charterhouse tour

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Come and discover our unique story which spans more than 650 years and get to know our community.

Welcome to the charterhouse.

The Charterhouse is an active community and home to our residents who are known as Brothers, although no longer exclusively men. We welcome visitors during Opening Hours to our small museum display, Chapel and shop. Anyone who wishes to explore our historic buildings can book a place on one of our Tours to find out more about our story. Tours take place all year round and include outdoor areas, so if booking onto a tour please do come prepared for the day’s weather conditions.

Please visit our Group Bookings page for information about visits for 10 people or more as a private group.

Historic Houses Members should pre-book their free tour online via Book Tours , selecting ‘Charterhouse Tour’, the preferred date and entering the code  hhmembers2024 at the checkout. The code is only valid for standard Charterhouse Tours (one hour, charged at £15 full price, or £12 concessions), other tours aren’t part of the agreement with Historic Houses.  Please note that Historic Houses Members will need to show their valid membership in person on the day in order to redeem the pre-booked tour.

We run a programme of lectures, open gardens and events. See What’s On to find out more and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and special offers. If you are a family with young children visiting us, just ask at the desk if you would like a free printed children’s trail to use in the museum and Chapel.

Charterhouse Square is also open to enjoy from early in the morning until the evening, Tuesday to Saturday. It offers a green space in the heart of the city where you can relax or enjoy a picnic with the backdrop of our historic site.

Please note we do not have a café on site, but there are a wide variety of cafés, restaurants and pubs nearby in Clerkenwell and Barbican.

For further information or to discuss how we can assist you during your visit please contact us on 0203 818 8873 or email [email protected]

The museum, Chapel and shop are open 10.30 – 16.30, Tuesday to Saturday .

Tours take place each day at 11.00 and 14.15 Tuesday to Saturday and advance booking is recommended.

The Chapel is open for regular services at 08.00 and 17.30 each day, and anyone can drop in and take time out in this tranquil space.

As we are a functioning almshouse we may occasionally need to change opening or tour times, or close at short notice. We will give as much advance notice of any changes as possible on our website and social media.

The Charterhouse Charterhouse Square London EC1M 6AN

Tel: 0203 818 8873

Please note : There is no access to the Charterhouse or Charterhouse Square from Clerkenwell Road or Queen Mary University of London Charterhouse Square Campus. If you are having difficulties locating us,  you can use the postcode ‘EC1M 6AH’ for the Malmaison Hotel, which is right next door to the Gatehouse entrance and just down from the museum entrance.

The nearest Underground stations are Farringdon (take the Barbican exit from the Elizabeth line) and Barbican.

Buses 4, 56, and 153 stop in front of Barbican station on Aldersgate Street.

There are a limited number of paid parking spaces on the west side of Charterhouse Square.

Entrance to the museum, Chapel and shop is on Charterhouse Square and is step-free and wheelchair accessible. The public areas of the reception, museum display, Chapel, learning centre and cloakroom facilities are fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. There is a lift in the reception area which can be used for visitors to the Great Chamber; please let us know in advance if you require ramp access for a Saturday tour but weekday tours do not require advance notice.

• There are accessible toilet and baby changing facilities but please be aware that there is limited buggy parking. The nearest Changing Places toilets are at the  Barbican Centre .
• We have a small number of disabled parking spaces for Blue and Orange Badge holders; please call us in advance to book a space.
• We do not have a dedicated quiet space apart from the Chapel, but you are welcome to get in touch with us before your visit to discuss your needs.

Tour & museum accessibility

The historic buildings of the Charterhouse include some uneven surfaces and a cobbled courtyard. There are easy alternative routes for wheelchair users on all stops on the tour. A wheelchair is available to borrow during your visit and we have portable chairs that you can take with you on the tour.

• We run tours led by a registered BSL guide every few months so please do check our Tours page for information and to purchase tickets.
• Large print guides are available in the museum, and we welcome assistance dogs.
• Our Visual Story also contains visitor information and sensory guide tips and can also be useful for neurodiverse visitors to help plan a visit.
• We have dedicated resources available for visitors with special educational needs.

We welcome any feedback from visitors on how to improve access at the Charterhouse, please contact Museum & Tours | 020 3818 8873 [email protected].

Charterhouse Tour (60 mins): Join a professional guide to discover the evocative remnants of the medieval monastery and the courtyards of the opulent Tudor mansion. Our tours cast new light on well-known stories from British history and introduce our visitors to the unique heritage of the historic Charterhouse – living the nation’s history since 1348.

Brother’s Tour (up to 90 mins): Discover Thomas Sutton’s charity and life at the Charterhouse today in these historic surroundings. These tours are given from the perspective of each individual Brother – no two tours are the same. They provide an in-depth look at the long history of the site and the lifestyle of the Brothers through the centuries and are a unique opportunity to learn more about the nuances of this fascinating historical gem hidden in the heart of London.

Garden Tour (60 mins): Led by a gardener and a Brother, this is a rare opportunity to enter the enchanting secret gardens of the Charterhouse. Hidden away for more than 650 years, the Charterhouse gardens are now revealed in all their glory – an oasis of calm and great beauty where a collection of courtyard gardens gradually unfold, cleverly reflecting different moods and providing colour and interest throughout the seasons. (Spring and summer only)

House and Garden Tour (up to 120 mins): An opportunity to take in the full splendour of the whole site, combining the two main tours described above. (Spring and summer only)

Family Tour (45 mins): Join us on a journey through the Charterhouse as we look for Thomas Sutton’s missing Talbots. Discover medieval monks, regal royals, terrible Tudors and naughty schoolboys as we search high and low for cuddly, teddy Talbots. Can you help us find them all?

Art and Historic Interiors Tour (75 mins) A closer and more detailed look at our historic room design and unique artworks collection including our wonderful Flemish tapestry collection, which is not included on any other tour.

The Charterhouse by Candlelight (60 mins) A chance to experience the beautiful buildings lit by candlelight – discover the treasures of the Charterhouse in the early evening with a glass of wine. (October to March only)

British Sign Language Tour (60 Mins)

A British Sign Language tour of the Charterhouse led by our volunteer, Deaf BSL Guide, exclusively for Deaf and hard of hearing visitors, highlighting key features of the Charterhouse and bringing to life its 600 years of history, using BSL.

Book your tour here .

We very much welcome Group Bookings, with a capacity of 20 people per tour (when there are more of you we can arrange to split into two tours).  Do get in touch to see how we can accommodate your group travel plans.

Did you know you can now order home-made refreshments for a just a small extra cost per person (prices inclusive of VAT), this includes FREE exclusive hire of our Portal Trust Learning Centre! ( Usual cost £250+VAT per hour)

Please fill out our online Group booking form and we will get back to you shortly. You can also email [email protected] or call 020 3818 8873 to make an enquiry about group bookings.

Group booking form

Min. 10 people, max. 20 people per tour. If your group is larger than 20 people, please state the estimated number, as we may be able to run two tours for you. Final numbers must be confirmed one month before your visit.

Cost per person (Inclusive of VAT) Brother’s Tour: £18 Charterhouse Tour: £12 Art and Historic Interiors Tour: £18 Garden Tour: £15 House and Garden Tour: £27

Terms and Conditions

• We will require a holding deposit of £60 (Charterhouse Tours) or £90 (Brother’s, Garden, Art and Historic Interiors Tours) or £120 (House and Garden Tours) to confirm your booking. This is payable by card, BACS, or cheque. All prices inclusive of VAT.
• The total cost of your visit, based on final numbers of visitors and any refreshments requests, will be agreed one month in advance of your visit. This is to prevent loss of income from last-minute dropouts.
• The balance of payment – payable by card, BACS, or cheque – will be due one month before your visit, except in exceptional circumstances as agreed with the Charterhouse. The holding deposit will be deducted from your final balance.
• The booking will include exclusive free private hire of the Learning Centre which usually costs £250+VAT per hour.
• Please make cheques out to ‘Carthusia Ltd’ and post to The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6AN.
• Once the final balance has been confirmed and the final invoice has been issued, we cannot reduce or amend the final balance or numbers due to last minute group drop-outs, so the full amount will be expected to be paid.

Cancellation Policy

• The Charterhouse operates a no refunds policy on tour deposits and tour bookings if the visit is cancelled by the customer.
• If the event is cancelled by the Charterhouse the customer is entitled to a full refund by the original payment method.
• In the event of a group postponing their visit, any deposit will be retained by the Charterhouse and applied to any rearranged date.

Photography is permitted across the Charterhouse site but we ask visitors to respect the residents’ privacy and not take pictures of people.  If you are posting your pictures on social media, please do tag us on X @charterhouseec1 , Facebook @theCharterhouseLondon and Instagram @charterhouselondon .

The Charterhouse is just one of several monastic institutions which dominated the Clerkenwell and Smithfield area during the medieval period. The  Monastic Walking Tour  includes The Charterhouse, the  Museum of the Order of St John , and the churches of  St Bartholomew the Great  and  The Priory and Hospital of St Bartholomew . The monasteries were all closed in the few years between 1536 and 1540, when Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church. The legacy of these institutions lives on in Clerkenwell and Smithfield in the surviving buildings and in the philanthropic and caring work that is still a major feature of daily life at these landmark sites.

If you are walking in the area do take a moment to enjoy Charterhouse Square, and you may like to explore some of the other historical sites using the tour created by  Geo Tourist   as part of their Epic England series , which can be listened to if you download their app to your smartphone. You can also book onto a walking tour of Clerkenwell’s Monastic Quarter with Islington Guided Walks .

The London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) is located nearby in Clerkenwell, and holds the records for Sutton’s Hospital, Charterhouse , the majority of which cover the period 1611 – 1993. The LMA is a public research centre which specialises in the history of London, caring for and providing access to the archives of businesses, schools, hospitals, charities and all manner of other organisations from the London area. It also has a programme of events, exhibitions and conferences.

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Absolute gem of a building, fantastic history & just a brilliant place. In amongst all the hustle & bustle of the city of London a little bit of tranquility.

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What's On at the Charterhouse?

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Discover our Collections

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The Charterhouse

A historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London, dating back to the 14th century and home to the famous almhouse.

Smithfield, London

Experience this house

• Accessible loos
• Accessible parking
• Easily accessible without car
• Facilities for children
• Mostly wheelchair accessible
• Picnic area
• Hearing loops
• Large font signs and leaflets
• Guide dogs welcome
• Wheelchair ramps/routes
• Accessible toilets
• Access statement available

Set in the heart of Clerkenwell, the Charterhouse has been living the Nation’s history since 1348.

Initially a Black Death burial ground, the site became home to the largest Carthusian monastery in the world until it was brutally dissolved in 1537 when 16 monks became proto-martyrs of the Reformation.

A grand Tudor mansion replaced the monastery. Elizabeth I spent the first days of her reign at the Charterhouse and James I (of England) created 133 Barons in the Great Chamber prior to his coronation.

In 1611 Thomas Sutton acquired the mansion and site to house his new Charity, an almshouse and school. The school separated and moved out of London in 1872 but the almhouse thrives to this day amidst the medieval, Tudor, Jacobean and later architecture that makes the site so fascinating.

Please note:  The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.

Museum: All year round, Tuesdays to Saturdays, tours at 11am and 2:15pm.

We are open 10.30am to 4.30pm and basic admission to the Museum and Chapel is free.

We also have two guided tours a day, Tuesdays – Saturdays – see details here .

Historic Houses Members must now pre-book online for their free tour at https://thecharterhouse.org/visit-us . Members should select ‘Charterhouse Tour’ and their preferred date and enter code hhmembers2024 at the checkout. This code is valid only for a free Charterhouse Tour – one hour, usually charged at £15 full price, £12 concessions (other tours are available but not free for members). You will still need to show a valid membership in person on the day in order to redeem your free tour.

We can schedule our regular or specialist guided tours for groups of up to 40 people, and we can also offer catering options ranging from tea and coffee to a light lunch. Group bookings (minimum of 10 people) are subject to a deposit payable in advance of the tour. Attendance must be confirmed one month in advance.

Prices are inclusive of VAT. Terms and conditions apply.

Please book here using the online form  (scroll down to Groups) or contact us with any queries you have on:

[email protected]   or call us on 0203 818 8873

The Charterhouse is an amazing place for pupils to learn about the changing face of England. From monks to monarchs, discover the fascinating stories of those who have helped shape the history of our nation. We have sessions available for KS1 and KS2 pupils and we also have a variety of online and downloadable resources. Book your school trip now!

Please book here using the online form  or contact us with any questions you have on:

[email protected] or call us on 0203 818 8873

The pensioners who live in the almshouse here at the Charterhouse are very pleased to share their extraordinary home and its unique history.

Getting here

Between the Barbican and Smithfield Market in Charterhouse Square, London EC1.

London Underground (Barbican and Farringdon) Circle & Hammersmith and City Line.

Rail Thameslink – Farringdon.

Buses 4, 56, 153 (all stop at Barbican Station).

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Posted on 8th August 2022 Categories London History

By: Author Lauren Kendrick

The Curious History of the Charterhouse in London

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Looking to explore the Charterhouse? This eccentric London spot has many tales to tell, here’s everything you need to know before you visit.

The Charterhouse in London has an intriguing past that dates back to long before it was the Charterhouse– and it’s quite eerie. 

There are plenty of places to visit at the Charterhouse too, including a museum, chapel, gardens and the great chamber.

Ready to explore?

First of All… What is the Charterhouse?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Charterhouse (@charterhouselondon)

Well, the Charterhouse has been many things over the years since it was first built in 1371. It’s been a monastery, a grand Tudor mansion, boys school, and now an almshouse.  

What’s an almshouse? Essentially it’s a housing charity. 

Thomas Sutton was an English Servant and businessman who set up the charity in 1611. With sixteen Governors who are the charity trustees and meet three times a year. Since 1611, the Charterhouse has provided accommodation to the community, known as the Brothers. 

What Does the Charity Do?

The charity provides a much-needed home and cares for people over 60 who are in financial and social need and can live independently. 

Did you know that there are over 2000 almshouses in England? Nope, neither did we. But, what makes the Charterhouse’s almshouse so unique is its sense of community. 

Beneficiaries live in private flats, they come and go as they please. Yet, still choose to eat most of their meals in the historic 16th Century Great Hall joined by members of staff and get involved in a community book club and keep fit sessions. 

What Settled Practices Does The Almshouse Have?

Up until 2018, all residents were men– hence the community being called the Brothers and still is today. Almshouse is happy to finally have female residents and hopes that many more women continue to join the community.

The place of the Chapel in community life is well respected by all members of the community. Although not all members are Christians, the saying of grace at lunch is important to maintain its Church of England Origins.

Who Can Become a Brother?

As welcoming as the Almshouse is, there is a strict criterion that you must meet in order to become a part of the community.

You’ll need to be single and over 60. You should be in financial, housing and social need with no significant debts. Being able to live independently is crucial and wanting to contribute to the community helps. 

The History of Charterhouse London 

The Charterhouse’s history is very rich and dense, so strap in whilst we travel back to 1348. 

It was mid-way through The Black Death when the land was used as a burial site for victims of the bubonic plague. Gruesome, we know, we can’t promise that it’s not haunted by ghosts. Some years later, in 1371, the Charterhouse was built. 

Its first life was as a Carthusian Monastery, which flourished through the later medieval and early Tudor periods. Then came the dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and 1541, and with this, the Charterhouse transformed into a mansion for wealthy noblemen and a refuge for royalty. 

Royal Happenings at The Mansion

Elizabeth I met the Privy Council at the mansion in the days before her coronation in 1558. Later, James I used the Great chamber to create 130 new Barons before he was crowned. 

Who is Thomas Sutton and What Did He Do?

Thomas Sutton was an English servant and businessman, and in 1611 he bought the mansion and founded the Charterhouse. He established the Thomas Sutton foundation that now bears his name.

Thomas Sutton’s will provided up to 80 Brothers that were either decrepit, old or captains at sea or at land, maimed or disabled soldiers, merchants fallen on hard times, or those ruined by shipwreck as well as creating Charterhouse School.

Charterhouse School is one of nine English public schools, it moved to its Godalming site in 1872 but kept a strong relationship with the Charterhouse with representative observers sitting on the Governing Board.  

James I retained his connection with the Charterhouse and became the first Royal Governor of Thomas Suttons Foundation. Since then, Wellington, Gladstone and Cromwell have also been Governors. 

The Charterhouse also has a literary past, appearing in Daniel Defoe, Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackery’s writings.

What Can I Do at The Charterhouse? 

Discover the Charterhouse’s vibrant history through 120 objects at the museum. The museum displays start in the present day and travel backward to reveal a fascinating tale of history. 

Explore The Great Chamber, it played host to grand royal occasions and was the backdrop for Tudor plotting and intrigue. It’s the only Tudor great chamber to survive in London and you should visit the charterhouse in London for this alone. 

Visit the English country-style gardens with roses, herbaceous borders, ancient mulberry trees and a small pond. The Gardens are for exclusive use for the Brothers but can be booked for private tours. 

The Chapel services are open to the public and the Gatekeeper is happy to admit anyone who would like to attend services on weekdays and Sundays. 

Practical Tips for Visiting the Charterhouse

• The Museum runs two tours daily, Tuesday through Saturday, you must book before you visit. You can book a tour of the Charterhouse here .
• The Charterhouse is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm Tuesday through Saturday.
• The nearest tube stations are Barbican and Farringdon – the Charterhouse is a short walk from both stations 
• You can book family activities at the Charterhouse including arts and crafts and an exclusive meet and greet with Queen Elizabeth I.

London Charterhouse: Map 

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The Charterhouse: Piety, Power and Treason in the City

In this blog, we will be visiting the most prestigious religious institution of Tudor London: the Charterhouse. Its Tudor history embraces piety, bloodshed, triumph and treason as men of God, and men of power came and went, shaping not only its history but the very fabric of the building. Thankfully, today, some of the original medieval and Tudor structures remain intact and can be visited. However, many visitors to London are unaware of its existence, which makes a pilgrimage to this Tudor gem all the more special.

This blog accompanies, and compliments, this month’s Tudor History & Travel Show podcast. If you would like to be a fly on the wall and take your own on-location tour of The Charterhouse, why not join Sarah as she explores the history and fabric of this most historic of buildings with our Charterhouse guide, James. The link to the podcast is here .

An Affluent Area of Tudor London

To reach the Charterhouse, we must make our way across Charterhouse Square, once called ‘Charterhouse Yard’. Here, the wealthy and titled of Tudor London jostled for space in this prestigious area of the City. Lying just north of the City walls, some of its most famous Tudor residents were Katherine Parr and her second husband, Lord Latimer. They lived in a fine mansion, which is now occupied by a building called No 10 Charterhouse Square. Her brother, William Parr, later 1 st Marquis of Northampton was also resident in the Square, as was John Leland, the topographer and ‘King’s Antiquary’. He lived in a tenement adjoining Lord Latimer’s mansion. The French and Venetian ambassadors also had houses in the square; back in 1533, Jean de Dinteville, who appears in Holbein’s Ambassadors, lived there, as did his successor, Charles Solier, Sieur de Morette (also painted by Holbein), in 1534.

But why was Charterhouse Yard so popular? Well, for one thing, it was within easy reach of the City, while a journey along Fleet Street and The Strand would have brought the Tudor courtier to King Street (now Whitehall) and the epicentre of court life in London: The Palace of Whitehall. Standing no more than half a mile to the north of the city walls and out of the press of the city, it was known for its ‘good air’. So, Charterhouse Yard was a convenient location for the aspiring courtier but was also a pleasant spot, away from pestilence and the bustle of the City.

On the north side of the square, a building of substance dominated the landscape. During the early Tudor period, before the Dissolution of the Monasteries, this was The Charterhouse ; one of only nine Carthusian Monasteries in England – and by far the most prestigious!

There was an enormous cachet associated with becoming one of the brethren of the Charterhouse. Learned and wealthy men gave up other ambitions to be there – even as a lay brother. Although the Carthusian order was renowned for demanding that monks live a life of solitude, simplicity, and silence, there are records that the residents lived a very comfortable life, with the monastery relying on the patronage of wealthy and powerful individuals to support the foundation.

Entering the Yard from Charterhouse Lane, the Carthusian Priory lay to the north of the square. There was also a medieval chapel, churchyard, and stone cross sited on the centre of the green. They marked the fact that during the reign of Edward I in 1349, the Yard had been the burial place of a substantial number of victims of The Black Death. It was this cemetery that gave grounds for the setting up of a religious institution to the north of the cemetery. The Charterhouse was finally completed around 1420, and thanks to generous patronage, by the 1430s secured something that many inhabitants of Medieval London could only dream of – running water, piped from a high ground over Clerkenwell.

The Charterhouse as a Religious Institution

The monastery reached its zenith in the first 30 years of the sixteenth century under Prior William Tynbygh. It consisted of a particularly vast Great Cloister, measuring 340 by 300 ft, around which all the key buildings of the priory were arranged, including the priory church, chapter house, and frater, as well as individual cells accommodating each monk. 

While the order prized simplicity, solitude, and silence, the monks enjoyed clean orderly living, with running water to their cell. Each cell covered 25 square feet and comprised three-four rooms built over two floors. As you can see from the image below, the kind of rooms you might expect to see inside included an entrance lobby, a prayer room, a sleeping room, and a living room. Each monk enjoyed his own secluded garden, latrine, fire, candles, running water, and fresh meals delivered to their door; handicrafts, rather than physical labour, occupied their time, including crafts such as bookbinding, writing, and illumination, carpentry, weaving or the study of topics such as medicine. Other manual tasks, which enabled the running of the monastery, such as brewing, baking, and laundry were carried out by lay-brothers.

The Great Cloister was a covered walkway connecting all the cells to the principal priory church and other communal buildings. The floor consisted of tiles laid diagonally and interspersed with memorial slabs. These marked the final resting place of laymen and benefactors of the priory. The church was used for worship by both the priory and the laity. It measured 97 ft long by 38 ft wide externally. As such, it was built on a similar scale to its sister house, another Carthusian Priory in North Yorkshire, Mount Grace Priory. In the centre of the choir at the Charterhouse was the magnificent monument to the priory’s founder, Sir Walter Manny. It was originally an alabaster tomb, modelled on that of Sir John Beauchamp, who was buried in the old St Paul’s Cathedral. Today, the site of this tomb is marked by a simple monument, surrounded by pretty gardens.

The Blood-Soaked Fall of The Charterhouse

The prestige of the Charterhouse flourished through the first 30 years of Henry VIII’s reign until the king moved to divorce Katherine of Aragon, breaking with the Holy Roman Church in Rome in the process. A violent and ultimately, a bloody struggle broke out between the monarch and the holy men of the Charterhouse. It’s prior, John Houghton, and the procurator initially refused to sign the 1534 Act of Succession and they were briefly thrown into the Tower. In 1535, when it became mandatory to sign the king’s Act of Supremacy , making Henry VIII Head of the Church in England, Houghton and several others refused to bend to the king’s will. They paid for it in the most gruesome way possible. John Houghton was the first to die, being dragged to Tyburn in his religious habit, where he was hung, drawn, and quartered. It is reported that as the executioner was about to rip open his chest and remove his heart, he cried out, “O Jesus, what wouldst thou do with my heart?” Others were tied by chains to posts, hands behind their backs, and left to starve to death in Newgate prison.

Some monks who remained behind at the Charterhouse understandably capitulated to Henry’s wishes. After this, the priory limped on. The following year the last prior, William Trafford, was appointed, but he finally surrendered the Charterhouse to the king on 10 June 1537, although the priory did not finally close until 15 November 1538, when the remaining monks were evicted.

However, this is not quite the end of our Tudor tale. For after this period, the Charterhouse was used by the Crown for storage, notably as a depot for the King’s tents. However, in 1545, the entire site was purchased by Sir Edward North. He was a ‘creature’ of Sir Richard Rich, whose own country seat. Leez Priory, we explored in an earlier blog. North was a friend and fellow lawyer. Rich promoted Edward North to the Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations and the latter subsequently built himself a new home on the site of the Charterhouse: it was unimaginatively renamed ‘North House’. 

North House has been called a ‘palace’; It was certainly ‘a splendid mansion designed to suit ‘his [Lord North’s] habits, his tastes, and his whims’. One report speaks of how he turned the church into a banqueting hall during the renovations and ‘almost entirely overthrew the cloister’. Almost nothing was left of this except a large, open space that was used as a garden, outlined by the footprint of the original cloister.

Sir Edward became ‘Lord North’ during the reign of Mary I and continued to live at the Charterhouse through the early years of Elizabeth I’s reign. In 1558, just after her accession, Elizabeth kept her court at the Charterhouse for six days between 23 to 29 November. It was a most suitable property; grand in status, lying just outside the city walls, but en route from Hatfield, where the queen had learned of the death of her sister, Mary. Lord North entertained the queen a second time at his London home in 1561 from 10 to 13 July. He was to die there, three years later, on 31 December 1564.

In fact, Lord North passed away the day before his Charterhouse home was due to be sold to the 4th Duke of Norfolk: Thomas Howard. Norfolk had already sold his other London home, Norfolk House in Lambeth, and was Looking for an alternative base in the Tudor capital. The newly named ‘Howard House’ fitted the bill perfectly. Its size and grandeur suited the Duke’s status. The house was also away from the damp of the River Thames and the marshy ground that had surrounded Norfolk House and, conveniently, lying north of the City, Norfolk’s new home was en route to Kenninghall, in Norfolk. This was the principal country seat of the Howard family at the time. 

Unfortunately, the Duke fell foul of accusations of treason when rumours that he was seriously considered marrying the Catholic Queen, Mary Stuart, became known. A conversation on the subject was latterly recalled by the Duke’s advisor, Lawrence Bannister. This conversation took place in the gardens of Howard House in May 1569. As a result, he was arrested, and thrown into the Tower, but subsequently released and placed under house arrest at Howard House. Unable to keep out of trouble, the Duke soon became involved in The Ridolfi Plot to overthrow Elizabeth and place himself on the throne alongside Mary, Queen of Scots, thus restoring Catholicism to England. He began to embellish the building in preparation; the creation of the Norfolk Cloister, and possibly alterations to the great chamber ceiling, date from this time. This plot was uncovered on 6 September 1571. Norolk was arrested on charges of treason. On 16 January 1572, he was found guilty at Westminster Hall and was beheaded on Tower Hill on 2 June. 

Today what the remains of this historic building provides housing for a small community of men over 60, all of whom have given service to the country. There are tours of the Charterhouse , as it is once again known, and you will see features including the entrance to a monastic cell, the position of the original priory church, the monastic chapter house (now converted to a chapel) as well as the Tudor great hall and Norfolk’s great chamber. 

As you wander around the twenty-first century Charterhouse Square, is easy to imagine bumping into the Latimers arriving back at their London townhouse, or John Leland, Katherine Parr’s neighbour, leaving his home to set off on his one of his many travels around England, or perhaps you might catch a ghostly glimpse of the strapping figure of ambassador, Charles Solier, returning from his business at court. And don’t forget the gruesome sight of John Houghton’s arm nailed above the Charterhouse Gate as a warning to those who might dare to defy the king. Indeed, ghosts of the past are everywhere in this quiet London suburb, where piety, power and treason abound.

Other places to Visit

If you are paying a visit to The Charterhouse, remember that very close by are two other historic gems with notable Tudor history. The first is the Church of St Bartholomew the Great with its fine Tudor gatehouse and mesmerising Normal interiors. After the Dissolution, it became the swanky London home of the hated Richard Rich, mentioned above. You can find out more about St Bartholomew here .

Another nearby location is the Priory of St John in Clerkenwell . This was another religious order with close ties to medieval and Tudor monarchy. The gatehouse and crypt of the original building survive and a museum is onsite which tells the story of the order of St John and of the now lost priory.

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John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to visit. My ancestry started with Queen Mary….history, I love it!

I hope you have a lovely time when you eventually visit ????. Thanks for reading!

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Charterhouse must be wonderful to visit in the midest of today London. Thanks, Sarah, for explaining the history of Charterhouse.

You are welcome, Regula!

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8 Secrets Of The Charterhouse

The Charterhouse is one of London’s best historical hidden gems.

The site has an astonishingly rich story, going back to the area’s usage as a plague pit, then monastery, Tudor mansion, school and finally the almshouse that still occupies part of the site today.

All of this fascinating, layered and also living history can be seen today.

I will take you through the Charterhouse’s story but via 8 of the secrets you can see here.

1. The Black Death Skeleton

In 1348, when the devastating Black Death reached London, the site now occupied by Charterhouse Square was designated as a mass burial site for plague victims.

It is thought that as many as 10,000 plague victims are buried under the square.

A small chapel was established for the victims and, out of that, in 1371, the Charterhouse monastery was established here. It was a Carthusian monastery, the name coming from an Anglicisation of the French ‘Chartreuse’. La Grande Chartreuse near Grenoble is the head monastery of the Carthusian order.

In 2013 Crossrail carried out excavations in one corner of Charterhouse Square. They extracted the remains of 25 skeletons, one of which is displayed in the museum.

Tests revealed that he died between the ages of 18-25 and is thought to have moved to London from central or Eastern England when he was 5. He was breastfed as an infant, ate a largely plant based diet and had very poor dental health.

His bones also reveal the presence of Yersina pestis – the bacterium responsible for the Black Death.

2. The Monk’s Cell

The 25 monks of the Charterhouse lived in quarters, off a central cloister, in almost total isolation.

Their purpose was total withdrawal from the outside world: a life dedicated to prayer and devotion. They would only really see their fellow monks on Sundays and were passed food, writing materials and anything else they needed, through the hatch to the side of the door by a team of laymen.

3. A Gruesome Surprise

The life of the monastery came to an end in 1527 with King Henry VIII’s Reformation.

The head prior John Houghton refused to sign the Act of Supremacy, written to make King Henry VIII head of the Church instead of the Pope. Houghton and two other monks were hanged, drawn and quartered for their resistance.

As a warning to the rest of the monks, their heads were displayed on London Bridge. Not only that, John Houghton’s hand was sent back to the monastery and nailed to the doors of the gatehouse above.

This, however, only served to further rouse the monk’s religious zeal and most of the rest were either executed or left to starve to death in Newgate prison.

4. Henry VIII’s Musicians

After the monastery was dissolved, the Charterhouse was used as a Tudor mansion for favoured courtiers.

Some of the first to occupy it were the Bassano family: King Henry VIII’s musicians and instrument makers from Venice.

A recorder made at Charterhouse by the Bassano family was one of the items recovered from the wreck of the Mary Rose, which famously sank in 1545 and was discovered again in 1971.

5. Elizabeth I: Treason, Intrigue and Coronation

Sir Edward North bought the site in 1545 and built the Great Hall and Great Chamber, thus turning it into a grand Tudor abode.

Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk, bought Charterhouse in 1564. It was here that he was implicated in the Catholic plot to dethrone Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary Queen of Scots. The Queen’s agents found coded letters and the cypher to decode them (I bet he kicked himself for that one!) under a mat and amongst some roof tiles.

As well as that, it was in this very room, the Great Chamber, that Elizabeth I met with her privy council for the first time to make preparations for her coronation. The Charterhouse was conveniently placed just at the edge of the City, allowing her to make preparations before triumphantly entering through the city gates.

6. The Place Is Covered In Dog Heads

In 1611 the Charterhouse then passed to businessman and civil servant, Thomas Sutton. He was born a commoner and rose up to be one of the richest men in England. Before he died, in that same year, he bequeathed money for the site to become an almshouse and a school.

The almshouse was to be for 80 ‘brothers’: ‘either decrepit or old captaynes either at sea or at land, maimed or disabled soldiers, merchants fallen on hard times, those ruined by shipwreck of other calamity’.

There are still 40 brothers cared for today at the Charterhouse, including, as of the last few years, female brothers.

But, what about the dogs? All over the Charterhouse you will see carved or painted dog’s heads.

The dog comes from Thomas Sutton’s coat of arms, assigned to him after his death.

7. The birth of The Offside Rule?

The Charterhouse was also the site of a school until 1872 when it moved to its current location in Surrey- one of the nine great English public schools.

The cloister, once used by pious monks, then covered over by the Duke of Norfolk as an entranceway to his tennis court, was used as a football pitch by the students.

The Charterhouse school was one of the schools that formed the rules for Association Football in the mid-19th century. The long, thin nature of the space and the windows on one side, means that it has a strong claim for being the place where the off-side and throw-in rules originated.

8. A Half-Charred Door

On your way into the 17th century chapel you will see this half-charred door.

On the night of 10th May 1941, the Charterhouse was hit by an incendiary bomb, causing an inferno to rip through the building.

Considerable damage was caused to the Great Chamber and Great Hall but a quick thinking fire-watcher called Dr Harris shut the chapel door, thus saving it from the flames. It is this half-charred door we can still see today.

How to Visit

You can visit the chapel, museum and Charterhouse Square for free during their opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm.

The best way to see the Charterhouse is to go on one of their tours. They have a house tour, garden tour and even a tour run by one of the brothers. Tours run twice a day, 11am and 2.15pm from Tuesday-Saturday, click here to find out more.

I f you enjoyed that post, see below for more of London’s hidden gems!

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Share this:, 12 thoughts on “8 secrets of the charterhouse”.

Hi Jack! Thanks for the interesting post. Charterhouse is definitely on my to-do list! Have a nice week! Looking forward to your next letter! Best wishes Elke

Hello! Thank you very much- great, it is 100% worth a visit. Glad you enjoyed the post. Jack

Always a delight to read your fascinating posts,thanks for sharing. I am still on lockdown as I am my wife’s carer so your posts take us out and about London. Many thanks Harry & Pat Norman 😊

Hi Harry and Pat, thank you for your comment. Really pleased you are enjoying the posts and that I am able to bring some of London to you at this time! Warm wishes, Jack 🙂

Hi, thank You so much for Your amazing talks on London and hidden London. Even though I know London very well Your information is amazing.

Hi Stevie, thank you for your comment! You are very welcome and I am glad you are enjoying the posts. Jack

Hi there, great article. Just a detail: “The life of the monastery came to an end in 1527” should be “1537”. Hope to visit that place some day, I love the Carthusian Order. Greetings from Argentina 🙂

You would probably be sadly disappointed as there is almost nothing remaining of the original Priory/Charterhouse of the Carthusian monks. Although there is a memorial to the monks who were executed for their faith during the reigh of Henry VIII.

I was just about to comment on the date of the surrender of the Priory but I see it corrected already. Also John Houghton was not the ‘head Prior’ He was the Prior and as such the superior of the monaatery. His deputy was titled Sub-Prior. It’s such a pity that there is almost nothing remaining of the original monastery, so I would have no interest in seeing it again….I visited it around 15 years ago and found it (sadly) very Protestant.

Not wishing to put a dampner on Jack’s blog or his tours but at Mount Grace Priory in North Yorkshire another of the (9 pre reformation) English Carthusian Monasteries there is a monks cell reconstructed. Although I haven’t been thereI would really like to se it!

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Absolutely fascinating post! Thank you. Thomas Sutton, d 1611 was my 11th great grandmother’s husband. Thank you again.

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Charterhouse: a place with almost 700 years of history in London

Last updated: 01/10/2019

I'm always on the lookout for lesser-known places in London that are off the beaten path around the city. It was on one of these searches that I came to know the Charterhouse, a place full of history in the city. Check out what you can find there.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHARTERHOUSE

Charterhouse's history began in 1348, when Walter de Manny leased 13 acres of land to build a cemetery and crematorium for victims of the Black Death. It is believed that around 55,000 people were buried there. In addition, a chapel and hermitage were also built on the site. In 1371, this land was granted for the foundation of the London Charterhouse, for the construction of a Carthusian monastery (semi-eremitic cloistered Catholic order). The monastery was dissolved in 1537 after the creation of the Anglican Church by Henry VIII. Parts of the building from this monastic period still remain today, but the site was largely rebuilt after 1545. The Charterhouse was later altered, and after 1611 it was purchased by Thomas Sutton and became a shelter for the needy and a school.

CHARTERHOUSE TODAY

Today, the shelter still occupies the site, but the school was moved to another address, in the English countryside, in 1872. The shelter complex, preserved between tower blocks, is surrounded by cozy gardens and courtyards. Charterhouse still provides shelter to 40 men, known as “brothers”, and, for the first time, women are welcome to apply for a place at the institution. Anyone applying to be a “brother” must be over 60, poor and single, and thus need community support for the rest of their lives.

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OPENING TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

In partnership with the Museum of London (read more at:  Museum of London: History Museum of London ), Charterhouse opened to the public for the first time in 400 years , in February 2017, with the presence of Queen Elizabeth II. There are 3 public-facing structures: a Museum , which tells details about the history of the place until the present day; a Learning Center and Learning Program so school groups can discover how Charterhouse has been home to everyone from monks and monarchs to students and brotherhood members; and a newly landscaped Charterhouse Square open to the public so that more people can enjoy this green area. In addition, several guided tours detailing the history of the institution.

HOW TO VISIT CHARTERHOUSE

The newly opened Charterhouse Museum tells the story of the Carthusian Order from the time of the Black Death to the present day. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the skeleton of one of the 13 victims of the Black Death who were rescued during excavations of the new London Underground line. This skeleton is now in a glass case in the museum lit by electric candles.

As with the museum, admission to the Chapel is completely free. This chapel is still formed by the remains of the old Carthusian church from the 15th century. The north aisle and Tuscan arcade were designed by Francis Carter, who was also responsible for the spacious cloister that joins the chapel to the main building. This cloister is both a burial place and a memorial.

Currently, the site hosts daily masses open to the public. The services use the 17th century language of the Book of Common Prayer. On weekdays, there are usually about half a dozen resident “brothers”. On Sundays, around 30, and some songs are sung during the ceremony.

• Standard Tour:  Tour with a professional guide to see the Charterhouse's highlights, including historic sites such as the Great Hall, where the resident “brothers” sit together to enjoy their meals, the Great Chamber where Queen Elizabeth I held her court during the first days of his reign, the former Court associated with the medieval Charterhouse monks and the Court of the Masters which reveals the opulence of the Tudor mansion. I took this tour and learned a lot of interesting things about the place.
• Duration:  55 minutes
• Schedules: Tuesday to Sunday at 11:30 am, 1:45 pm and 2:45 pm | Time change from March 1, 2018: 11:30, 12:00 and 14:00
• Price:  £10

• Brother's Tour:  A guided tour done with one of the resident “brothers” at Charterhouse. The tours are made showing the perspective of each “brother” and therefore, no two tours are the same. The tours provide an in-depth look at the site’s long history and the “brothers” lifestyle over the centuries.
• Duration:  up to 2 hours
• Schedules: Tuesday to Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm
• Price:  £15
• Crossrail and the Charterhouse Tour:  From the Black Death to the founding of a Carthusian monastery to London's newest railway, discover the secrets that lie behind, or rather beneath, the Charterhouse. When the railway line crossed London, the remains of a 14th century Black Death pit were discovered.
• Duration: 75 minutes
• Schedules: selected times
• Price:  £20
• Garden Tour:  The garden tour is led by Claire Davies, Charterhouse's head gardener. It's a rare opportunity to enter Charterhouse's charming and secret garden. The best time to visit is from April, early spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Duration:  1 hour
• Schedules:  selected times

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HOW TO REACH CHARTERHOUSE

The nearest tube stations are Barbican and Farrington, served by the lines  circle , Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan . For those who prefer buses, lines 4, 56 and 153 stop in front of Barbican station on Aldersgate Street, a 5-minute walk away.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Charterhouse.

• Address:  Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AN, England
• Schedules:  Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
• Entrance:  free for the museum and the chapel
• Tours:  between £10 and £20

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The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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