Explore Old Oak and Park Royal's Culture and Heritage This Weekend
Development Corporation offers Open House London activities for all ages
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation are inviting local residents to join in Open House London by exploring the area's culture and heritage this weekend, 21 and 22 September.
OPDC have teamed up with ARTification to create a range of free activities for all ages centred around three hubs and the Grand Union Canal.
Here's what's on offer:
Old Oak Community and Children's Centre, 76 Braybrook Street, W12 0AP
Saturday 21 September, 11am – 4pm
Drop in family workshops. Big Park Royal: Playful, interactive and BIG art installation that celebrates the neighbourhood – the old and the new.
The Collective (pictured above), Nash House, Old Oak Lane, NW10 6FF
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, 11am – 4pm
Building Blocks: Constructing visual spaces by sharing your ideas about the social and spatial world.
Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, NW10 7UD
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, 11am – 4pm
Bauhaus to Bikers and beyond: The Ace cafe with its unique social and cultural heritage will host activities that reference Bauhaus to Bikers and beyond.
Grand Union Canal Towpath, off Barretts Green Road, NW10 7AE -Canoeing with The Sharks: Learn the basics of canoeing on the beautiful Grand Union Canal.
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September
10am-11am, 11am-11.45am, 1pm – 1.45pm, 2pm – 2.45pm, 3 – 3.45pm
Canoe race - 10am – 11am
Ages 7-16
No experience necessary. Places for each session are limited. Please wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet (no denim). Registration is strongly recommended. You can register on Eventbrite here.
Walking Tours - walks of the area taking place during the weekend.
Departing from The Collective, Nash House, Old Oak Lane, NW10 6FF
- A Taste of Park Royal, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, 10am – 12pm
Discover the culinary delights of Park Royal with local history enthusiast Joanna Dudzinska. This tour will showcase the diverse range of food and drink on offer in London’s largest industrial park, including delights from the Space Shack and Kamil bakery. Please note that this tour will include visits to sites offering alcohol, and thus is not suitable for those under the age of 18 – please notify us of any food allergies email Sid Patrick.
- Carpet & Cakes, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, 2pm – 4pm
Join local history enthusiast Joanna Dudzinska as we explore several of Park Royal’s iconic businesses: this will include a variety of bakeries based in the Acton business Centre, alongside the famous oriental carpet centre on Chandos Rd.
- Ways of Living, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, 2pm – 4pm
Back by popular demand, local resident Maggie Evans will lead a guided tour of the lesser known residential pockets of London’s largest industrial area: this includes The Collective, a co-living space by the Grand Union Canal, and the Wesley Estate, a network of Edwardian streets built by a local stationary entrepreneur.
Departing from the Hanger Lane Station, Hanger Hill, W5 1DL
- Art Deco Stations, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22, 11am – 12.20pm
Join London Blue Badge guide Joy Lavene for an immersive tour of the Art Deco tube stations of Park Royal. Attendees are asked to arrive via the Central line and meet on the platform at Hanger Lane, where they will learn about the history and design of the buildings inspired by famed underground architect Charles Holden; the walk will finish at Park Royal station (for Piccadilly line and other bus routes). Please note that this tour is not suitable for those with mobility constraints.
Departing from the Anglican Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, NW10 5NU
- Kensal Green Cemetery, Saturday 21, 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm
Join the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery for a tour of one of England’s oldest burial grounds. The 72-acre site is inspired by the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and built in a neo classical style, being notable for its array of extravagant tombs and mausoleums. Attendees are asked to meet at the Anglican Chapel in the centre of the cemetery, accessed via the Harrow Rd entrance (adjacent to Kensal Green Station).
Buildings
Visit these buildings free during Open House.
ArtWest Open Studios 17-19 Hythe Road, NW10 6RT
Saturday and Sunday, 1pm - 6pm
An Edwardian light industrial brick building, formerly used for making metal casement windows. Currently it has 16 studios on the first floor with Danny Lane's famous glass sculpture-making studio on the ground floor.
Preedy Glass Stanley Works, 7B Coronation Road, NW10 7PQ
Saturday 8am - 5pm + Managing Director-led factory tour, hourly (8am - 4pm, max 30). Last entry Saturday 4pm
An industrial building originally built for maintaining railways with a modern rear extension now housing a modern glass processing company
The Playhouse at Gypsy Corner 26-29 Victoria Industrial Estate, Victoria Road, W3 6UU
Saturday 10am - 2:30pm, Staff-led talk and demonstration every 90 mins (max 16)
Recreating the themes and magic of theatre, this themed working environment draws inspiration from Frank Matcham's work and our desire to create an imaginative space in which to work and collaborate with our customers and colleagues. Fred Foster 2006.
Old Torpedo Factory St Leonards Road, NW10 6ST
Saturday 9am - 4pm
A prominent local landmark building. Believed to have been a soap factor originally and was linked to its neighbouring properties. Named by the present owners after its role as a torpedo manufacturing site in WWII.
John Lewis and Partners Unit 4 Rainsford Road, NW10 7FW
Saturday 10am - 3pm, Site Manager led tour (max 20, under 12s must be accompanied by an adult). Pre-book only: See Open House website for details
Modern multi-purpose John Lewis Customer Delivery Hub (CDH). Facilitates two-man delivery in London. On site studio.
Ace Cafe London Ace Corner, North Circular Road, NW10 7UD
Saturday 8am - 11pm, last entry 10:15pm. Sunday 8am - 10:30pm, last entry 9:45pm
Established in 1993, Ace Cafe London has become 'the home' for petrolheads and is known as the world's most famous motor cafe, based on a shared passion for the rich traditions of motorcycles, cars and rock 'n' roll.
Wormwood Scrubs, The Chapel of Saint Francis HMP & YOI WormWood Scrubs, Du Cane Road, W12 0AE
Saturday tour at 11:30 (max 20, meet in Koestler building, duration 2.5 hours) Pre book only
Victorian-built Category B adult male prison. Completed by prison labour in 1891, it is the finest prison chapel in England, an architectural jewel which demonstrates the wealth of talent available in prisons.
Park Royal Fire Station Waxlow Road, NW10 7NU
Saturday 11am - 3pm (max 10) + Hourly tour. Last entry 2:30pm.
Built in 1953 to the 'Middlesex' design, Park Royal Fire Station is a two storey fire station with truck bays that can accommodate two fire appliances. It has a four-storey drill tower in the yard and backs onto the Grand Union Canal.
September 17, 2019