Free Open House tours unlock hidden Haringey spaces

Free tickets are now live for the Open House festival in Haringey, offering the general public access to historical walks, architectural tours and locations that are usually closed to visitors.

Booking opened at 12 midday on Wednesday 19 August. Every event is free, but Haringey Council says many are expected to sell out quickly. The annual programme, organised by Open City, takes place at various locations across the London borough, so visitors must book and check the listing for their chosen event.

History walks put Haringey’s communities in focus

Several tours will be led by Haringey-based participants from Open City’s Golden Key Academy, a course that trains guides to interpret London through its places and stories.

The programme includes a walk through migration history on Green Lanes and a retelling of oral histories drawn from Tottenham’s streets. A separate tour will examine the connections between Alexandra Palace and Britain’s imperial past.

Broadwater Farm Estate is also included, with a walking tour featuring a visit to the Grade II-listed mosaic currently undergoing restoration. In Highgate, a multi-sensory walk will explore the area’s resilience and radical history.

These events approach the borough through the experiences and heritage of its communities, rather than treating its buildings simply as sightseeing stops. The programme comes as Haringey prepares to become London Borough of Culture in 2027.

Architecture, markets and creative spaces to visit

Visitors interested in architecture can explore the distinctive design of Tower Gardens Estate or discover buildings and landscapes at OmVed Gardens.

Florentia Village will combine architectural tours with open studios and a local makers’ market. The programme also features a celebration of the newly reopened Seven Sisters Market, bringing market and creative-space visits into the wider schedule of walks and tours.

The range allows visitors to choose between guided local-history events, estate and building tours, and activities centred on markets or makers. Because the programme is spread across Haringey, each booking should be treated as a separate visit with its own location and arrangements.

How to book the free Haringey events

Tickets must be booked through the published Open House programme linked by Haringey Council. Entry is free, but capacity is limited and the council advises booking early to avoid disappointment.

The council announcement does not give an overall festival start or end date, individual event times, venue addresses, transport guidance or accessibility information. Before booking, readers should open the listing for the specific walk, tour or venue they want to attend and confirm its date, location and any available access details. The full programme and booking route are available through the original Haringey Council notice.

Source: Haringey Council