The Charterhouse
A historic complex of buildings in Smithfield, London, dating back to the 14th century and home to the famous almhouse.
The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 6AN
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Easily accessible without car
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Facilities for children
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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No parking
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Shop
The Charterhouse is a contemporary almshouse and a fascinating heritage site in the heart of London. Our residents, known as ‘Brothers’ although no longer exclusively men, are at the heart of our community and call the Charterhouse their home. They are beneficiaries of a charity established in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, the spirit of which is still enacted today.
The history of the Charterhouse however dates to the era of the Black Death in 1348, when land which is now Charterhouse Square was leased as an emergency cemetery for victims of the plague. Sir Walter Manny, a Baron and former soldier who came to the court of Edward III from Hainault, now in France, paid for the lease and later the building of a Chapel nearby to pray for their souls. Michael Northburgh, the Bishop of London, had the idea of founding a Carthusian monastery, known as a Charterhouse, in London, having been impressed by one he visited in Paris. Sir Walter Manny was also involved in sponsoring the monastery, and after Northburgh’s death he went on to found what became the impressive and well-respected London Charterhouse in 1371 on land adjacent to the emergency cemetery.
The monastery thrived for many years, but with the Reformation under Henry VIII, the Prior and 15 monks were martyred and the Charterhouse was dissolved and confiscated by the Crown. For a while it was used as a store, including for Henry VIII’s tents, and lodgings. In 1545, Sir Edward North the new owner of the Charterhouse began building a grand Tudor mansion using and adapting the buildings of the former monastery. The mansion passed through the ownership of several wealthy noblemen most notably Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk. Amongst the many elite guests entertained during this period were Elizabeth I, who stayed just before her coronation in 1558 and met her first Privy Council in the Great Chamber, and James I (James VI of Scotland) who also stayed prior to his coronation and created 130 new knights in the Great Chamber.
In 1611, a ‘commoner’ Thomas Sutton bought the Charterhouse and proceeded to establish the foundation that still bears his name and was in its day the wealthiest charity in Europe. Sutton wished to use the Charterhouse to provide for a home for up to 80 gentlemen: “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” and a school for 40 “poor boys”. The school grew and evolved and eventually left the site and moved to Godalming in Surrey in 1872, becoming the Charterhouse school known today. Meanwhile the almshouse remains on the site, and while the residents still eat communally in the Great Hall as they would have done in the 17th century, much has changed in the intervening years.
Further facts:
• Thomas More studied at the Charterhouse when it was a Carthusian monastery and considered joining the order.
• From James I onwards, the monarch has always been a royal Governor of the Charterhouse
• Historic Governors include Oliver Cromwell, the first Duke of Wellington, Judge Jeffries, John Dunne, the Duke of Monmouth and Robert Peel.
• Cleric and Theologian John Wesley and Vanity Fair author William Makepeace Thackeray were pupils of the school when it was based at the Charterhouse.
• The Charterhouse school team played football in the long and narrow Norfolk Cloister, and this is said to have contributed to the creation of several Football Association rules, including the off-side rule.
The Charterhouse is an almshouse that has been in operation since 1611, and a heritage site in the heart of London. With origins dating back to the 14th century when land which is now Charterhouse Square was used as a cemetery for victims of the Black Death, the Charterhouse has been a Carthusian monastery, a grand Tudor mansion where influential owners entertained prestigious guests, and later an almshouse and school. Today as a contemporary almshouse our residents, who are still known as Brothers although no longer exclusively men, are at the heart of our community.
We welcome visitors to come and enjoy the heritage of the site with free access to the museum display and Chapel during opening hours, or by booking onto a tour to experience more of our site. We also run a programme of seasonal events including summer Open Garden Evenings and theatre performances in the Square, and a Christmas Fair and Carol Concert.
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.
We are open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10:30 – 16:30, and standard daily tours are at 11:00 and 14:15.
Timings for special tours e.g. Charterhouse by Candlelight, LGBT+ History Month Talk and Tours, Courtyard Garden tours and events are advertised via our website, e-newsletter and social media.
Admission to the museum display and Chapel is free.
Prices for tours are £15 – £25 depending on the tour, with concessions available. Please visit What’s on for further information and prices for events.
Historic Houses Members can book for a free standard tour, please pre-book online at https://thecharterhouse.org/visit-us and select ‘Charterhouse Tour’, your preferred date and enter the code hhmembers2024 at the checkout. Please note that this code is valid only for a standard one-hour Charterhouse Tour (usually charged at £15 full price, £12 concessions) and you will be required to show a valid membership in person on the day to redeem your free tour.
We can schedule our guided tours for groups of up to 40 people and can also offer catering options including teas and coffees, and light lunches. 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 and Terms and Conditions apply.
Please book using the online form (scroll down to Groups) or contact us with any queries you have on:
tours@thecharterhouse.org or call us on 0203 818 8873
The Charterhouse is a great place for pupils to learn about the changing history 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.
Please book here using the online form or contact us with any questions you have on:
learning@thecharterhouse.org or call us on 0203 818 8873
The Charterhouse is a contemporary almshouse and a fascinating heritage site in the heart of London. Our residents, known as ‘Brothers’ although no longer exclusively men, are at the heart of our community and call the Charterhouse their home. They are beneficiaries of a charity established in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, the spirit of which is still enacted today.
The history of the Charterhouse however dates to the era of the Black Death in 1348, when land which is now Charterhouse Square was leased as an emergency cemetery for victims of the plague. Sir Walter Manny, a Baron and former soldier who came to the court of Edward III from Hainault, now in France, paid for the lease and later the building of a Chapel nearby to pray for their souls. Michael Northburgh, the Bishop of London, had the idea of founding a Carthusian monastery, known as a Charterhouse, in London, having been impressed by one he visited in Paris. Sir Walter Manny was also involved in sponsoring the monastery, and after Northburgh’s death he went on to found what became the impressive and well-respected London Charterhouse in 1371 on land adjacent to the emergency cemetery.
The monastery thrived for many years, but with the Reformation under Henry VIII, the Prior and 15 monks were martyred and the Charterhouse was dissolved and confiscated by the Crown. For a while it was used as a store, including for Henry VIII’s tents, and lodgings. In 1545, Sir Edward North the new owner of the Charterhouse began building a grand Tudor mansion using and adapting the buildings of the former monastery. The mansion passed through the ownership of several wealthy noblemen most notably Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk. Amongst the many elite guests entertained during this period were Elizabeth I, who stayed just before her coronation in 1558 and met her first Privy Council in the Great Chamber, and James I (James VI of Scotland) who also stayed prior to his coronation and created 130 new knights in the Great Chamber.
In 1611, a ‘commoner’ Thomas Sutton bought the Charterhouse and proceeded to establish the foundation that still bears his name and was in its day the wealthiest charity in Europe. Sutton wished to use the Charterhouse to provide for a home for up to 80 gentlemen: “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” and a school for 40 “poor boys”. The school grew and evolved and eventually left the site and moved to Godalming in Surrey in 1872, becoming the Charterhouse school known today. Meanwhile the almshouse remains on the site, and while the residents still eat communally in the Great Hall as they would have done in the 17th century, much has changed in the intervening years.
Further facts:
• Thomas More studied at the Charterhouse when it was a Carthusian monastery and considered joining the order.
• From James I onwards, the monarch has always been a royal Governor of the Charterhouse
• Historic Governors include Oliver Cromwell, the first Duke of Wellington, Judge Jeffries, John Dunne, the Duke of Monmouth and Robert Peel.
• Cleric and Theologian John Wesley and Vanity Fair author William Makepeace Thackeray were pupils of the school when it was based at the Charterhouse.
• The Charterhouse school team played football in the long and narrow Norfolk Cloister, and this is said to have contributed to the creation of several Football Association rules, including the off-side rule.
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
The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 6AN
Clerkenwell, London
We are located between the Barbican and Smithfield Market in Charterhouse Square, London EC1.
Nearest London Underground stations are Barbican and Farringdon: Elizabeth Line (Barbican exit at Farringdon) Circle & Hammersmith and City Line.
Rail: Thameslink at Farringdon.
Buses 4, 56, 153 (all stop at Barbican Station).
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