Model steam trains and Open House tours
Published Thursday 10 September 2026
Plan a weekend of miniature steam, hidden-house tours, classic cars and live music, plus free creative tasters.
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Miniature steam railway runs all weekend
Model steam locomotives will run on a purpose-built track at the London Museum of Water and Steam on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. The Model Steam Railway is included with museum admission, with members of the 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers on hand to explain how the trains work.
Open House unlocks Boston Manor's hidden rooms
Boston Manor House joins the Open House Festival from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September. Free bookable tours will open normally inaccessible meeting rooms, the attic and roof views, alongside short tours of the new art exhibition; see the Open House programme for dates and tickets.
Beatles stories return to Chiswick House
Sixty years after The Beatles filmed Paperback Writer at Chiswick House, a guided walk retraces their steps at 2.30pm on Thursday 10 September. Tickets cost £15 for the Beatles walking tour, which starts at Chiswick House Café.
Dates For Your Diary
Sunday 20 September, 10am–2pm
Classics and supercars raise money for care leavers
Duke of London's Classics & Cake meet welcomes families, pedestrians and car fans to the Brentford Riviera. Pedestrian tickets cost £2, motorcycle entry £5 and display-car entry £10, with all ticket proceeds going to local charity Cocoon Care After Care; book Classics & Cake in advance.
Sunday 20 September, 10.30am–3.30pm
Chiswick House opens its new community spaces
The new Learning Hub & Yard opens with a free day of creative activities, artists' studios and free entry to Chiswick House. The annual dog show runs alongside it; reserve a free place for the Open Day Celebration.
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September
September Steam Up brings the big engines to life
The London Museum of Water and Steam plans to run its historic pumping engines for a full steam weekend. Museum admission covers the September Steam Up; check the booking page for opening times and ticket prices.
What's On
Thursday 10 September
Paperback Writer panel tells The Beatles' Chiswick story, 7–8pm. Broadcaster Samira Ahmed chairs a Chiswick Book Festival conversation with Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn and filmmaker Tony Palmer. Doors open at 6pm at Chiswick House Garden Pavilion; tickets cost £17.50 for Paperback Writer.
Saturday 12 September
Bentleys and classic cars meet by the river, 9.30am–1pm. Bentley heritage models, enthusiast-owned cars, coffee and a vinyl DJ fill the roof of Brentford Waterside Car Park. Entry to the Cars + Coffee meet is free but ticketed, and you do not need to bring a Bentley.
Sunday 13 September
Tenor and lute fill Boston Manor House, 7–8pm. Tenor Kieran White and lutenist Daniel Murphy perform seventeenth-century songs from Italy, France and England. Tickets for the intimate Sweet Oblivion recital cost £20 plus a £1.68 booking fee.
Monday 14 September
Monday quiz returns to the Lord Nelson, 7.30–9.30pm. The fortnightly Monday Mastermind Quiz begins a new season at the Lord Nelson in Brentford, with a £50 bar tab for the winners. Gather a team and check the pub's current event page before setting out.
Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September
Free creative and wellbeing classes to try, Times vary. Chiswick House's new Learning Hub & Yard offers free tasters in gong baths, sculpture, sashiko stitching and children's yoga. Places are limited and booking is recommended; choose a session from the creative and wellbeing programme.
Roadworks and Transport
Great West Road lane closure next week: A lane closure is planned on the Great West Road from Monday 14 to Tuesday 15 September for Transport for London work.
Kew Bridge Road lane closure from Wednesday: A lane closure is due on Kew Bridge Road from Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 September for Thames Water work.
Northcroft Road lights finish on Friday: Two-way temporary lights remain planned on Northcroft Road until 5pm on Friday 11 September for electricity work.