Marlborough House is a former royal residence, dating back to the early 18th century, but has been home to the Commonwealth Secretariat since 1959

Day one of this year’s Open House London I managed to visit seven different buildings. Some were totally brilliant and featured some stunning interiors, while a couple of others did leave me underwhelmed due to lack of access and the interiors being so far removed from their original design. One particular building, Marlborough House in Pall Mall was absolutely beautiful inside, but you’ll have to take my word for it – or see it yourself – as photography wasn’t allowed. I also recommend visiting The Royal College Of Nursing, which combines a 1920s office and a converted Georgian townhouse with an awesome original staircase. Here’s a gallery of just some of what I saw today.

Marlborough House. Early 18th century former royal residence, originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren and his son of the same name. Now home to Commonwealth Secretariat. Open Saturday 10am-5pm. Pall Mall, SW1Y 5HX. Nearest station: Green Park.

HM Treasury. Grade II-listed government offices, built in 1917 and renovated in 2002. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm. 1 Horse Guards Road, SW1A 2HQ. Nearest station: Westminster.

‘Roman’ Bath. 17th century plunge bath, originally part of the old Somerset House. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm. Strand Lane (access via Surrey Street steps), WC2R 2NA. Nearest station: Temple.

Unilever House. Grade II-listed office building from 1930, renovated in 2007. Open Saturday only 10am-5pm. 100 Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0DY. Nearest station: Blackfriars.

William Booth College. Grade II-listed building design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (architect who designed Battersea Power Station and the red phonebox). Open Saturday 9am-5pm. Champion Park, Camberwell, SE5 8BQ. Nearest station: Denmark Hill.

Royal College Of Nursing. Office combining 1920s purpose-built structure and converted Georgian townhouse. Open Saturday 10am-5pm. 20 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, W1G 0RN. Nearest station: Oxford Circus.

UK Supreme Court at Middlesex Guildhall. Grade II-listed Neo-Gothic building dating back to 1913, featuring exhibition on the Magna Carta. Open Saturday and Sunday 9.30am-4.30pm. Parliament Square, Westminster, SW1P 3BD. Nearest station: Westminster.

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Read more of Metro Girl’s other blog posts on Open House London…

• Visit the ruins of an old Roman bath house with Open House London
• Inside out: A rare chance to step inside the Lloyd’s Building at Open House
• Middle Temple Hall: Legal life, Twelfth Night and a rare survivor of Elizabethan architecture.
• ‘Roman’ bath at The Strand: What the ‘Dickens’ is the history behind this old watering hole?
• Knights, Shakespeare and lawyers: Visit the Medieval Temple Church at Open House London.
• Neo-classicism, masques and an execution site: The history and beauty of Banqueting House.
• Regency London, John Nash and the Third Reich: Visiting The Royal Society’s Carlton House Terrace with Open House.
• Derelict beauty: A visit to Caroline Gardens Chapel with Open House London.
• Open House London 2013: Highlights gallery from Royal Courts of Justice, Foreign Office & City Hall.

For more of Metro Girl’s history blog posts, click here.

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