Open Doors in Thamesmead

Buildings in Thamesmead are set to open their doors to members of the public on 19 & 20 September as part of Open House London.

Taking part this year are three community buildings which are owned by the Peabody Group, offering affordable activities and projects for the benefit of Thamesmead residents.

Stephen Howlett, Chief Executive, Peabody said: “It is marvellous that our buildings in Thamesmead are once again showcasing themselves during Open House London. Sporting Club Thamesmead and The Link Thamesmead are amazing structures which offer so much to the community whilst Tump 53 is an oasis of tranquillity in the middle of a town which boasts a huge variety of wildlife. They really are sights to be seen.”

Victoria Thornton, Founding Director of Open-City comments: “Open House is a unique and vibrant annual event, offering people across London the chance to explore and learn about the capitalʼs architecture. In 2014, 87% of participants said the Open House annual event was the best way see, explore and learn about the capitalʼs architecture. This year weʼre putting together a great programme of open buildings, walks, tours and talks taking in everything from award-winning contemporary homes to major regeneration areas.”

The first is Thamesmead's newest sports and leisure, Sporting Club Thamesmead, which offers cutting edge facilities where you can enjoy sports and fitness activities along with social and community events at affordable prices.

The venue boasts a 3G pitch, grass pitches, an outdoor multi-use games area, tennis courts, an indoor multi-use room and two function rooms. Home to Thamesmead Town FC, Charlton Athletic Women's FC and Seven Acres and Sidcup, staff will be on-hand to show visitors around 9:00am - 9:00pm on both days.

The second venue is The Link Thamesmead, a stunning state-of-the-art community hub made up of nine arches located under the Harrow Manor Way flyover.

As well as tours, the Open House weekend will enable visitors to find out more about the regeneration plans for south Thamesmead, 9:00am - 6:00pm on both days.

The third building to open their doors is Tump 53, a former munitions testing site which has been turned into a stunning nature reserve. Now boasting mixed woodland, a glade and a pond, surrounded by a reed-fringed moat, a vast array creatures can be found including newts, butterflies, spiders and more than 60 bird species.

Learn more about the history and see for yourself the stunning wildlife at this hidden gem in the heart of the town, 10:00am - 4:00pm on both days.

Open House London is an annual festival of architecture and design which gives Londoners and those living further afield, the chance to explore more than 800 buildings across the capital.

Sporting Club Thamesmead, Bayliss Avenue, SE28 0NJ. T: 020 8320 4488

The Link Thamesmead, Belvedere Road (off Harrow Manor Way), SE2 9BS. T: 020 8320 4499

Tump 53, Titmuss Avenue (down the ramp to the right of Hawksmoor Primary School), SE28 8AS. T: 020 8320 4477