The Museum offers tours covering different aspects of our fascinating history, and accessing different parts of our impressive historic buildings. The tours must be pre-booked via the Museum’s Eventbrite page, and cost £12 per person or £9 with a valid Art Pass. Tours are free of charge to St John Ambulance staff and volunteers. Please contact the Museum at museum@sja.org.uk or on 020 7324 4005 for a promotional code if you are eligible. Information about access is available on the access page of our website.
Islington residents can go on any of our public guided tours for only £1.00. These tickets are not valid for privately booked tours. For more information, please visit our Islington Residents page.
The Lost Priory of the medieval Order of St John
Just beyond the walls of the ancient City of London, the Order’s Priory was a vast and prosperous estate established as the English headquarters of the religious military order known as the Knights Hospitaller. This tour will take you into the church and underground to the remarkable twelfth-century crypt where you will uncover the history of the Order of St John from its origins in Jerusalem through to its dissolution at the hands of King Henry VIII.
Tours will last 45 minutes. This tour does not include the historic rooms upstairs at St John’s Gate. If you would like to visit them, please also book onto one of our other guided tours.
Tours run several times a week and we recommend booking in advance.
A large part of this tour will take place outside so please dress appropriately for the weather.
St John Ambulance: A Victorian Masterpiece
Explore the galleries and spectacular Victorian interiors of St John’s Gate, and discover how St John Ambulance became an international movement through the personal stories of its dedicated women and men. From world wars to royal jubilees, learn about the heroes and innovators who brought first aid to the public and changed the way we think about first response medical care.
Tours will last 45 minutes. This tour does not include the Priory Church and Crypt. If you would like to visit them, please also book onto one of our other guided tours.
Tours run several times a month and we recommend booking in advance.
Knights, Revellers & Saviours: The Many Lives of St John’s Gate
Like many ancient buildings, St John’s Gate and the Norman crypt have had a tumultuous past. These extraordinary medieval structures have survived against the odds because of the varied uses they have served over the centuries. Follow in the footsteps of knight-monks, printers, literati, publicans and philanthropists in a whistle-stop tour through 900 years of history. Learn about the characters who lived, worked and entertained here and how they adapted and re-imagined the buildings to meet their needs.
Tours will last 60 minutes. The tour includes the Priory Church, crypt and historic rooms in St John’s Gate.
Tours run several times a week and we recommend booking in advance.
Private tours
We can organise private tours for groups of 6 or more, including outside of gallery opening hours.
Discounted ArtFund tickets are only valid for groups above 6.
To secure a booking we ask for a deposit of £72 (our minimum charge) to be paid no later than 2 weeks before your tour is due to run. This payment ensures that your booking takes priority for the spaces being used. If this deposit is not received by this time, we will not be able to go ahead with your tour.
Please contact the Museum to make an enquiry on 020 7324 4005 or at museum@sja.org.uk.
Virtual tour
You can watch a virtual tour of the historic buildings before you visit.
Museum of the Order of St John from newangle on Vimeo.
A silent visual tour of this fascinating Museum dedicated to the 1000 years of the Order of St John.