institution/profession, scientific
Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1873
Home to the oldest geological society in the world, founded in 1807. The Society has been based at Burlington House since 1874, and now has over 12,000 members worldwide.
Green Park, Piccadilly Circus
14, 19, 38, 6, 9
We are delighted to welcome visitors to the Geological Society for this year's Open House festival, during which we will be celebrating 150 years in New Burlington House.
The world's oldest geological society was inaugurated on Friday 13 November 1807, at a dinner held at the Freemasons Tavern, Covent Garden. The Society had a number of homes in its first few decades, before settling in Somerset House (alongside many of the other London learned societies) in 1828 and finally moving to Burlington House in 1874.
NEW FOR 2024 - view Harry Young's Rock Map of Scotland.
Harry Young created his map of Scotland by travelling around the country collecting rocks. He shot to fame on social media earlier this year when his grandson posted about the map on X (Twitter). Since February, the post has been viewed more than 6.2 million times. We are delighted to have Harry's map on display at this year's festival.
On your visit you will also see: Entrance Hall, in which is displayed the first geological map of England & Wales (1815) by William Smith and a painting of palaeontologist Mary Anning; the triple and double tiered Upper and Lower Libraries which hold the Society’s internationally important collections; the Council Room with portraits of a number of the Society’s major historical figures; our modern Lecture Theatre.
We will be running educational activities throughout the day - just pop in!
1. Harry's Map
Be inspired by Harry's incredible map of Scotland and help to create our very own! View the map and handle rock specimens before having a go at recreating it on our own collage of Scotland.
2. Meteo-right? Or Meteo-wrong?
Curious about rocks in space? Get up close with meteorites and learn more about planetary geoscience. See if you can become a meteorite expert!
3. Rock Pets
Get creative and bring to life your very own rock pet! Unleash your inner artist to transform ordinary rocks into exciting pets to take home!
The original Burlington House was built by Sir John Denham for his new bride in 1665 but after her early death it was sold to Richard Boyle, first Earl of Burlington, in 1668. Between 1715-1722, the third Earl had the house reconstructed in the Palladian style which we see today. The property then passed to the Cavendish family in the mid 18th century and was eventually purchased by the Government in 1854 with the express purpose of housing the learned societies close to the Royal Academy to encourage interchange between the arts and sciences. Additional accommodation was provided in the West and East wings and gateway blocks enclosing the courtyard, which were completed to the designs of architects Charles Barry and Robert Richardson Banks between 1869-1873. The exterior of the Grade II* listed building is of Portland Stone (Upper Jurassic). The Society's apartments have undergone a number of refurbishments over the years, most recently from 2007-2013.
Visitors are welcome to photograph inside the Society's apartments for their own personal use. No flash photography or tripods please.
Drop in / Guided tour
institution/profession, library, museum
The Society of Antiquaries of London has been exploring the material past since the early eighteenth century. This year we celebrate 150 years of residence in the purpose-built grade II* listed apartments in Burlington House, with its grand galleried library and varied collections. Today's membership of 3000 Fellows are leading experts in archaeology, history, art, architecture, and heritage.
Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1875
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
Drop in / Guided tour
institution/profession, scientific
Experience the history, architecture and science of the East Wing of Burlington House, home to the Royal Society of Chemistry. Part of the quadrangle extension to Burlington House, it was purpose built for the learned society.
Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1873
Drop in / Family activity
institution/profession, scientific, library
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) moved into Burlington House 150 years ago in 1874. Part of the extension to Burlington House to provide accommodation for learned societies, the building was refurbished in 2007. The RAS is the oldest astronomical society in the world and has been encouraging and promoting the study of astronomy and geophysics since 1820.
Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1874
