Open House 2009

Places of historical and architectural interest on show in Ealing

In Ealing there are 14 sites of interest opening specially this weekend, they include:

2 Castlebar Road W5 2DP

A reworking of a painted render suburban villa retaining the 'L' shaped perimeter whilst the new volume of the house is set apart from the 'original' villa so that a distinct glazed gap is visible between the two elements. Also contains an art gallery.

Sat - 1pm-5pm. Sun - 1pm-5pm. First come basis, queuing outside if necessary.

Brentham Garden Suburb

Britain's first co-partnership garden suburb, first houses built 1901. Parker and Unwin's plan introduced 1907, mainly Arts and Crafts style; fascinating social history. (Organised by The Brentham Society and Brentham Heritage Society).

Meet: Sat/Sun 10.30am at The Brentham Club, 38 Meadvale Road W5 1NP

Sat - 10.30am-12noon. Sun - 10.30am-12noon. Max 2 hrs duration.

Ealing Abbey

Building began in 1897 and has only recently been completed. Architects include F and E Walters (1897 - the nave), Stanley Kerr Bates (1960 - transepts), and Sir William Whitfield (1997 - choir and apse).

Charlbury Grove W5 2DY

Sun - 1pm-5pm. Tours on the hour.

Ealing Common Walk

Walk across Ealing Common taking in the range of architectural styles. Highlights: the home of a Wimbledon champion, an historic Ealing Studios film director and the death mask of a prime minister.

Meet: Sun 2.30pm at Hanger Lane end of Inglis Road W5 3RN

Ealing Town Hall, Council Chamber and Mayor's Office

Late Victorian ragstone Gothic Town Hall with sumptuous Imperial staircase. Recently restored.

New Broadway W5 2BY

Sat - 11am-4pm. Sun - 11am-3pm. Tour, talk and refreshments with present and past Ealing Mayors, approx every 30mins..Last entry 30 mins before close.

Pitzhanger Manor House

Former country residence designed by Sir John Soane for his own use. Grade I listed building, expressing Soane's idiosyncratic architectural style with its stripped classical detail, radical colour schemes and inventive use of space and light.

Walpole Park, Mattock Lane W5 5EQ

Sat - 11am-5pm. Sun - 11am-5pm. Regular tours.Last entry 4.45pm..

Others closeby:

Hanwell Flight of Locks & Three Bridges W7 2PJ

St Thomas the Apostle Boston Road Hanwell W7 2AD

The Manor House, The Green Southall UB2 4BJ

South Acton Children's Centre Castle Close, off Park Road North W3 8RX

Morris House, Swainson Road W3 7UP

14 South Parade, W4 1JU

Northala Fields, Kensington Road UB5 6UR

Holy Cross Old and New Churches, Oldfield Lane South, Greenford UB6 9JS