historical house
Mae Architects, 2021
Morden College, 19 St Germans Place, SE3 0PW
what3words: 19.stgermans.place
Morden College is a charity founded in 1695 by Sir John Morden. For over 330 years, it has provided safe, high quality homes that support independence, dignity and belonging later in life. Join a guided tour of its beautiful buildings, from the historic grade I listed Quadrangle to the award winning John Morden Centre, winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize.
Blackheath, Kidbrooke
108, 132, 178, 286, 53, 54, 89
There is free parking available. There are some steps in the quadrangle building. The JMC is accessible with level access from parking.
At various points of interest in the tour, there is seating available for visitors.
Guided tour
10:15–11:15
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Guided tour
11:30–12:30
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Guided tour
14:00–15:00
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Guided tour
15:15–16:15
How to book
Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.
Morden College is an almshouse founded in 1695 by Sir John Morden, a pioneering Levant Company merchant born in London. After a short two-year period as Treasurer of Bromley College, Kent, a home for widows of the Clergy, Sir John officially founded Morden College near his home Wricklemarsh Manor. Influenced by his experiences as a Merchant, he establishes the College as a home for 40 poor merchants who ‘have lost their estates by accidents, dangers and perrills of the Seas or by any other accidents ways or means in their honest endeavours to get their living by means of merchandizing’.
While the admissions of residents have expanded and changed, today Morden College builds on our three-hundred-and-thirty-year heritage and honours the vision of our founder by providing independent living and high-quality services to close to 250 residents across two sites, enabling people to maintain their independence and dignity as they age. Morden College is committed to ensuring everyone in later life has the opportunity to live well in a modern and changing world.
Why College?
The word ‘college’ in our name relates to this being a place where people live together: the word ‘college’ originally meant a place where people lived together with a common set of rules - and it has the same root as the word ‘colleague’.
The Quad at Morden College is one of the very finest almshouse buildings in the country. Built by Edward Stone, Master Stonemason to Christopher Wren, from 1695-1702 it is listed at Grade I, which places it amongst the top 2% of all listed buildings in England. The Quadrangle was designed as flats for 40 men and the first five beneficiaries came into residence in 1700. It also includes a chapel, dining room and 19th century library. The Quad forms the historic and spiritual heart of Morden College, having provided accommodation for residents for over 300 years.
The John Morden Centre was built in 2021 as a hub for residents’ social activities and health and wellbeing needs. In 2023, the John Morden Centre was awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize. This modern, award-winning building was designed by Mæ Architects, offering light-filled spaces, natural materials and a calm, contemporary feel.
The start of the tour at the main entrance is up four steps, however guides will be able to take anybody with accessibility concerns around via level access to the starting point.
The section of the tour that takes in the Dining Hall and Library is down three steps with no level access.
The remainder of the site and tour is level access.
Please be advised that during the tour you will be walking by accommodation occupied by residents. We ask that you are respectful of the residents by being mindful of noise and only move around areas as directed by the tour guide.
