Crossness Engines House, in Bexley: grade I-listed Crossness Engines House is a beautifully maintained waste-water pumping station. It was built by Joseph Bazalgette, who was the engineer of London's Victorian sewerage system, and it contains four of the largest beam engines in the world.
The building dates from the late 1800s and was vital in improving the health of Londoners. Prior to 1865 the Thames served in some respects as an open sewer - each drain in London led there and the constant deluge of sewage polluted the water significantly. This in turn was one of the causes of the great cholera epidemics of 1831, 1842 and 1852.
All of the buildings in this gallery are participating in Open House London, a free event which sees 700 distinctive London buildings open their doors to the public for one weekend. This year it takes place from September 17-18.
W Plumb Family Butchers, in Holloway: this Grade II-listed, ornate former Edwardian butcher's shop dates from around 1900. Impressively well preserved and beautifully decorated, it features art nouveau wall tiling, a geometric tiled floor, scrolled meat rails and mahogany cashier's booth with etched and brilliant cut glass. Less readily visible is the shop's supposed ghost. The building's present owner is said to share the space with a spirit that rattles within the shop and emits a distinct 'moo' sound. It seems the ghost in this former butchers is a cow.
National Tennis Centre, Roehampton: the world's first composite demountable air-beam canopy in the sports sector, the canopy at the National Tennis Sports Centre in Roehampton spans 188ft (42m). Stretched smoothly over the centre's clay courts, the cover has a timeless quality but was erected in 2010.
National Tennis Centre, Roehampton: development of the canopy had to adhere to strict local planning policy but looks impressively unrestrained. The design was intended to provide an inspirational and 'clutter-free' playing environment attuned to players' needs. It's also useful for shielding glaring sun or, more commonly, pounding rain.
