Bank of England and Royal Exchange, in addition to less familiar totems to its industrial heritage.

– Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September

Aldgate strolling trip

Aldgate is a nexus, both geographically, in between the City to the West and Tower Hamlets to the East, and traditionally, linking London’s Roman origins to its middle ages past. This strolling trip will fill you in on the information of among the city’s most interesting locations.

– Monday 14 and Wednesday 16 September

The Barbican & & The City Gardens

Chosen two times for our Toast the City Awards, the Barbican is a spectacular task of architecture and placemaking. This Open House strolling trip will fill you in on a few of its remarkable history and take you through gardens typically scheduled just for locals.

– Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September

The City Churches: St Stephen Walbrook

It might not be the most outwardly incredible however St Stephen Walbrook holds a location as one of the most remarkable of all the lots of, numerous churches in the Square Mile, from its twelve Corinthian columns to its unique altar by Sir Henry Moore.

– Tuesday 15 and Friday 18 September

Carpenters’ Hall

The history of the City is linked with the Livery Companies that assisted to construct it. This Open House drop-in session will permit you to check out among these, with Carpenters’ Hall going back as far as 1429, although restore a number of times considering that.

– Saturday 19 September

Tricks and Symbols of the city

This strolling trip around the Square Mile will respond to lots of concerns you’ve constantly questioned and some that you never ever even believed to ask. Did you understand, for example, that there are no “roadways” in the Square Mile, just streets and lanes squares?

– Monday 14 and Friday 18 September

The Literary City

You may understand that Dickens composed a few of his well-known prose from a window in the Square Mile, however did you understand there are likewise literary associations connecting it with figures varying from Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde? You certainly will after this Open House assisted walk.

– Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September

The City during the night

Readers of City AM will be well familiarized with the Square Mile however whatever modifications during the night, after the lenders have actually left and the travelers have actually gone back to Mayfair. Check out shadowy nooks and crannies that cast this terrific area in an entire brand-new light.

– Tuesday 15 September

Andaz London Liverpool Street

It might be a 5 star hotel today however Andaz London Liverpool Street has an abundant history. It bases on the website of England’s very first psychological medical facility, the Bethlehem Royal, and is home to 2 Masonic Temples, one Egyptian and one Grecian.

– Monday 14 and Friday 18 September

Romans in London stroll

The Roman amphitheatre below Guildhall is among the most remarkable London discoveries of the last 50 years– a worthwhile Toast candidate. There is Roman history all around the City, from the concealed bath home to the City walls, as this Open House strolling trip will reveal.

– Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September

You may understand the churches and gardens, however how au fait are you with the channels of water that circulation underneath the high-rise buildings? Drawing motivation from sources as varied as Dick Whittington, Samuel Pepys and the Roman Empire, this is a trip like no other.

– Tuesday 15 September

St Bartholomew’s Hospital

Another Toast the City candidateSt Bartholomew’s Hospital this year saw the resuming of its sensational North Wing, with its grand staircase including an amazing mural painted by William Hogarth, causing among the finest grand halls in the City.

– Monday 14, Tuesday 15 and Sunday 20 September

• For additional information and to book go to the Open House Festival site here