Two Temple Place
Two Temple Place
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Two Temple Place and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Trafalgar Square / Embankment
With its iconic Nelson’s Column, majestic oversized lions and brightly-lit fountains, Trafalgar Square is not just considered the heart of this bustling London hub, but the very core of the city itself. Beyond this esteemed gathering place are more famous icons, as well as a disproportionate numbers of the city’s most popular cultural attractions including the National Gallery and many West End theaters. Along the way to these major sites are quiet lanes and antiquated pubs to discover, as well as riverside vistas to enjoy on the embankment. With a calendar full of celebratory events, any time of year is a fine time to visit.
How to get there
- Temple • 2 min walk
- Blackfriars • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,810 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- hilary dLondon, United Kingdom800 contributionsTwo Temple Place 11.2.23We love visiting Two Temple Place,its a while since our last visit,pre covid,I think! We were here for the glass exhibition which was very interesting,I love the stained glass windows and also some of the more unusual exhibits,the pyrex dish amused me as we have an identical one at home! We have been to the Stained Glass museum in Ely and will continue enjoying this unique art form!Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 February 2024
- Robert D4,364 contributionsBeautiful art in a historic buildingTwo Temple Place is a historic building. They are open only three months a year, when they have an art exhibition. This year's exhibition is "The Glass Heart: Art, Industry, & Collaboration". It featured different types of glassware. There is a piece of stained glass titled "Expulsion from Paradise - Adam and Eve Before God". It was designed by Christopher Whall ca. 1880 and was originally in St. Etheldreda's Roman Catholic Church in London. I was amazed by the model of the ship Endeavour inside a glass bottle. It was made in the 1980s by Litchfield Glass. (Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770 while on this ship.) The "Chair from Half-Life" was made in 2017 by Elliot Walker from uranium hot sculpted glass. In a work of stained glass by Pinkie Maclure titled "The Soil", the urinating female gardener is replenishing the topsoil that is fast being dangerously depleted. It was an interesting exhibit.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 12 May 2024
- KAW687London, United Kingdom2,592 contributionsGreat free place to visit in LondonAlthough it is only open to the public for part of the year this is a great place to visit. It has thoughtfully curated exhibitions in a really beautiful building. The glass heart exhibition this year was especially interesting. The stained glass windows and the wood carving on the staircase are worth seeing even without the exhibitions. There is a very good cafe and a really tempting shop.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 September 2024
- ARTJPLLondon, United Kingdom360 contributionsLondon Open House FestivalWonderfully supported by multiple volunteers, this year’s festival welcomed so many visitors. Will look to visit again as schedule did not allow sufficient time to fully appreciate. The building seems to be open for exhibitions but the exhibits may distract from the building itself. Stained glass windows, gorgeous staircase topped off with beautiful carved wood panels, must visit when it’s open.Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 29 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
223 reviews
Excellent
158
Very good
56
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Clive W
Orpington1,956 contributions
Mar 2020
The current annual exhibition at 2 Temple Place is called “Unbound”. It is free entry, so an opportunity to view this amazing house if you have not visited before. Having been many times previously, the exhibition was of more importance to me than the architecture of the building.
The exhibition explores stories of 7 “visionary” women who collected textiles. There are also some contemporary artworks. I had not heard of these women before. On display are examples of Balkan costumes, period clothes and various textiles. I admired the altar cloth embroidered by recuperating WW1 soldiers. I did not find the other exhibits particularly enthralling or unusual. The library area was very disappointing and included a display of china which seemed out of place. I was underwhelmed by the exhibition.
When I visited there was a school party. Although the children were well behaved, the number of children milling about was distracting and obviously they created extra noise. There were also adults drawing, mainly in the Hall upstairs, so the exhibition was busy.
In conclusion, visit the exhibition if you wish to see the house but do not make a special effort to visit the exhibition.
The exhibition explores stories of 7 “visionary” women who collected textiles. There are also some contemporary artworks. I had not heard of these women before. On display are examples of Balkan costumes, period clothes and various textiles. I admired the altar cloth embroidered by recuperating WW1 soldiers. I did not find the other exhibits particularly enthralling or unusual. The library area was very disappointing and included a display of china which seemed out of place. I was underwhelmed by the exhibition.
When I visited there was a school party. Although the children were well behaved, the number of children milling about was distracting and obviously they created extra noise. There were also adults drawing, mainly in the Hall upstairs, so the exhibition was busy.
In conclusion, visit the exhibition if you wish to see the house but do not make a special effort to visit the exhibition.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clive W
Orpington1,956 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
This review is specifically related to the exhibition on "The Glass Heart: Art Industry and Collaboration"
My friend and I visited on a Friday morning and a queue had formed for the 11 a.m. opening. There were so many visitors it was difficult to view the displays and read the notices. We decided to start at the end and work backwards in the hope of there being fewer visitors, but this strategy did not work as more people kept arriving. A guide told us it was quieter after 3 p.m.
We both hoped to see some beautiful glass, but we were disappointed. There are some worthwhile exhibits showing the Great Exhibition (Crystal Palace), stained glass window designs by the art/craft movement, 4 cut glass wine glasses, glass looking like Wedgewood pottery and ships in bottles. There are a couple of videos, if there is space to see them. The Great Hall and staircase well have glass art by modern designers, most of whom have a political/social message. We did not find these modern designs appealing. This is glass art with a “message” which needed to be explained. One huge design showed a woman urinating. Hardly the beauty we hoped for.
I was unable to discern a rationale behind what had been selected for display. The items seemed random. The notices were often positioned so one had to crouch down to read them.
2 Temple Place is an amazing building, so it is worth going to the exhibition just to see the building. We had both been several times before so the building was not new to us.
My friend and I visited on a Friday morning and a queue had formed for the 11 a.m. opening. There were so many visitors it was difficult to view the displays and read the notices. We decided to start at the end and work backwards in the hope of there being fewer visitors, but this strategy did not work as more people kept arriving. A guide told us it was quieter after 3 p.m.
We both hoped to see some beautiful glass, but we were disappointed. There are some worthwhile exhibits showing the Great Exhibition (Crystal Palace), stained glass window designs by the art/craft movement, 4 cut glass wine glasses, glass looking like Wedgewood pottery and ships in bottles. There are a couple of videos, if there is space to see them. The Great Hall and staircase well have glass art by modern designers, most of whom have a political/social message. We did not find these modern designs appealing. This is glass art with a “message” which needed to be explained. One huge design showed a woman urinating. Hardly the beauty we hoped for.
I was unable to discern a rationale behind what had been selected for display. The items seemed random. The notices were often positioned so one had to crouch down to read them.
2 Temple Place is an amazing building, so it is worth going to the exhibition just to see the building. We had both been several times before so the building was not new to us.
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clive W
Orpington1,956 contributions
Feb 2022
Booking was required but when I visited it was not checked. The exhibition is called “Body Vessel Clay”. It “examines gender and race” and “explores clay disrupted and reimagined by black women”. This seems to me to be topical and meet a “woke” agenda. Among the pottery on show were pots by Nigerian Ladi Kwali, some of which are large and attractively glazed and decorated. Upstairs, in the Great Hall, there was little to see. A film of a naked woman gathering earth was strange and pointless. Overall, I felt the objects on show were sparse.
My visit coincided with a school party. The children were beautifully behaved, but the guide (teacher?) had a very loud, penetrating voice which was disruptive for visitors. I left the room she was in to get some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, it is a small exhibition and I encountered her and her voice again in the Great Hall!
I have visited Temple Place previously, but still marvel at the architecture. It is worth visiting to see the interior of the building, even if the exhibition is disappointing. I enjoyed previous exhibitions much more. The café is closed.
My visit coincided with a school party. The children were beautifully behaved, but the guide (teacher?) had a very loud, penetrating voice which was disruptive for visitors. I left the room she was in to get some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, it is a small exhibition and I encountered her and her voice again in the Great Hall!
I have visited Temple Place previously, but still marvel at the architecture. It is worth visiting to see the interior of the building, even if the exhibition is disappointing. I enjoyed previous exhibitions much more. The café is closed.
Written 10 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CheekyLondon
Southend-on-Sea, UK1,669 contributions
Sept 2021
I went here on Open House Weekend 2021. You had to book, but it was well worth the effort. This is the former office of Lord Astor, of Waldorf Hotel fame. He had this place as his offices for 40 years and then sold it, and it has since had a variety of uses since. The artefacts etc are not in place, but the fabric and interior decoration is remarkably intact, despite bomb damage during WW2. It is truly luxury at it's peak and the stained glass atrium is beautiful, as is the wood panelling throughout. Lots of interesting things observe and you can spend over an hour looking round. There is a shop and in it an interesting array of things to buy. The exterior of the building is stunning too and in a lovely location, jut off the Embankment. It was free to visit.
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
solenodon_joe
London, UK242 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Recommended to me by a friend, really enjoyed my visit. A hidden jewel in plain sight! Wonderful building but an intriguing history. Only open from January to April, visit the place you won't regret it
Written 6 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fudge03
Sussex, England1,175 contributions
Mar 2022
Went to the exhibition BODY, VESSEL CLAY which was beautiful in this setting. It was an interesting mix of modern and contemporary work, though not quite as radical as one might think from the publicity - the modern work from the 1950s on was extraordinary, the contemporary work upstairs perhaps not quite so special. Beautifully laid out with good interpretation. The volunteer invigilators are better briefed on the building that the work.
Written 3 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marion M
Watford, UK87 contributions
Feb 2020
The house was built 1892-95 for William Waldorf Astor - his office as opposed to residence. No expense was spare and all his loves from literature were represented. Beautiful floor in the Hall - just like Italian Cathedrals.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClanCat
Suffolk127 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Popped into the "Unbound" exhibition on the recommendation of a friend. It was interesting enough, though rather small. Some lovely pieces in it, and some unusual items in the small gift shop.
But we were blown away by the building! Go if you can, look at the detail, and talk to the lovely staff, who knew a lot and couldn't have been more helpful. (Big thank you to them!)
Hope to get back again in the Open House weekend to see it without the window shades that all the delicate exhibition textiles required.
But we were blown away by the building! Go if you can, look at the detail, and talk to the lovely staff, who knew a lot and couldn't have been more helpful. (Big thank you to them!)
Hope to get back again in the Open House weekend to see it without the window shades that all the delicate exhibition textiles required.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York4,364 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Two Temple Place is a historic building. They are open only three months a year, when they have an art exhibition. This year's exhibition is "The Glass Heart: Art, Industry, & Collaboration". It featured different types of glassware. There is a piece of stained glass titled "Expulsion from Paradise - Adam and Eve Before God". It was designed by Christopher Whall ca. 1880 and was originally in St. Etheldreda's Roman Catholic Church in London. I was amazed by the model of the ship Endeavour inside a glass bottle. It was made in the 1980s by Litchfield Glass. (Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770 while on this ship.) The "Chair from Half-Life" was made in 2017 by Elliot Walker from uranium hot sculpted glass. In a work of stained glass by Pinkie Maclure titled "The Soil", the urinating female gardener is replenishing the topsoil that is fast being dangerously depleted. It was an interesting exhibit.
Written 12 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
55mo55
London, UK248 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Have been looking forward to seeing this for months. Outside a lovely building topped off with a magnificent weather vane, inside a woodwork lovers dream. Beautiful and so tactile, what is particularly amazing is that it has gone through so many changes of use. This would normally mean disaster for the internal fittings, but congratulations to the various owners for not destroying what is just lovely
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is Two Temple Place Open between Sept 10th through October 10th 2019?
Written 28 August 2019
Two Temple Place is only open to the public when there is an exhibition on. The rest of the time it is hired out for special occasions e.g. Wedding Receptions.
Written 4 September 2019
i walk with the help of a walking stick and manage the stairs at home. Are there many staircases and are they steep and long at 2Temple Place? I missed the jazz exhibition too 'cos of this uncertainty.I'd love to see the Ruskin exhibition.Thank you
Written 17 February 2019
Sorry, only just viewed your message. There are loads of steps, unfortunately. Hope you managed to visit and enjoyed theb
Written 19 March 2019
Is the entry fee free and if not how much is the price?
Written 8 May 2018
Yes, admission is free, but as another traveller has said, they do ask for voluntary donations though not in any aggressive sort of way. Fabulous venue with great exhibitions.
Written 9 May 2018
HOLA! Casualmente estaríamos visitando Londres en la pxma. fecha de una Exposición en Two Temple Place ( 25 al 27 de Octubre 2017) INK FAIR LONDON - Rare Books and Art y quisiera saber si la entrada es libre y gratuita y si hay que reservar con antelación. Y recibo todas las sugerencias y comentarios que deseen hacer sobre el lugar que por cierto parece IMPRESIONANTE. Muchas gracias! Aracelli desde Buenos Aires, Argentina saluda a toda la Comunidad de Trip Advisor!.
Written 20 August 2017
I will be going there in April for the 1st time. From the website, it seems admission is free & no pre-booking.
Written 10 February 2019
just was wondering are you also able to tour the house or only the exhibit area's> and you dont have to be a member to view? their website is a wee bit confusing.
Written 27 February 2017
The house is only open when an exhibition is on and for certain other days such as Open House weekends. The exhibition takes up most of the house so there is no separate house tour on offer. Private offices also take up some of the space but the main attractions such as the carved woodwork in the stairwell and the stained glass windows are both accessible.
Written 1 March 2017
Showing results 1-6 of 6
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing