It may be the middle of August and back to school (or if you’re lucky, work) seems a long way away, but this year’s Open House Festival starts in under a month (running from 13–21 September). The London-wide festival that opens up and celebrates our city’s architecture and neighbourhoods already has over 30 events across the borough of Croydon announced with more to follow in the coming weeks.

What I love about Open House is the diversity on offer. From ancient buildings to modernist architecture, public sites to private homes, there is something on the list to pique everyone’s interest.

There’s some big Croydon landmarks on the list, which if you haven’t visited before I’d definitely recommend, such as Croydon Minster, the Town Hall, Whitgift Almshouses, Shirley Windmill and the wonderfully brutal South Norwood Library. There are some great tours such as behind the scenes at the Museum (of Croydon), and a walking tour with our town’s legendary architectural writer John Grindrod, plus some fab offerings if you’re doing Open House with kids (see below). A special mention has to go to my favourite Croydon church, the modernist St Matthew’s which will be welcoming visitors on the opening Saturday.

However for me my top five Open House picks so far are some of the more quirky entries. (Scroll to the bottom for the 31 Croydon events currently listed).

Hemp House, SE19 3BG – Sat 20 Sep

Now you know I’m a fan of contemporary architecture (especially when environmentally conscious), so Hemp House is right up my street. This playful, low-carbon extension proves that sustainable building can be stylish and family-friendly. Nestled onto a classic 1930s semi, nimtim architects crafted a rear addition in timber and hempcrete – a breathable, CO₂-absorbing material that’s chemical-free and tactile. Inside, exposed hemp walls meet warm timber and generous rooflights, creating a flexible, joyful space for both family life and grown-up dinner parties. A cornflower-blue window frame and a carefully considered natural render tie the old and new together.

Full details here.

Little Mouse Cheese Shop, SE25 6EP – Sat 13 Sep, Sun 14 Sep, Sat 20 Sep, Sun 21 Sep

We love cheese, so we’ll be stepping into South Norwood’s Little Mouse – an Edwardian gem with its original wooden frontage and fascia lovingly restored. This artisan cheesemonger celebrates British cheeses while honouring its history: the building dates to the 1850s, remodelled in the early 1900s. During Open House, you can explore an exhibition detailing the shop’s architectural and social story, including the restoration funded in part through Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone programme. Visitors can see the historic fabric up close and chat with the owner about the research and care behind preserving this charming local treasure.

Full details here.

Fables Creative Workshop, SE25 4TB – Fri 19 Sep

Another South Norwood highlight – hidden in a Norwood Junction industrial yard, Fables Creative Workshop has transformed a 1950s ambulance depot into a hub for imaginative fabrication. The high-ceilinged brick building now houses CNC facilities, a spraying room, and a clean-burning wood furnace funded by an EU green grant, turning leftover timber into energy. Minimalist upcycled birch panelling defines offices and storage, while a mezzanine maximises the space for large-scale projects. Since 2019, Fables has been crafting sets and installations that evolve daily, making the workshop a dynamic playground of creativity, sustainability, and hands-on ingenuity in the heart of South East London.

Full details here.

Clayground Collective: You Build Croydon, CR9 1ET – Sat 20 Sep, Sun 21 Sep

One for families – a hands-on clay experience with Clayground Collective in Queen’s Gardens, where participants can shape their own vision of Croydon in raw clay. From iconic landmarks like No.1 Croydon, Clocktower and Fairfield Halls, to entirely imagined skylines, this playful workshop welcomes all ages and abilities. Over two days, participants will create a collaborative installation celebrating Croydon’s creativity. Clayground Collective, a socially engaged arts organisation, has been bringing clay into public spaces since 2007, combining joy and purpose in projects that connect communities, spark dialogue, and leave lasting memories – and in this case, a city literally built by its people.

Full details here.

9 Wavell Court, CR0 5SX – Sun 21 Sep

And last but not least (although possibly smallest) – Wavell Court, which is a cleverly compact mid-century terrace, where 3.7 metres of frontage somehow hold three full stories of family living. Built in 1975 on the former site of a large hotel, Wavell Court’s 17 homes squeeze every functional element into minimal width, including garages. No. 9 has been lovingly restored by its architect-owners between 2022–2025, reviving the clean lines, thoughtful proportions and understated style of the original design. A quiet triumph of mid-century ingenuity, this private flat showcases how bold ideas and careful craftsmanship can transform an unusually narrow space into a perfectly balanced home. I’ll be there.

Full details here.

The Croydon listings so far are roughly ordered from the North to the South of the borough below – click the titles for more information and full details.

Hemp House, SE19 3BG
Sat 20 Sep
Innovative hempcrete eco-home showcasing sustainable building materials and low-energy design.

All Saints Church, Upper Norwood, SE19 2RX
Sat 20 Sep
Grade II listed Gothic Revival church with striking spire and ornate interior.

St Alban the Martyr, South Norwood Open Day, SE25 6LR
Sat 20 Sep
Neo-Gothic church with fine stained glass and a lively community heritage programme.

Holy Innocents Church, CR0 1ND
Sun 14 Sep, Wed 17 Sep
Red-brick late Victorian church with intricate woodwork and notable stained glass.

South Norwood Library, SE25 6BT
Sat 13 Sep
1960s modernist library building with original features and community spaces.

Little Mouse Cheese Shop, SE25 6EP
Sat 13 Sep, Sun 14 Sep, Sat 20 Sep, Sun 21 Sep
Independent artisan cheese shop celebrating British cheeses and local produce.

Fables Creative Workshop, SE25 4TB
Fri 19 Sep
A dynamic fabrication studio in a former ambulance depot, featuring CNC, upcycled birch interiors, and sustainable wood-burning innovations.

Stanley Arts, SE25 6AB
Sun 14 Sep, Sun 21 Sep
Edwardian arts venue with ornate architecture, hosting exhibitions and performances.

St Mark’s Church, SE25 4XX
Sun 14 Sep, Sun 21 Sep
Historic parish church with notable stained glass and community heritage.

Ashburton Park, CR0 6RX
Sun 14 Sep
Victorian parkland with mature trees, ornamental gardens and community hub.

MHA The Wilderness, CR0 7SG
Sun 21 Sep
Historic garden and woodland with a restored Victorian fernery.

Shirley Windmill, CR0 5DY
Sun 21 Sep
Fully restored 19th-century tower mill with working machinery demonstrations.

Church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Addington, CR0 5AS
Sat 13 Sep
Historic Norman church over 900 years old, housing Jacobean memorials and burial site of five Archbishops of Canterbury.

9 Wavell Court, CR0 5SX
Sun 21 Sep
Private flat with mid-century modern design and original architectural details.

Croydon East Croydon History Walk, CR0 1LF
Sat 13 Sep
Guided walk exploring the area’s rich history, architecture and hidden stories.

John Grindrod: Polaroids of Croydon, CR0 1NX
Sun 21 Sep
Exhibition of vintage Polaroid photographs documenting Croydon’s changing landscape.

Parish Church of St Matthew, CR0 6SR
Sat 13 Sep
Gothic-style Victorian church with stained glass by Charles Eamer Kempe.

St Michael’s Church, CR8 2BN
Sat 13 Sep, Sun 14 Sep
Late Victorian Gothic Revival church with fine interior details.

Croydon Blocks, Rods, Bricks and Fiddly Bits, CR0 1NX
Sat 13 Sep, Sun 14 Sep
Architectural model-making workshop celebrating Croydon’s built environment.

Whitgift Almshouses, CR0 1NX
Sat 20 Sep
Grade I listed 16th-century almshouses with historic chapel and gardens.

Croydon Minster, CR0 1RN
Fri 19 Sep, Sat 20 Sep, Sun 21 Sep
Historic parish church with medieval origins, rebuilt after fire in the 1860s.

Museum of Croydon Behind the Scenes Tour, CR9 1ET
Sat 13 Sep, Thu 18 Sep, Sat 20 Sep
Access to museum archives, object stores and conservation workspaces.

Croydon Town Hall, CR9 1ET
Sat 13 Sep
Grade II listed Edwardian civic building with ornate council chamber.

The Gigglemugs visit Croydon Town Hall, CR9 1ET
Sat 20 Sep
Family-friendly theatre performance in the historic Town Hall.

Clayground Collective: You Build Croydon, CR9 1ET
Sat 20 Sep, Sun 21 Sep
Interactive clay workshop exploring Croydon’s architecture and future.

The Operations Support Centre – London Fire Brigade, CR0 6RD
Thu 18 Sep
Specialist training facility for the London Fire Brigade, rarely open to the public.

Sanderstead Library, CR2 9EA
Sat 13 Sep
1930s library building with original Art Deco features.

All Saints Church, Kenley, CR8 5DU
Sat 13 Sep
Grade II listed Victorian parish church with stained glass and historic organ, set in peaceful woodland.

Red Clover Gardens, Lion Green Road, CR8 2NR
Tue 16 Sep
New community housing development with shared gardens and sustainable design features.

Norman Fisher Observatory, CR6 9PB
Sun 14 Sep
Community-run observatory offering views of the night sky through large telescopes.

Keep an eye on the Open House website and their Instagram for updates.

Images of Whitgift Almshouses, Shirley windmill, and Croydon Town Hall by Glenn Foster – courtesy of Culture Croydon.

Posted by Julia