Date: 20th September, 10am-5pm.
We're once again taking part in the Open House festival, inviting visitors to explore our unique, historic Meeting House and its surroundings - alongside a wide range of other buildings across London. First-time or returning visitors alike, please feel free to drop in and explore the grounds, learn a little more about the building and its history, and enjoy the peace of an original 18th century Meeting House.
We'll be offering both opportunities for self-guided exploration (with displays, activities, and more), as well as a variety of events including author talks, workshops and more from local creatives, historians, and Friends. Visitors of all ages very welcome!
The listings below will be continually updated as we confirm our programme. For more details, including the full festival listings, and to book in for any ticketed events (you do not need to book to drop in and visit), please see Open House's website here.
Facility notes: there are toilets onsite, including an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities. Level access to all ground-floor rooms, though the grounds can be uneven. Please see our find us page for parking and travel details.
What's On
Event | Time & Place | Details |
|---|---|---|
Drop in and explore, with guided and self-guided tours, displays & Quaker artefacts | Whole site 10.00-17.00 Guided tours available on request from 13.30 | Throughout the event - no booking needed, just turn up and explore the unique history of our meeting house, plus enjoy our peaceful & natural grounds. Take a short self-guided or guided tour to introduce you to our site, or explore at your own pace! |
Exhibition by local artists | Small Meeting Room 10.00-17.00 | On display in our smaller meeting room will be pieces by local artists and makers, as well as more images and artworks from the history of the Meeting House. Artists exhibiting include visual art by Julia Langrish, photography by Joanna Vestey, and crafts by Karamjit Chopra and the Chic Boutique. |
Talk from local author and Quaker Bessie White | Meeting Room 10.30-11.30 | An illustrated talk from Bessie White, author of A British Engineer in 19th Century Russia - an account of the life and letters of her great-grandfather, Arthur Toulmin Smith, an expat living in Russia in the years before WW1. Bessie will chart Arthur's experience of this expat community and late Imperial Russia, illustrated with images from summer holidays to a dacha outside of Moscow. No booking required, drop-ins very welcome. |
Workshops | ||
Free easy necklace making workshop, with Fiona from Craft Space Collective | Garden Room 10.00-12.00 | Make your own eclectic autumnal necklace! Fiona has been a jewellery designer and maker for over 30 years, and will show you through making and balancing your own absolutely unique piece. All materials provided - including some recently donated by local artist Monica Boxley. We may also be able to revive any broken beads you bring. Drop in anytime between 10.00 and 12.00. Free, register your interest here. |
Free crochet-your-own-flower workshop, with KC Crochet Studio | Garden Room 12.30 (90 mins) | A free workshop by local maker KC Crochet Studio - using the basic stitches of crochet, make your own flower from a selection of patterns. Calm & creative, beginners very welcome! Booking in advance requested to manage numbers - please reserve your spaces here. |
3x Eco Resin taster workshops, with The Chic Boutique By Clarissa | Garden Room 2.15, 3.15, or 4.15. All classes 45 mins. | Did you know that crafting with eco resin is a sustainable way to create beautiful art pieces? Join Clarissa's workshop to learn more about this eco-friendly crafting method, and get hands-on experience in creating your own unique homeware gifts - all in 45 minutes. Booking in advance required, tickets £10pp. Click here to book. |
