Essential information
| Type | Events and festivals |
|---|---|
| Location |
In Greenwich
|
| Date and times | Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September | 10.30am-4pm |
| Prices | Free |
A celebration of London’s architecture and heritage, Open House Festival sees buildings across the capital open their doors to the public.
This year, the Queen's House and the National Maritime Museum are taking part in the festivities.
Come and uncover the items and stories within our collection through free gallery tours, talks and creative workshops.
Check out the details below to see what’s on offer, and get ready to embark on a voyage of discovery.
2023 event programme
Queen's House
Saturday 16 September
Gallery Talk: Kehinde Wiley and Ship of Fools
10.45am-11am and 1pm-1.15pm
A world-renowned visual artist, Kehinde Wiley is best known for his paintings that reimagine western art traditions.
This free talk will explore the different aspects of his work, Ship of Fools. This powerful marine painting explores themes including migration and the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.
The work is part of Royal Museums Greenwich’s permanent collection and is on display in the Queen’s House.
Art Workshop
11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Undercroft
Come and join our free drop-in drawing workshop, which explores the techniques used by the marine artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.
Please be aware that this event has a maximum capacity of 12 people.
The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour
12.15pm-1pm and 3.15pm-4pm, The Great Hall
To accompany our exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea, this guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.
Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.
Suitable for ages 12+.
The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.
Gallery Talk: The Solebay Tapestry
2.15pm– 2.45pm, King's Presence Chamber
Discover the story behind this 17th century naval tapestry, designed in the Queen’s House by Willem van de Velde the Elder.
The tapestry was saved for the nation following a crowdfunding campaign in 2022.
Sunday 17 September
Gallery Talk: The Escape of Charles II
10.45am – 11am and 1pm – 1.15pm
After the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II spent the next few weeks avoiding capture to escape the country.
This free talk recounts the dramatic events which led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
Art Workshop
11am– 1pm and 2pm – 4pm, Undercroft
Come and join our free drop-in drawing workshop, which explores images of boats and ships.
Please be aware that this event has a maximum capacity of 12 people.
The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour
12.15pm – 1pm and 3.15pm – 4pm, The Great Hall
To accompany our exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea, this guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.
Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.
Suitable for ages 12+.
The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.
National Maritime Museum
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September
Treasures Tour
12pm-1pm, 2pm-3pm and 3pm-4pm
Explore some of the Museum’s most prized, and lesser-known, objects on this guided tour – free for this weekend.
Meet and greet a Fijian canoe; be chilled by tales of polar exploration; marvel at the oldest boat in our collection and learn about life at sea in the age of Nelson.
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- How to book: Walk up tickets are available from the Information Desk, located by the Parkside Café on the ground floor of the National Maritime Museum. Please be aware that tickets are subject to availability.
- Price: Free for the weekend of 16-17 September.
- Meeting point: Information Desk, located by the Parkside Café.
- Suitability: The tours are suitable for adults and children.
- Audio headsets: You will be provided with headphones and an audio headset, which allow you to clearly hear the guide and adjust the volume if required. The headphones and headset will be collected at the end of the tour.
- Tour size: Each tour has a maximum capacity of 25 people.
- Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the Museum. Step-free access is available via lifts.
