The Charterhouse

We really love this photo taken in Preacher's Court by Nick Guttridge, which perfectly captures the beauty and stillness at the Charterhouse on a sunny day. Even in the heart of London, centuries of history have a way of slowing things down.

From Monastic Brews to Afternoon Tea

While the medieval monks brewed their own, and 17th-century Brothers petitioned the Governors about the quality of their daily ration, today we are more likely to consume our beer in cake form.

Read our latest blog for a taste of Charterhouse history - complete with our Kitchen team's recipe for Guinness & Chocolate Cake. Link in first comment.

We are delighted to introduce our new Preacher, the Revd Jennifer Midgley-Adam.

Jennifer brings a deep commitment to community and a ministry which reflects this. She joins us from St Peter's Eaton Square and formerly All Hallows-by-the-Tower, and as part of her broader ministry, she serves as Chaplain to the City of London Sea and Royal Marine Cadets.

Jennifer shares: "I am excited to be joining The Charterhouse and look forward to becoming part of its life and community alongside all those who live, work, and visit there."

She will be starting at the Charterhouse this August, and we look forward to giving her a very warm welcome to our community.

Justin from our Gardening team and lovely resident Brian are officially ready for the sunshine- proving that sun safety is always in style!

Have a brilliant, sunny weekend, everyone - don't forget your sunscreen and your favourite hat!

Summer is just around the corner, our courtyard gardens are heading into full bloom and bookings are now open for our Summertime Garden Tours!

Led by an expert member of our Horticulture team, these tours offer an insight into the heritage and contemporary life of our site through the lens of the changing .

Join us to explore:
Living History: The unique heritage rooted in our grounds.
Stewardship: The daily care required to keep these gardens thriving for our community.
Conservation: Our work with local partners to protect biodiversity and adapt to climate change.

Whether you are a keen gardener or a history enthusiast, we invite you to come and discover more about our gardens.

Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (9 June – 25 August)
Follow the link in the first comment to book your tour.

Photo (c) Nick Guttridge

We are loving these gorgeous close-ups taken by our resident Tim. He managed to perfectly catch the raindrops on this and after the recent rainfall, and they are somehow rather meditative.

A beautiful reminder of how lucky we are to have such a vibrant garden (and talented residents!) here at the Charterhouse.

Ever wondered how we got our name?

It traces back to the 14th century, and a knight and courtier named .

From the county of Hainault, now in modern day France (part of the Holy Roman Empire at the time), Manny was an influential figure. During the Black Death, he leased the land that is now Charterhouse Square from neighbouring Augustinian monastery St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield to serve as an emergency burial ground.

Later, he helped found a monastery for the order on the site, which became the London Charterhouse. The name is actually an English take on "Chartreuse," the region in France where the order first began.

Today, Sir Walter's grave lies in our Chapel Court. It is positioned exactly where the high altar of the medieval monastic church once stood—marking the very heart of the legacy he left behind.

Photo (c) Nick Guttridge

Forget the tragedy, this is like you’ve never seen it before!

Join Handlebards at the Charterhouse on Tuesday, 14 July for a high-octane, hilarious take on the Scottish Play. Expect mishaps, mayhem, and zero tears.

6:00 PM: Doors open for picnics in our beautiful Norfolk Garden.
7:00 PM: Performance starts in the Master’s Court.
Pop-up bar: Drinks available to purchase

This is an outdoor, unseated event, so pack your blankets, your favourite chairs, and your sense of adventure! Plus, the production is environmentally sustainable, delivered to us by electric van.

For tickets head to the What's On section of our website, link in first comment.

Another fantastic photo by resident Tim.

We love how the sun seems to settle directly within the petals, making the tulip appear almost incandescent and otherworldly against the backdrop of the Great Hall.

Upcoming music in the Chapel:

Thursday 14 May: Ascension Day Choral Evensong with Pegasus Choir – 5:30pm
Sunday 31 May: Choral Evensong with Symbel Choir – 4:00pm

Everyone is welcome. Entry through the gatehouse.

You can find out about Chapel Music at any time by checking the What’s On page of our website.