Marlborough House opens its doors to the public

Marlborough House will open its doors to the public on 19 September 2009 as part of London’s biggest annual architecture festival.

Visitors can view the 300-year-old building - once home to Dukes of Marlborough and members of royalty, and now housing the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation - for free as part of Open House London.

Last year, 2,600 people came to see the building, which houses paintings of the first Duke's battles (Blenheim 1704, Ramillies 1706, Oudenarde 1708, Malplaquet 1709), and was built using red Dutch bricks brought to England as ballast in the troop transports that had carried soldiers for the Duke's army in Holland.

In September 1959, HM Queen Elizabeth II allowed the house to become a Commonwealth centre, and in 1965 it became the home to 300 staff at the Secretariat, which executes plans agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government through technical assistance, advice and policy development, and the Foundation, which helps civil society organisations promote democracy, development and cultural understanding.

It has been the venue for a number of independence negotiations and many Commonwealth conferences, including meetings of Commonwealth Heads of Government.

Visitors can view hundreds of buildings across the capital for free over 19-20 September as part of the Open House event, which is dedicated to showcasing good design and buildings of architectural significance - from eco-homes to a Hindu temple, a yacht club to architects’ studios.

There will be more than 700 architectural activities, including talks and tours, visits and debates and direct access to the teams that design, construct and regenerate London, with a special focus on sustainable designs.

Full details of buildings and events will be published in the 2009 Guide (available from 10 August) and can be ordered online at www.openhouse.org.uk/shop/index.html.

Secretariat Links:

• Visit Marlborough House
• The History of Marlborough House