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Tuesday 10:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 10:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 10:30am - 4:45pm Friday 10:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm

The Charterhouse

Name: The Charterhouse
Address: the Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M6AN, GB
Telephone: 0203 8188873

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The Charterhouse

We are an almshouse, home to a vibrant community, as well as a heritage site dating back to 1348. We look forward to welcoming you.

The Charterhouse has been living the nation’s history since 1348. Founded as a medieval monastery of the Carthusian order, the site became a Tudor mansion, a boys’ school, and an almshouse, which it remains to this day. We provide accommodation for over 40 individuals known as ‘Brothers’ who form part of the community alongside staff, private and commercial tenants, and residents of the Infirmary.

Our historic and peaceful 7 acre site is an inspiring location for filming and private events. In late January 2017 we opened our doors to the public for the first time in our 660 year history as part of the Revealing the Charterhouse project. Come and discover our fascinating story revealed through our free museum and tour programme!

01/09/2026

From the Charterhouse to Rhode Island!

Discover the fascinating story of Roger Williams in our upcoming lecture by The Rev’d Professor Maggi Dawn. He didn't just lay the foundations for what would become the state of Rhode Island; his radical ideas on separating church and state helped shape modern civic life on both sides of the Atlantic.

Join us as we trace his incredible journey and lasting legacy.

5:45pm: Doors open
6:00pm – 7:00pm: Lecture in the Great Chamber
7:00pm – 8:00pm: Drinks reception

Head to our website for tickets.

31/08/2026

We had a VIP (Very Important Pollinator) visitor in the gardens!

Justin from our Horticulture team took this fantastic photo of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth visiting the Red Valerian in Preacher's Court.

They are definitely one of the most charismatic pollinators and it's always exciting to see them. We shouldn't pick favourites, but if we did... this moth would be a strong contender.

28/08/2026

Tucked away by our main Visitor Centre entrance, the Chapel Court Gate bed in Charterhouse Square holds a bit of a surprise.

Thanks to the shelter provided by our Tudor mansion and medieval walls, the Horticulture team has been able to take advantage of a unique microclimate here in Clerkenwell. They designed a new planting scheme that is unexpected and rather dramatic, bringing a touch of the tropics to a London garden square.

Next time you are passing by, keep an eye out for the oversized leaves of the South American Tree Daisy, the bamboo-like stems of the Giant Reed standing out beautifully against the historic walls or the stunning in the photo.

If you'd like to know what else is growing in this sheltered spot, you can find the complete plant list on the Gardens page of our website (link in first comment).

27/08/2026

Supporting daily life at the Charterhouse

Did you know that we have over 140 distinctive oak-framed chairs, each featuring Sutton's coat of arms embossed on distinctive red leather upholstery?

Commissioned by architects Seely & Paget in the 1950s, they are in daily use today, especially by our residents when they are having their meals in the Great Hall. This means careful, ongoing conservation to keep them safe, looking their best and to preserve them for future generations.

Recently, we realised the traditional armless design was becoming less practical for some of our older residents. To offer a little extra comfort, we commissioned a small batch of new chairs that faithfully match the originals, but with one key addition - arms for extra support.

Bringing these to life was a true collaboration. Master furniture makers, leatherworkers, and specialist button makers worked to recreate every detail, from the perfect shade of scarlet to the exact size of the upholstered buttons.

and accessibility, working hand in hand.

24/08/2026

Our Summer Open Garden Evenings have officially come to a close. Thank you to everyone who joined us this season. We hope you enjoyed your time in the gardens as much as we enjoyed hosting you.

Massive thanks to our residents and volunteers, to Grimshaw for the beautiful music, and to our brilliant Horticulture team.

There is still one final Summer Garden Tour on Tuesday 25 August at 1pm! It’s been an exceptionally hot summer, which has definitely left its mark, but there is still so much to enjoy before our Autumn tours kick off in September.

For tickets and info follow the link in the first comment or head to our website.

Photo Minna Rossi Photography

21/08/2026

The Norfolk Cloister is one of the most surprising and atmospheric spaces at the Charterhouse.

Technically a garden gallery, it was built in 1571 by the Duke of Norfolk during his ownership of the estate, known then as Howard House. Incorporating the remains of the medieval cloister as the left wall, he added a beautiful vaulted brick walkway to create an elegant, covered promenade through his gardens leading to a tennis court he had built at the far end.

The schoolboys who later used the cloister for playing football left their mark in the form of graffiti on the wooden door at the far end.

The space continues to reveal its layered history in unexpected ways. One of our residents shared with us that if you walk down the cloister at night, you might just cross paths with two ghostly monks - one tall and thin, the other shorter and more stocky...

Photo ©️ Nick Guttridge

18/08/2026

Following on from our previous post, some contemporary highlights associated with our garden Square include:

The Square was re-designed by renowned British Landscape Architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan in 2017 for its re-opening to the public (including the distinctive benches).

Scenes from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018) were filmed here.

The Art Deco architecture of Florin Court was the on-screen home of Hercule Poirot in the classic 1980s adaptation Agatha Christie's Poirot starring David Suchet. (Whitehaven Mansions for the Poirot fans!)

If you're walking through after dark, you can enjoy the gentle, atmospheric glow of both original and new gaslighting.

As with much of London, there is more to Charterhouse Square than meets the eye!

17/08/2026

Whether you’re walking through with your morning coffee, taking a quiet lunch break, or just looking for a spot to sit for a while, Charterhouse Square is a rather special place to pause.

While it is a peaceful spot to sit today, this distinctive pentagonal green space and its surroundings have a few stories to tell. In fact, too many for just one post, so here are a few historic highlights:

It was used as an emergency cemetery during the Black Death in the 14th century.

Remnants of the medieval London Charterhouse monastery are visible in the chequered wall and wooden gate by the red post box.

The beautifully restored Tudor buildings visible on the north side of the Square once hosted royalty, including Elizabeth I and James I of England, and are now home to our almshouse residents.

Important society figures, including Catherine Parr, once lived around the Square.

More to come in part 2!

13/08/2026

Step through our gates into our tranquil courtyard gardens and soak up a beautiful summer evening with us. We’ll have live music, pop-up bars for a refreshing drink, and delicious food options including fresh pizza or an indulgent afternoon tea.

It’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening!

Head to our website for further info and to plan your visit.

11/08/2026

During the recent heatwave, Clerkenwell Pollinator Path collected data to compare temperatures across Islington's built environment and green spaces.

The aim of this study is to build a clear, evidence-based picture of how urban greenery cools our cities and supports long-term climate resilience.

These surface temperature readings capture the heat radiating from the resin-bound surface of Entrance Court compared to the greenery of Master's Garden. It is a powerful reminder of the value of our courtyard gardens, not just as part of our heritage and day-to-day enjoyment, but as part of vital, cooling ecosystems for the city today.

Address

The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square
London
EC1M6AN

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Friday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

0203 8188873

Website

http://www.thecharterhouse.org/

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