Museum of the Order of St John
St. Johns Gate, 26 St. John's Lane, London, Greater London, EC1M 4DA
For Heritage Open Days we will be opening up the historic rooms upstairs at St John’s Gate, including the Chapter Hall and Council Chamber, and the Priory Church and Crypt, all of which are usually only accessible on paid-for guided tours. Visitors will be able to explore the rooms at their own pace, with stewards on hand to talk about the history and architecture of the spaces.
The Priory was founded in the 1140s as the English headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller. The Hospitallers were an international religious order, founded in Jerusalem at the end of the eleventh century to provide care for pilgrims who had become sick on their travels to the Holy Land. After the Crusaders captured Jerusalem, the Hospitallers also took on a military role. The Order’s English Priory here in Clerkenwell was closed down by King Henry VIII in 1540 and the Gate and Church are the only surviving buildings. The Church has since been a grand house and then a parish church. The Gate has been, among many other things, a coffeehouse, a pub and the home of the Gentleman's Magazine. The modern Order of St John was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1888, in recognition of the work of its charitable work through St John Ambulance, and now owns and runs both buildings.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- 1300-1800
Location & directions
St. Johns Gate, 26 St. John's Lane, London, Greater London, EC1M 4DA
- Directions:
- The nearest station is Farringdon, which is 5 minutes’ walk from the Museum. It is served by Thameslink trains, the Elizabeth Line and the London Underground (Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines).
- Contact on day:
- Rachel Job
- Telephone number:
- +442073244005
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
There is step-free access to the Museum Galleries on the ground floor of St John's Gate, and to the Priory Church, but no step-free access to the upstairs rooms at St John's Gate or to the crypt of the Priory Church. Please contact us for further information.
