What are the 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

The Charterhouse

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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!

05/06/2026

We want to say a huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers this Volunteers' Week!

At the Charterhouse, we are incredibly lucky to have a dedicated community of volunteers who give their time and passion to support our community, heritage and gardens.

Thank you for everything you do to keep the Charterhouse such a special place!

04/06/2026

Step back into the turbulent 1530s with us!

We are delighted to welcome historian and broadcaster Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch to the Charterhouse for a special lecture on the life of Thomas Cromwell.

The lecture will take place in our historic Chapel, which originally served as the monks’ chapter house, and is one of the very buildings Cromwell himself may have visited.

As Henry VIII's chief minister, Cromwell was the driving force behind the English Reformation. Professor MacCulloch will explore Cromwell's rapid rise to power and his role in the suppression of the London Charterhouse, the monastery that was later transformed into an aristocratic mansion, and finally the almshouse which it remains today.

Diarmaid MacCulloch is Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University and the award-winning author and BBC presenter behind The History of Christianity and Thomas Cromwell: A Life.

When: Doors open 5:45pm | Lecture 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Pop-up Bar: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Tickets: £20 (£18 concessions)

Click on the link in our first comment for info and tickets.

Portrait of Thomas Cromwell by Hans Holbein the Younger c. 1532–33. The Frick Collection, New York. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

03/06/2026

Get your tickets now for our first Open Garden Evening on Thursday 18 June. Relax in our hidden gardens, with music by Sol Grimshaw band, Pop-up bars, a pizza van and the special option of an Afternoon Tea ticket!

29/05/2026

We really love this photo taken in Preacher's Court by Nick Guttridge, which perfectly captures the beauty and stillness at the Charterhouse on a sunny day. Even in the heart of London, centuries of history have a way of slowing things down.

26/05/2026

From Monastic Brews to Afternoon Tea

While the medieval monks brewed their own, and 17th-century Brothers petitioned the Governors about the quality of their daily ration, today we are more likely to consume our beer in cake form.

Read our latest blog for a taste of Charterhouse history - complete with our Kitchen team's recipe for Guinness & Chocolate Cake. Link in first comment.

25/05/2026

We are delighted to introduce our new Preacher, the Revd Jennifer Midgley-Adam.

Jennifer brings a deep commitment to community and a ministry which reflects this. She joins us from St Peter's Eaton Square and formerly All Hallows-by-the-Tower, and as part of her broader ministry, she serves as Chaplain to the City of London Sea and Royal Marine Cadets.

Jennifer shares: "I am excited to be joining The Charterhouse and look forward to becoming part of its life and community alongside all those who live, work, and visit there."

She will be starting at the Charterhouse this August, and we look forward to giving her a very warm welcome to our community.

22/05/2026

Justin from our Gardening team and lovely resident Brian are officially ready for the sunshine- proving that sun safety is always in style!

Have a brilliant, sunny weekend, everyone - don't forget your sunscreen and your favourite hat!

19/05/2026

Summer is just around the corner, our courtyard gardens are heading into full bloom and bookings are now open for our Summertime Garden Tours!

Led by an expert member of our Horticulture team, these tours offer an insight into the heritage and contemporary life of our site through the lens of the changing .

Join us to explore:
Living History: The unique heritage rooted in our grounds.
Stewardship: The daily care required to keep these gardens thriving for our community.
Conservation: Our work with local partners to protect biodiversity and adapt to climate change.

Whether you are a keen gardener or a history enthusiast, we invite you to come and discover more about our gardens.

Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (9 June – 25 August)
Follow the link in the first comment to book your tour.

Photo (c) Nick Guttridge

18/05/2026

We are loving these gorgeous close-ups taken by our resident Tim. He managed to perfectly catch the raindrops on this and after the recent rainfall, and they are somehow rather meditative.

A beautiful reminder of how lucky we are to have such a vibrant garden (and talented residents!) here at the Charterhouse.

15/05/2026

Ever wondered how we got our name?

It traces back to the 14th century, and a knight and courtier named .

From the county of Hainault, now in modern day France (part of the Holy Roman Empire at the time), Manny was an influential figure. During the Black Death, he leased the land that is now Charterhouse Square from neighbouring Augustinian monastery St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield to serve as an emergency burial ground.

Later, he helped found a monastery for the order on the site, which became the London Charterhouse. The name is actually an English take on "Chartreuse," the region in France where the order first began.

Today, Sir Walter's grave lies in our Chapel Court. It is positioned exactly where the high altar of the medieval monastic church once stood—marking the very heart of the legacy he left behind.

Photo (c) Nick Guttridge

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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