institution/profession, scientific, library
Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry, 1874
Piccadilly, W1J 0BQ
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) moved into Burlington House in 1874. Part of the extension to Burlington House, to provide accommodation for learned societies, the building was refurbished in 2007. The RAS is the oldest astronomical society in the world and has been encouraging and promoting the study of astronomy and geophysics since 1820.
Piccadilly Circus, Green Park
9, 14, 19, 38, 6
There are five steps from the pavement to the door. Whilst there is a lift inside, the building is not accessible to wheelchairs.
Self guided tours across the building, with one room containing an audio visual video. Limited seating available throughout the building.
10:00–12:30
Self Guided Tour of the Building
14:00–16:30
Self-guided tours
We are delighted to welcome visitors to the Royal Astronomical Society for this year's Open House festival. We will be open all day on Saturday 19 September for self-guided tours.
See the architectural features of the building, and learn about the history of astronomy and the Society through self-guided tours, which will include a special display of books, manuscripts and artefacts in our double-height, galleried library. Actors will also bring to life John & Caroline Herschel in the Council Room and there will an audio-visual looped film in the Lecture Theatre.
Morning opening will be from 10am until 1pm (with last entry at 12.30pm) . The building will re-open at 2pm. The last entry for the afternoon will be at 4.30pm with the building shutting at 5pm.
The Royal Astronomical Society moved into Burlington House in 1874. It was founded in 1820. Since its inception it has been promoting the understanding of astronomy and geophysics by organising meetings, publishing research, and maintaining a specialist library and archive, among other activities. The Society originally occupied rooms in Lincoln’s Inn, and later, Somerset House. The Society’s apartments in Burlington House were specially built by the government for the learned societies when they were required to vacate Somerset House. The RAS now shares the courtyard of Burlington House with the premises of five other learned societies: the Linnean Society of London, the Society of Antiquaries, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Geological Society of London, together with the Royal Academy of Arts. The insignia of the Society are traced into the fabric of the building, from the monograms in the entrance hall and lobby to the etchings on the stained glass 'cosmic spiral' window on the first-floor landing. This stunning window was designed and produced by Sally Scott, in association with Nero Designs, when the building was refurbished by Peregrine Bryant Associates in 2007.
