Credit: Society of Antiquaries of London
Credit: Society of Antiquaries of London
Credit: Society of Antiquaries of London
Credit: Society of Antiquaries
institution/profession, library, museum
Charles Barry Jr., 1875
Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BE
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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.
Piccadilly Circus, Green Park
Charing Cross
14, 19, 38, 6, 9
There are five steps at the main entrance. Ramp available on request for wheelchair access. Lift access to upper floors.
Seating available on each floor.
Credit: Society of Antiquaries of London
Credit: Society of Antiquaries of London
Credit: Society of Antiquaries of London
Credit: Society of Antiquaries
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Drop in
institution/profession, library, education, scientific
The world's oldest active biological society. Founded in 1788, the Society takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus whose botanical, zoological and library collections have been in its keeping since 1829.
Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1873
