Revealing the Charterhouse

Thanks to a £1.5 million lottery grant the Charterhouse will be open to the public for the first time in its 660 year history, revealing to the public the great story of this sprawling urban oasis at the heart of London.

The 14th-century complex in Clerkenwell, built on a plague pit, has been a religious site, a Tudor mansion, a school and, for the last 400 years, almshouses. It has hosted monarchs and survived serious damage in the Blitz.

The Master's court

In partnership with the Museum of London, the site will be opened up to visitors who will in turn discover a dramatic story. There are three key elements to the project:

• A new museum which will tell the story of the Charterhouse from the Black Death to the present day.
• A Learning Room and Learning Programme so that school groups can discover how the Charterhouse has been home to everyone from monks and monarchs to schoolboys and Brothers.
• A newly-landscaped Charterhouse Square which will be open to the public so that more people can enjoy the beautiful green surroundings.

Eric Parry Architects are designing the new public entrance to Charterhouse along with the learning room. 

Visitors Centre

Learning room

Charterhouse Square itself is being reconfigured by garden designer Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, inspired by its 18th century layout and returned to the public.

Opening the private square to the public

The new layout configuration of charterhouse square

The Charterhouse continues as a charity and almshouse for 40 ‘Brothers’ who live there.