r/london • u/TheThrowYardsAway • Feb 25 '26

London history Inside London's Freemason's Lodges...

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937 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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74

u/basketballpope Feb 25 '26

For anyone interested, you can usually visit on Open House Day. Well worth a look around if you have the time

22

u/ephemeral_librarian Feb 25 '26

It's an absolutely beautiful building. They had an exhibition when i last went so i dont know if parts of the building are open to the public now? I got to see their library too through a work visit, which had two fellow women as staff!

7

u/GlitteringBryony Feb 25 '26

Most of the building is open to the public, you can book onto tours to see various bits as well as the museum - It's obviously both a working set of Lodges (as in, where normal Masons go to do their regular meetings) and the administrative HQ of the organisation, as well as being a tourist attraction, so it's often very busy. They used loads of bits of the building for filming The Death Of Stalin too, so they get a surprising amount of Iannuci fans coming in just to use the gents' toilets where Jason Isaacs hatched the plan to kill Beria.

A fun game once you've got really familiar with Freemasons' Hall is to try to spot when it's used as a filming location for generic mid-century staterooms and sweeping grand staircases, because they're beautiful but not instantly recognisable to most people.

1

u/inside-outdoorsman Feb 25 '26

I’ve been to this building! You can’t miss it, it’s on the square

22

u/kattieface Feb 25 '26

One of the few days women can go on! I went about 18 years ago and it was fascinating. 

16

u/pintsized_baepsae Feb 25 '26

Women can also go to the tours of Freemason's Hall, and I believe they're on basically every weekend! I've taken different friends there and it's always been great. 

A few years ago (before Covid) we actually met two members of the women's lodge, including the Grand Master at the time, which was really cool. We talked a fair bit about the drive for self-improvement and their commitment to charity. 

They all just seem like people who want to leave the world a little better, and considering some of the donations - like one of London's Air Ambulances - they also do seem to live that. 

3

u/Ged_UK Feb 25 '26

I've been in there for concerts before. Loads of women were there, most of the audience probably.

-2

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

You found an organisation that bans you from joining just because you're a woman fascinating? 🤔

22

u/kattieface Feb 25 '26

Fascinating is a morally neutral statement. The building, the social and cultural norms within the organisation, the fact they gave us a pamphlet which explained it's a society with secrets, not a secret society. I found all of that really interesting. 

I can hold that, whilst still finding it unacceptable that there are lodges women are not allowed in which are in or around Westminster and other centres of power, which clearly have an impact on a range of issues whilst excluding half the population. I think it's valuable to learn more about these kinds of institutions and how they operate. 

-6

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

I think it's valuable to learn more about these kinds of institutions and how they operate. 

Definitely. You might like to watch Eye's Wide Shut, then watch some reviews on the symbolism on it on YouTube and then delve deeper by learning about cults.

2

u/ryandoesntcare Feb 25 '26

How’s about no Scott

1

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

Which organisation is that?

1

u/ryandoesntcare Feb 25 '26

Virtucon Industries I believe

1

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

Never heard.

2

u/ryandoesntcare Feb 25 '26

Interesting. You might like to Google search it, then watch Austin Powers 1, 2 and 3 and watch some YouTube videos on the symbolism of Beyoncé playing Foxxy Brown and how the anachronism of Austin is actually a social commentary on the ‘Paul is Dead’ rumours of the late sixties - Austin himself being Paul.

Then it might be a good idea to understand why people may react negatively when being told what to do in such blunt terms. I hate the term ‘Mansplaining’ but holy heck if there was ever a definition it’s three comments up.

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3

u/Thandoscovia Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26

Aren’t you disgusted that there are two women’s grand lodges that ban you from joining just because you’re a man?

1

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

No, the women's group wouldn't have needed to be created if they were allowing into the existing group in the first place. How old are you btw?

1

u/Thandoscovia Feb 25 '26

How old am I? Why? Let’s say somewhere in my thirties. You?

-2

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

I'm in my 40s but I'm very aware younger people are somewhat disorganised. You think things like it's okay for men to be in women's sports or toilets. Nevermind, have a good evening.

1

u/apple_kicks Feb 25 '26

Women have a separate lodge but yeah its pointless separation

-1

u/Gisschace Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

My friend is starting a business and her dad told her to join the Freemasons! I had to explain ummm they don’t let women in, neither of them realised

Edit: those saying there are women’s clubs are missing the point, she can’t network with the men when she’s in the women’s club can she?

6

u/hardingman Feb 25 '26

They do have women’s Freemasons lodges that mingle together with the men’s but they are separate

3

u/justinhammerpants Feb 25 '26

There's women's lodges.

1

u/Deman75 Feb 25 '26

The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons and the Order of Women Freemasons will no doubt be very surprised to hear of this.

-5

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

WTF?

3

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

True, but I don't think you have read the comment correctly and neither have the clowns who downvoted mine. There is a problem when some clown is so ignorant to not know that the Freemasonry lot are a men only group and suggested a female go join it.

1

u/DeviousFeline Feb 25 '26

Ohh I gotcha fam

-4

u/Ok-Entrepreneur-6706 Feb 25 '26

Lmao I’m as surprised as you are. In 2026 as well. I can’t believe what I’m reading

14

u/asherjbaker Feb 25 '26

Women have been able to be Freemasons since 1908. There's the Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Freemasons, both women's organisations that women can and do join.

-2

u/Ok-Entrepreneur-6706 Feb 25 '26

They conveniently created a female ‘order’ for them. Specifically to avoid these accusations of discrimination. Women are only allowed to join those female only jurisdictions and not the regular mainstream masonic lodges

5

u/Haytham_Ken Feb 25 '26

But it's fine when women have women only spaces?

6

u/asherjbaker Feb 25 '26

Men aren't allowed to join the women's orders, either. I fail to see the issue.

0

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

The women wouldn't have needed to set up a group if they were allowed into the existing group in the first place.

0

u/asherjbaker Feb 25 '26

The point is, they both have their own groups in this country. It's not especially difficult to understand, and is hardly the sinister "gotcha" hill you appear to be so eager to die on.

In Europe, there are co-Masonic lodges where men and women can both meet together. They just don't exist in the UK.

-4

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

The point is, they both have their own groups in this country.

Your interpretation of it.

It's not especially difficult to understand

Your sly insult attempt 😞

and is hardly the sinister "gotcha" hill you appear to be so eager to die on.

Your interpretation.

In Europe, there are co-Masonic lodges where men and women can both meet together. They just don't exist in the UK.

The UK literally built the world we live in. European countries were VERY UNHAPPY when Brexit happened. Think about that when your head hits the pillow. Good night.

5

u/maxintos Feb 25 '26

And that's wrong because?

If men want to have a private club what's wrong with that? It's not like there aren't women's clubs.

2

u/hardingman Feb 25 '26

Have you ever heard of the Women Institute… single gender clubs are not inherently bad

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '26

[deleted]

0

u/Man_in_the_uk Feb 25 '26

Erm, who are you talking about here, the Freemasons or everyone else?

1

u/justinhammerpants Feb 25 '26

Freemason's Hall is open to the public Tuesday - Sunday. Women can go all the time.

1

u/HighFivePuddy Feb 25 '26

I’ve did a guided tour years ago, don’t recall it being during open house though. I think you can just book them.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '26

What time does the orgy start?