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Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA; Tel: 020 7739 9893
View of the Geffrye Museum from the Herb Garden
The Geffrye is one of London's most friendly and enjoyable museums. Its setting is in the former almshouses of the Ironmongers Company, beautiful early 18th-century buildings. It is surrounded by delightful gardens, which include an award-winning herb garden and a series of period garden rooms showing the changing styles of town gardens over the past 400 years. These outdoor spaces offer a tranquil sanctuary, less than a mile from the City of London.
The Geffrye explores the home over the past 400 years, from around 1600 to the present day. Our focus is on the living rooms of the urban middle classes in England, particularly in London. We aim to show how homes have been used and furnished over this period, reflecting changes in society and patterns of behaviour as well as style, fashion and taste.
An exciting programme of special exhibitions on a range of topics relating to the Geffrye's main themes runs throughout the year. We also have a restored 18th-century almshouse, which has been taken back to its original condition and offers a rare glimpse into the lives of London's poor and elderly in the 1780s and 1880s. Groups can pre-book tours of the almshouses on the first and third Wednesday of the month (maximum of 10 people per tour).
We provide a brief history of the Geffrye from its beginnings as almshouses erected in 1714 through its transformation in the 20th century to a museum showing the decorative styles and tastes of the English middle classes. After your introduction, you will be free to explore the rest of the museum on your own. Time: 20 minutes. For groups up to 30, cost: £20.00. For groups over 30, cost: £35.00
If you would like more than an introductory welcome, we can offer a choice of talks outlined below, given by museum staff with specialist knowledge, on themes and subjects relating to the Geffrye’s collection, buildings, gardens and special exhibitions. Time: Approximately 1 hour. For groups up to 52, cost: £4.00 per person, minimum charge £40.00
A general lecture on the museum, including the history of the almshouses, how the collections were formed in the early years of the century and how the museum has recently developed its displays and gardens. A popular lecture which provides a full overview suitable for most groups.
A slightly more specialist talk than the general lecture, this provides a social context for the decorative arts and explores the changing values of the urban middle-classes as expressed in their homes. It gives a broad view of the changing decorative trends in urban middle-class homes in London from 1600 to the present day.
This talk provides an in-depth history of the building and administration of the Geffrye almshouses and the living conditions of its residents in the 18th and 19th centuries, drawing on recent research which informed the restoration of one of the almshouses.
Special talks can be arranged on themes relating to the current exhibitions or particular aspects of the museum, gardens or its collections. The Bookings Officer will be pleased to discuss this with you.
This talk provides a fascinating background to the museum's annual Christmas Past exhibition, in which the period rooms are decorated in authentic historic style, and the meanings behind our seasonal traditions and customs are explored and explained.
All the above are subject to the availability of staff, and are not offered at weekends or Bank Holidays. You are advised to book well in advance.
Groups can book to visit our restored historic almshouse on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The almshouse has been restored to its original condition, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of London’s poor and elderly in the 1780s and 1880s. Timed entries at 11am, 12 noon, 2pm, 3pm and (4pm May-September). £2 per person. Maximum of 16 people per tour.
All groups must book in advance. Space is limited in the museum and we can help you avoid the busiest days. You should allow at least 2 hours to see everything and have time to visit the gardens, shop and restaurant; if you are attending a lecture, you may wish to allow more time.
When you have read through the information on the preceding pages, please ring the Information and Bookings Officer on 020 7739 9893 to discuss details of your proposed visit. Once the basic arrangements have been agreed, we will send a booking form for you to complete and return. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until we have received written acknowledgement from you. We hope you enjoy your visit.
General admission to the museum and gardens is free.
Payment for lecture and introductory talk should be made on the day. Payment for all food and drink should be settled with the restaurant during your visit.
More than two weeks’ notice in writing No Charge
Less than two weeks’ notice in writing 50% fee
Less than 48 hours notice in writing 100% fee
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays 12noon-5pm
Herb garden and period garden rooms open 1 April to 31 October during museum hours
Closed Mondays (unless Bank Holiday), Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day
