Open House Festival

Burlington House: The Geological Society of London

institution/profession, scientific

Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1873

Piccadilly, W1J 0BG

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.

Getting there

Tube

Green Park, Piccadilly Circus

Bus

14, 19, 38, 6, 9

Access

Facilities

About

Welcome to the Geological Society

We are the UK’s professional body and learned society for geoscience and the oldest geological society in the world.

We support and inform scientists and the general public, primarily by helping to improve knowledge and understanding of geoscience and promoting professional excellence and ethical standards

Founded in 1807, we have been in our present home in Burlington House since 1874.

What's on view

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.

Geology Activities

We will be running educational activities throughout the day - just pop in!

(Example activities from 2024. 2025 activities to be confirmed)

1. 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!

2. 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!

About Burlington House

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.

Photography

Visitors are welcome to photograph inside the Society's apartments for their own personal use. No flash photography or tripods please.

Online presence

www.geolsoc.org.uk

www.facebook.com/GeolSoc

www.instagram.com/geolsoc

Nearby

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