Where: Foster
Lane, EC2
What: Positioned
at the junction of Foster Lane and Gresham Street, north east
of St. Paul's Cathedral, the magnificent Goldsmiths Hall, opened
in 1835, is one of London's hidden treasures. An 1835 (William
IV) Renaissance building rebuilt by Philip Hardwick, containing
portraits and an impressive
collection of silver and jewellery. Although this
building only dates from the 1830s, inside the Court Room is
panelled with the original panelling
from the 1669 hall.
The current
Hall is the third on this site, the Goldsmiths' Company has been
located
here since
1339.
Little is known of the first Hall but the second was erected
in 1634-6 and restored after the Great Fire of 1666. It lasted
for almost two centuries, but was eventually demolished in
the late 1820s. The Hall narrowly escaped
complete
destruction when in 1941 a bomb exploded inside the south-west
corner. Faithfully restored on the exterior after the War and
internally modified, it retains much of the charm of an urban
palazzo.
Home
of the Goldsmiths’ Company, one of the twelve Great Livery
Companies of the City of London. Since 1281 a jury containing
several goldsmiths has been responsible for the 'Trial of the
Pyx', the testing of newly minted coins and from 1870 this
has been held annually at Goldsmiths’ Hall. Gold and silver are assayed and
hallmarked here, but the Assay Office is not open to the public.
The Company possesses one
of the most representative collections of antique plate in the country, a notable
example being the coronation cup of Queen Elizabeth I.
Nearest
underground station: St.
Paul’s
Opening
times: Except
during exhibitions, the Hall is not open to the public. However,
a number of open days are held during the year when guided tours
of the Hall are arranged.
The tours
take place between 12 noon and 2.00pm and last approximately
one hour. Each tour can accommodate
up to 50 people and is free of charge.
For tour dates
see the hall page of the goldsmiths website below.
Admission: free
Website: thegoldsmiths.co.uk/hall/
London
Hotels (these links are to another website)