Teddington's architectural gems opens doors to visitors for Open House London weekend

This weekend three of Teddington's architectural gems opened their doors to visitors as part of the Open House London weekend. Yesterday, Teddington People went along to all three – a busy morning!

First stop in the blazing sunshine was The Boat House Design Studio.  

As part of the land that the Tough family owned, the boathouse has now been transformed into a design studio for local businesses.  The studio has a ground floor as an office and an upstairs with more office space with lovely views onto the river, Teddington Lock Bridge, Teddington Lock, The Anglers and Teddington Studios.  Just below is the Flying Cloud Cafe too.  It's an amazing bright, light space to work in and one that has been sympathetically restored by the owners.

The companies that are in the studio are –

MMA Architects 

Outerspace   

Murphy Price Partnership    

Tim Ody Architect

People  

David Partridge Associates Abroriculturalists  

Synergy 

Journeaux Studio  

And, just outside, the Flying Cloud Cafe.

The next stop in the pouring rain was the incredible Grade II listed Normansfield Theatre, in the wing of a historic building which once stood in 40 acres in Teddington and was the home of Dr John Langdon Down.  In 1868 Normansfield went from being a family home to a place where people with learning difficulties could learn and be looked after – instead of being locked up in asylums.  It is now managed by the Down's Syndrome trust and there is the Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability which has opened this year below the theatre now too.  The theatre is often used for filming and for musical and theatrical events too.

The final stop after the rain was Teddington School.  On the sports ground the men's hockey team were playing a match and the school was open for tours.  It is an amazing piece of architecture with the library in the centre.  

It almost makes you wish you were back at school in Teddington again – almost!