Open House Festival unlocks Hillingdon heritage for free

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-19 12:48 3 min read

A rustic thatched roof cottage nestled in a lush green garden setting

Hillingdon residents and visitors will be able to enter rarely accessible historic buildings when the free Open House Festival 2026 runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September. Events take place across Hillingdon, London, with the first scheduled openings beginning at 10am.

The programme spans Hillingdon Museum and Archives Service, Manor Farm, Eastcote House Gardens, Cranford Park, Southlands Arts Centre and the Battle of Britain Bunker. It is open to the general public, although entry arrangements vary: some activities are drop-in, while others may need to be booked in advance.

The nine-day programme offers more than a view from the doorway. Guided tours, workshops and open days will take visitors inside buildings connected with medieval life, Georgian architecture, municipal design and the Second World War.

Six Hillingdon sites and the dates to visit

Hillingdon Museum and Archives Service, Uxbridge: A guided tour of the Civic Centre runs on 12 September from 11am to midday. Visitors can see its architecture and art collection behind the scenes.
Manor Farm, Ruislip: The Tudor Manor House and medieval Great Barn open on 12 and 13 September from 10am to 4pm. On 13 September, the Great Barn itself is open from 1pm to 4pm.
Eastcote House Gardens, Eastcote: The normally out-of-bounds, Grade II-listed 18th-century Dovecote opens on 13 September from 10am to 4pm.
Cranford Park: Visitors can enter the restored stables, walk through the Secret Garden and learn about continuing conservation work in the historic cellars on 13 September from 11am to 3pm.
Southlands Arts Centre, West Drayton: The Queen Anne-era house hosts open days, workshops and guided tours on 12, 13 and 18 to 20 September, from 10am to 4pm.
Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge: The Second World War Generator House and Pillbox open on 12, 13, 19 and 20 September, from 10am to 4pm.

From a medieval barn to wartime defences

The Hillingdon programme brings several periods of local history into one festival. Manor Farm offers access to Tudor and medieval buildings, while the Eastcote Dovecote represents the 18th century. Southlands Arts Centre adds a Queen Anne-era house to the route.

At the Battle of Britain Bunker site, the focus moves to the borough’s Second World War history. The Generator House served the top-secret underground bunker, while the Pillbox forms another surviving part of the site’s wartime defences.

The Civic Centre provides a markedly different stop. The Grade II-listed building is an example of British neo-vernacular municipal architecture, and its guided tour includes the council’s art collection.

Councillor Wayne Bridges, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents Services, said the programme would let people view distinctive buildings from a different perspective, including areas rarely opened to the public.

Check entry arrangements before choosing a visit

Open House Festival is a London-wide celebration of the capital’s built environment, organised by the charity Open City. The 2026 festival is its 35th edition and provides free public access to buildings, heritage sites, workplaces and private homes that are not normally available to visit.

All listed Hillingdon activities are free, but there is no single entry arrangement covering every venue. Transport and accessibility information was not included in the council notice. Visitors should consult Hillingdon Council’s history-events listing before attending to confirm whether their chosen tour, workshop or open day is drop-in or requires advance booking.

Source: Hillingdon Council

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Dates, opening times, locations, cost and entry guidance were matched to Hillingdon Council’s event announcement.

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