In its 500th anniversary the usually closed to outsiders home of Trinity House will be open to the general public to have a look around.
It is open occasionally — such as sometimes during Open House weekend, or if you ever manage to get a prized slot on the few tours they arrange.
So a chance to see inside is something few have been able to do.
Originally founded by King Henry VIII in 1514 to manage shipping safety along the Thames, what is today Trinity House was officially called (deep breath!)… “The Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity, and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford-Strond in the County of Kent.”
They long decamped from Deptford to the City though — and the current building was constructed in the 1790s, and largely restored following the unexpected intervention of a German bomb in December 1940.
It is therefore within a fairly grand building of the city livery companies style, and I managed to grab one of the rare tours last year, and can heartily recommend paying a visit.
And pay a visit you can — on an open day being held on Saturday 17th May 2014. Put it in your diaries now as you will probably struggle to see inside on any other day.
There’s no guided tours — just turn up between 10am-3pm and wander around freely.
Entry is free, and the building is next to Tower Hill tube station.
thank you