St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John

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St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John

Knights in shining armour

St John's Lane
Clerkenwell
London, London EC1M 4DA
+44 20 7324 4070
http://www.sja.org.uk/museum/

St. John's Gate is the headquarters of the British Order of St. John - a religious military regiment that spent the 11th century caring for the needy in Jerusalem, and which is best known today for the St John Ambulance Service. In the museum you can learn about their history in detail, but it is the building itself that is most fascinating, revealing many aspects of London-life through the ages. Built in 1504 for an order of knights, the gate was a coffee house and then a public house before becoming the offices of the Gentleman's Magazine in the 18th century, giving it links with literary luminaries such as Samuel Johnson. A guided tour will get you access to all the best bits, including the Grand Priory Church with its surviving Norman crypt, and the Chapter Hall, designed in 1902 and sporting many coats of arms and stained glass windows.

Review © 2009, Wcities

St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John photo by Luke Robinson

St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John Photo: Luke Robinson

St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John photo by Jim Livesey

St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John Photo: Jim Livesey

St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John photo by Serene Luo

St. John's Gate and the Museum of the Order of St John Photo: Serene Luo