The striking Museum of the Order of St John comes with a fascinating history, telling the story of an ancient religious military order, from its origins caring for sick pilgrims in 11th-century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role with St John Ambulance.
Aside from its colourful history, the venue also offers a number of event spaces, which are available for exclusive hire. Built all the way back in 1504, the museum is full of eye-catching architectural elements and features interiors designed by John Oldrid Scott. Here, you’ll find rooms decorated with paintings dated from the 16th to the 20th centuries, alongside stained glass and antique furniture.
Naturally, such fragile artefacts mean hosting an event here does come without restrictions (no red wine or staining foods in the Museum Galleries and no decorations attached to the walls or floors.) Nonetheless, the venue is well suited to events and is often used for wedding ceremonies or seated lunches and dinners, as well as standing drinks receptions and conferences. The stand-out event space is The Cloister Garden, which is filled with medicinal herbs and plants and acts as a peaceful haven away from the busy streets of Clerkenwell (the museum is near to both Farringdon and Barbican stations, making it easily accessible.)
Given its rich history, party planners often incorporate a private tour of the historic rooms or a short talk on the history of the Order into their event, and you can impress guests by namechecking the venue’s television credits, including its appearance as a filming location for the BBC’s gripping journalism drama Press in 2018.