The Charterhouse Museum
Free museum display in the historic Charterhouse in Clerkenwell, telling the story of a medieval monastery, Tudor mansion and almshouse.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Charterhouse in Clerkenwell began in 1371 as a Carthusian monastery, on land that had been used as an emergency burial ground after the Black Death. After Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the Crown took the site, and in 1545 Sir Edward North turned it into a grand mansion. Elizabeth I and James I both stayed there.
In 1611 Thomas Sutton bought the house and founded a charity with an almshouse for residents known as Brothers, together with a school. The school moved to Godalming in 1872, but the almshouse still houses people aged 60 and over today. Incendiary bombs badly damaged the historic buildings in 1941, and they were restored between 1945 and 1959.
The museum display uses about 120 objects, some on loan from Charterhouse School, the London Museum and the V&A, to tell this story. It starts in the present day and moves backwards in time, covering the daily life of the Brothers, the school, the origins of the charity, and the Tudor and medieval periods.
Highlights
- Museum display of about 120 objects told backwards from today
- Guided tours of medieval remains and Tudor interiors
- Brothers Tour led by a resident
- Chapel and courtyard gardens
Permanent exhibition
- Museum display – About 120 objects tell the history of the Charterhouse backwards from the present, from the life of the Brothers to the Tudor and medieval periods.
- Founded
- 2017
- Operated by
- The Charterhouse (charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (10+ people) | £15 per personPrice per person for the 60-minute Charterhouse Tour; groups of 10 to 20 people. |
|---|---|
| Islington residents’ tour ticket | £1With proof of Islington address; extra child tickets are also £1. |
The museum display, Chapel and shop are free. Guided tours are ticketed and booked online; prices are shown on the booking site. Group tour prices per person are £15 for the Charterhouse Tour and Garden Tour, £18 for the Brothers’ Tour and the Art and Historic Interiors Tour, and £27 for the House and Garden Tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The visitor entrance, reception, museum, Chapel and learning centre are step-free, and a lift in reception serves the Great Chamber. Most courtyard gardens are accessible, but the Norfolk and Master’s Gardens have steps. Ramps are available on request, with advance notice for Saturday tours. Portable chairs can be borrowed. There is no Changing Places toilet on site; the nearest is at the Barbican Centre. The Chapel is the main quiet space.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Baby changing facilities
Free family resources can be used during a visit or downloaded. Buggy parking is limited, and baby changing is available on site.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Farringdon station
Farringdon station (including the Elizabeth line) and Barbican station are the nearest stations. Buses 4, 56 and 153 stop in front of Barbican station on Aldersgate Street.
By car
Paid parking
A limited number of paid spaces are on the west side of Charterhouse Square.
For satnav, use postcode EC1M 6AH, which leads to the Malmaison hotel next to the Gatehouse; the visitor entrance is a short walk further along the north side of the square.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells gifts, local products and historical publications, and its income supports the charity.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 300 guests.
Indoor spaces and courtyard gardens can be hired; the venue is licensed for civil ceremonies and is also used for filming.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial use; tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and lighting equipment are not permitted. |
| Good to know | Tours include outdoor areas, so visitors should dress for the weather. The Historic Buildings and Rooms Tour lasts about 60 minutes and the Brothers Tour, led by a resident, about 90 minutes. Seasonal garden tours and candlelit tours are also offered. Visitors are asked to respect residents’ privacy. |
