Open House Festival

Burlington House: Society of Antiquaries of London

institution/profession, library, museum

Charles Barry Jr., 1875

Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BE

what3words: sport.ants.shop

The Society of Antiquaries of London has been exploring the material past since the early eighteenth century. In the 1870s, the Society set up home in purpose-built grade II* listed apartments in Burlington House, with a grand galleried library housing 130,000 books. Today's membership of 3,000 Fellows are leading experts in archaeology, history, art, architecture, and heritage.

Getting there

Tube

Piccadilly Circus, Green Park

Train

Charing Cross

Bus

14, 19, 38, 6, 9

Access

Facilities

Accessibility notes

There are five steps at the main entrance. Ramp available on request for wheelchair access. Lift access to upper floors.

What you can expect

Seating available on each floor.

Create a free visitor account to book festival tickets

Drop in activities

Fri 18 Sep

11:00–16:00

Drop in: Welcome to the Society of Antiquaries!

Drop in to enjoy a rare chance to view the Society's grade II* listed ground floor meeting rooms and stunning Victorian library.

11:15–15:45

Drop in: Inspired by Design - Creative Workshop

This drop-in art workshop encourages visitors of all ages to get creative through an activity inspired by design practices in the past.

Activities

Fri 18 Sep

Guided tour

11:30–12:05

Behind the Scenes at the Society of Antiquaries

Join an expert guide to discover the Society's origins and history in a short tour behind the scenes.

How to book

Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.

Guided tour

12:30–13:05

Behind the Scenes at the Society of Antiquaries

Join an expert guide to discover the Society's origins and history in a short tour behind the scenes.

How to book

Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.

Guided tour

13:30–14:05

Behind the Scenes at the Society of Antiquaries

Join an expert guide to discover the Society's origins and history in a short tour behind the scenes.

How to book

Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.

Guided tour

14:30–15:05

Behind the Scenes at the Society of Antiquaries

Join an expert guide to discover the Society's origins and history in a short tour behind the scenes.

How to book

Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.

Guided tour

15:25–16:00

Behind the Scenes at the Society of Antiquaries

Join an expert guide to discover the Society's origins and history in a short tour behind the scenes.

How to book

Bookings will open at midday on 19 August. You won't be able to book a ticket before then.

About

Hidden Treasures at Burlington House

We are delighted to welcome visitors to the Society of Antiquaries of London on Friday 18 September for drop-ins and pre-booked guided tours. The Society set up home in purpose-built apartments in Burlington House in the 1870s. Now grade II* listed, the building remains little changed today in use or appearance. Visit for the sumptuous, neo-classical design then stay to admire the Tudor royal portraits, eighteenth-century chandeliers, and nineteenth-century prints and drawings (including a rare etching of a section of the Bayeux tapestry). A friendly team of staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.

Tours

Pre-booked tours will take visitors behind the scenes at Burlington House to view collections and architecture not normally on view to the public, including the Fellows’ Room and General Secretary’s office.

History of the Society

The Society of Antiquaries of London traces its origins to a meeting of three friends, Humfrey Wanley, John Talman, and John Bagford, in a London tavern in December 1707. The Society now has more than 3000 Fellows, who are experts in fields related to material culture such as archaeology, history, and heritage. The Society’s library, museum, and archive collections reflect the many and varied interests of its Fellows over its 300-year history.

Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House

The buildings were designed in an Italianate style by Robert Banks and Charles Barry Junior in the 1870s. The northern part of the building was originally designed as accommodation for the Society’s General Secretary, and only the entrance hall, Meeting Room, and Library were public rooms. The insignia of the Society, the ‘lamp of knowledge’, can be found throughout the building, from the floor of the entrance hall to book spines in the galleried library.

Creative Workshops

Free, drop-in workshops allow visitors of all ages to get creative through an accessible and fun art activity inspired by architecture and design practices in the past.

Online presence

www.sal.org.uk

www.instagram.com/socantiquaries

bsky.app/profile/antiquaries.bsky.social

www.facebook.com/SocietyofAntiquariesofLondon

Nearby

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