Doors Open London, London

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One September weekend each year, many sites in London -- both private and public open their doors for residents to see. There is quite a range in the sites available from historic buildings to the top of sky scrapers to museums and parks. Some of the sites are not normally open to the public.

in 2008, Doors Open London had 51 sites of which we visited about eight of them in a day and a half. Not all the sites will be of interest to everyone, but we learned about a church near our son's condo, we got to take pictures from the top of a skyscraper, visited the university president's home, toured a couple of museums, went through two grand old buildings from London's past and saw other sites.

This is the seventh year that London has held a Doors Open, and I am quite sure it will continue for a while yet. Attendance is free; it is sponsored by Ontario Heritage Trust (I am not quite sure who they are).

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Also located on Grand Avenue, is the IDLEWYLD INN which was once one of London's premier private residences, reflecting the wealth of the prosperous Victorians who built it. Their elegant dining room harkens back to a time when Idlewyld Mansion was the centrepiece of London's nineteenth century social life.

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September21,2008
Hans and I drove up to London, Ontario to meet up with Redlats (Fred) and his lovely wife Sandy, who were in town visiting their son. Also joining us was CDNJane (Jane), MissAntarctica2002 (Stephanie) and Hayward68 (Laura). After we had lunch at Crabby Joe's, we all went over to THE WAVERLEY on Grand Avenue, as it was one of the places open for "Doors Open - London".
Built in 1882 and now a Retirement Residence, The Waverley is one of the mansions that made Grand Avenue a showpiece of London during the late nineteenth century and is designated a Heritage Home by the City of London.
Features include an elegant Mansion dining room.