The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has cancelled this weekend's opening of Bushy House in Teddington following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Initially, NPL were offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore the history and scientific significance of the Grade II listed former residence.

However, following the Queen's death and the UK's national state of morning, the NPL has opted to cancel the Open House event till further notice.

A statement read: "Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, NPL has taken the decision to postpone our Open House event scheduled for Sunday 18 September. We hope to open at a later date."

Many of Britain's most renowned scientists have worked at NPL and made significant contributions to our scientific achievements, including codebreaker Alan Turing, who lived in Hampton Hill, Louis Essen and Donald Davis. 

It is also famously the birthplace of Turing's ACE computer, the first universal computer of its kind; packet switching, the basis of the internet; and atomic time, the backbone of today's GPS and global communications.

The NPL has been at the forefront of scientific research which helped tackle the COVID pandemic as well developing more effective cancer treatments and advanced and faster communication technologies.

The intended opening of Bushy House by NPL would have formed part of the annual Open House Festival, a fortnight-long programme of tours, free events and publications exploring London's housing, architecture and landscapes.

To discover more on the festival, and the top picks to check out during the two-week programme, click here.