Freemasons Hall, London — Attraction in London

Not being a Freemason myself, I'm not sure what I was expecting before we arrived - what we were met with was a surprisingly open welcome, and active encouragement to learn more about the origins and activities of this organisation. No judgement or exclusion, no weirdness or obligation, it really was an enjoyable visit.

The building itself is an impressive, albeit imposing, monument to the tradition of masonry, very impressive inside, with a grand central staircase and lots of dark wood and lush carpets.

The welcome desk at the entrance to the building was manned by one of the friendliest security guys I've ever met (they just had to check my backpack before entry), and the museum is free to enter and full of interesting artefacts, documents, and details of masonic imagery and practices.

There is a gift shop upstairs, selling masonic books, regalia, souvenirs, and other non-masonic items (mostly London related souvenirs) - they also sell tickets for tours of the Masonic temple itself, but we didn't opt for this on this occasion.

There is a library half way through the free museum, and the organisation encourages people to book time at one of the desks (for free) and access their library of masonic and anti-masonic literature - they do not shy away from the latter either, hosting a small display of anti-masonic books on the first desk of the library room. They also have computers that are set up so you can search for family history, without the need to book a space (as far as I could tell).

There is also a pretty nice cafe and a bar downstairs, in a big, beautiful room with comfy seating - this room was alive with conversation and laughter. There is also information available throughout the building for those interested in joining, although this is not pushed or forced in any way, just available if you want to take a leaflet, for example.

Overall, it was well worth a visit! If you are reading reviews to decide whether to visit or not, I would encourage you to do so - despite the obvious presence of members of freemasonry, particularly in the cafe and bar, we did not feel unwelcome or out of place - the worst thing I felt was ignorance, having not known much about freemasonry beforehand, but they are offering a free opportunity to learn about what it is they actually do and why.

Satisfy your curiosity, and enjoy a welcoming visit to the centre of British...

A horrible experience. Google Maps said the place closed at 7:30 pm, but when he arrived (6:30 pm) it was already closed. Only one part and one bar remained open. After seeing the bar, I went up the stairs, since it was open, and I could see a room with the kings of the UK who were Freemasons. In fact, there was a continuous door to that room that said "closed space for visitors), so I went to the other wing of the building. There were some gentlemen having dinner, I was looking at the figures in the windows, when one got up and asked me if I was lost. I tell him “no, I am visiting the grand lodge”. He tells me “okay, but this is a private event”. I tell him I'm sorry, and I hear him tell the waiter to “show him downstairs and tell the receptionist that he came up”. I take the elevator to go down with the camararo and I apologize again, telling him that I didn't know he could go that way. He told me “It’s ok, they are horrible people. I hate working with there." I go downstairs and he tells me I can go to the bar, I thanked him and told him I was leaving. However, he approached the receptionist and told him what happened. The man at the reception turned pale and got angry with me. I told him that he only told me that the museum was closed, how was he going to know that the other side was also if there was no rope or sign? I also apologized to him and he literally asked me to leave the building. The truth was that it was a disappointment, I expected the English freemasons to be...

The Freemason muesum Is a nice place to visit the nearest tube station 🚉 Covent Garden roads nearby Druy Lane & Long Acre I chose to visit on a Saturday, no waiting time, but I did manage to arrive a little early before the museum open. No problem I direct to the coffee tea area, by reception security, which had bar The wasn't open as it was 10am any check the time table to find out what's open You can look around the museum and take photos of the library area The Kent room You could look into the room but was able to get in, so you had to look at it from behind a barrier You are encouraged to buy user guides, which explains what you are viewing the bonus perk is you get to go into the grand hall It cost £5 for the add extra to be fair getting the guide was worth the money if not for you no problem but you won't be able to enter into the hall you are give a pass where touch to gain entry The hall is quite spectacular to view I did notice some people Didn't have a user guide And still got in to be fair. I wasn't bothered as it's nice to be guided to explain what you are viewing It took me two hours to look around as I enjoyed taking photos Most people it should take 1 or 45 minutes depending on how you view the muesum I would recommend that it's a free place to look around. Please check what's at the Freemason...