As the Open House Festival 2023 approaches, visitors to London’s renowned Freemasons’ Hall are in for an extraordinary experience. From the 9th to the 10th of September, the venue opens its doors to the public, offering a weekend filled with fascinating exhibits, Special Interest Lodges, exclusive tours, and more.
Steeped in history and built as a peace memorial to Freemasons who bravely fell in World War One (WW1), Freemasons’ Hall stands as a finest example of art deco architecture. It is highly recommended that visitors do not miss the exclusive opportunity to explore parts of Freemasons’ Hall rarely seen by the public. On Sunday, limited behind the scenes tours to the second and third floor will be available at 11am, 2pm, and 4pm. The tour capacity is for only 20 fortunate people, as places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The highlight of these tours is the awe-inspiring Lodge Room No. 10, affectionately known as the Egyptian Room, a meeting place for some of London’s largest Lodges.
How about visiting the glorious Grand Temple? The weekend at Freemasons’ Hall presents a chance to witness the magnificence of the Grand Temple and enjoy an engaging short film on Freemasonry. In addition, visitors will gain insights into the practice of modern-day Freemasonry and witness how the historical building still serves its original purpose to this day. Throughout the weekend, visitors can engage with Freemasons wearing masonic regalia, offering a personal touch to their experience.
The public will also have the unique opportunity to meet Freemasons from Special Interest Lodges, including those dedicated to Science Fiction and Fantasy, historical masonic plays in authentic costume, Whisky Lodge, Military Lodge, and Formula One Lodge. This is a chance to experience the rich diversity and traditions that Freemasonry encompasses.
The Women Freemasons will be present for the whole weekend and the public will have a chance to chat with members of Freemasonry for Women, who will be present in the stunning vestibules to discuss female Freemasonry and its significance.
Families can embark on a captivating children’s trail, exploring the breathtaking architecture of the building and marveling at the beautiful scenes depicted within the stunning stained-glass windows. Children can also create their own Bright Bricks figures of dragons, thrones, and unicorns, all inspired by the Hall’s architecture.
The visit also includes an unveiling of the rich heritage at the Museum of Freemasonry. The Museum of Freemasonry will be open during the festival, showcasing one of the world’s largest collections of artefacts related to Freemasonry. People will witness historical treasures, including Winston Churchill’s apron and the Grand Throne crafted for the future King George IV, who served as Grand Master from 1790 to 1813.
Hungry explorers can take advantage of a 10% discount in the Bar & Café at Freemasons’ Hall. In addition to the cake and hot drink deal for only £4.80, Gin Punch 1723 cocktail or Pear and Rosemary Gin Fizz cocktail will be available for only £ 9.50.
Visitors can also visit the Shop at Freemasons Hall where they will find a wide range of gifts and memorabilia inspired by the Museum, Art Deco, and Freemasonry.
Days: 09-10 September 2023
Hours: 10:00am to 5:30pm (last entry 5:00pm)
Local: Freemasons’ Hall
Address: 60 Great Queen St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5AZ
Website: www.ugle.org.uk/freemasons-hall/events/open-house-london-2022
