Open House – BBC Studio tours

20 Sep 2025

East Court

We are offering people a rare glimpse of the birthplace of television with guided tours of Studios A & B

The BBC first arrived at the Palace in 1935, as the race to broadcast via the latest innovation in entertainment – television – gathered pace. The corporation leased the entire East Wing of the Palace, with former dining rooms transformed into studios, fitted out with cutting-edge technology; Marconi EMI in Studio A and in Studio B, the Baird company, competing and on 02 November 1936 the first regular high-definition broadcast was made – creating television as the world knows it today. 

Meeting Point: East Court

Age recommendation 16+ 

Booking opens on Wednesday 20 August. Create a free visitor account on the Open House Festival website to book tickets. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Due to access issues the tours are not wheelchair, pushchair, or pram accessible. Visitors to wear closed toe footwear (anyone wearing open toe shoes will be refused entry). Various uneven surfaces. Not accessible for those with walking difficulties – several flights of stairs on the tour route.

DateDoors
open
Start
time
End
time
20 Sep 202509:4510:0011:00
20 Sep 202511:1511:3012:30
20 Sep 202512:4513:0014:00
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