There’s a chance to explore some of the borough’s oldest and newest architecture, from the historic Barking Abbey to the newly built Rivergate Centre, as part of an annual capital wide event.

There’s a chance to explore some of the borough’s oldest and newest architecture, from the historic Barking Abbey to the newly built Rivergate Centre, as part of an annual capital wide event.

Open House London, on September 22 and 23, will see more than 750 buildings across London throw open their doors to the public, many holding tours and talks.

There will also be a programme of neighbourhood walks and engineering and landscape tours.

Eighteen buildings and sites in Barking and Dagenham are taking part in the free two day event.

Among them are Eastbury Manor House, Lee Tunnel and Beckton sludge power generator, Closed Loop recycling plant, the newly renovated Victorian Granary building in Barking, the 1930s art deco Dagenham Civic Centre and the Barking Rivergate community centre which officially opened this week.

For more details visit londonopenhouse.org. See page 12 for information on a bus tour around the Becontree Estate, once the largest estate in the world.