Museum of the Order of St John
St John's Gate
St John's Lane
London
Greater London
EC1M 4DA
England
Website
Telephone
020 7324 4005
Fax
020 7336 0587
Built in 1504 and steeped in history, St John’s Gate was the entrance to the Priory of the Order of St John, the English Headquarters of the crusading Knights Hospitallers, from 1140 until Henry VIII’s reign. It is now the headquarters of the Venerable Order of St John (a British Royal Order of Chivalry, founded in the nineteenth century) and was the birthplace of its two charities, St John Ambulance and the Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.
The Museum’s diverse collections explore all aspects of the Order’s history and include rare manuscripts, silver and armour, as well as historic First Aid equipment and memorabilia from St John’s role in the First and Second World Wars. The collections are presented in completely new galleries, opening to the public in November 2010.
The Museum occupies two sites in Clerkenwell, London: St John’s Gate, the entrance to the former Priory of the Knights of St John, which dates from 1504; and the Priory Church of St John, Clerkenwell with its surviving twelfth century Crypt.
Visitors can also join guided tours (on Tuesdays, Friday and Saturdays at 11 and 2.30) of the Gate and Grand Priory Church and its 12th Century Crypt.
Venue Type:
Archive, Library, Museum
Additional info
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the Museum buildings are as accessible as possible, due to limitations resulting from their
Grade 1 Listed status, some parts of the building are not accessible for physically disabled visitors.
The main Museum galleries are fully accessible for disabled visitors and are on one level. However, the historic rooms on the upper floors are not wheelchair accessible.
At the Church site, the Crypt is only accessible via a flight of stairs although the rest of the site is equipped with ramps.
The main Museum includes a virtual tour on film, which shows all the upper floor areas of the Museum that are seen on public tours.
A large print guide is currently being developed and available from July 2011.
The Museum is equipped with a First Aid room, which may be used as a changing room for babies.
Please contact Visitor Services on 020 7324 4005 if you would like to discuss your visit.
Collection details
Archaeology, Archives, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Land Transport, Maritime, Medicine, Personalities, Religion, Social History, Weapons and War
Key artists and exhibits
- Objects on display include a bronze cannon given to the Order by Henry VIII; rare armour worn by the Knights when defending Rhodes and Malta; an illuminated charter, depicting Philip II and Mary Tudor, restoring the Order in 1557 and the 15th century Flemish altarpiece from the Priory Church.
- Time to Care includes rare early film and audio recordings of the stories of ordinary members of St John and their extraordinary experiences.
- The Library’s collection of books and manuscripts on the history of the Hospitallers is second only to that held by the National Library of Malta. The St. John Ambulance collection of books and archive is the main source of information about the history of the organisation in this country. Please telephone on 020 7324 4070 if you would like to make an appointment to use this reference library.
Getting there
BY TRAIN: Farringdon (Tube and First Capital Connect trains) is 5 minutes walk
from the Museum.
BY BUS: Farringdon Road (63), Clerkenwell Road (55, 243)
BY CAR: Pay and dispaly parking spaces are available in St John's Square.
(Parking restrictions apply Mon-Fri 9am - 6.30pm, Sat 9am - 1.30pm,
2 hours maximum stay). There are also several NCP car parks within
walking distance.
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