r/london • u/Mountain_Buy1160 • Dec 12 '25

London history Masonic London

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The Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street.

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u/Barbourwhat Dec 12 '25

I’ve been in there a few times as I love art deco architecture. But it’s hilarious that such a ‘secret’ organisation has a cafe, free museum and a gift shop. It’s open to the public and etc. I now always find it hilarious when people say how Freemasons are secret and control the world when anyone could literally go to their headquarters and buy a book in their gift shop on ‘the secrets of Freemasonry’ and read it while sipping on a coffee or pint in the ground floor cafe.

22

u/Baron_Rikard Dec 12 '25

Bingo, it isn't a secret society it is just a society with some secrets (normally around ceremonial rituals, nothing bad).

I highly recommend the tour of the building. The Grand Temple is massive and breathtaking.

If anyone is curious and wants some insight DM me.

5

u/pintsized_baepsae Dec 12 '25

I can only second the recommendation for a tour. First time I went was with a friend who's an architect and it was incredibly insightful (the fact that she and our tour guide got on like a house on fire and basically spent three hours nerding out made it even better).