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Bishopsgate Institute

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230 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4QH
020 7392 9200enquiries@bishopsgate.org.uk

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Copyright © 2021 Bishopsgate Foundation. Registered Charity No: 1090923. Website by Supercool
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About

Bishopsgate Institute was "erected for the benefit of the public" in 1894, with the motto "I never stop learning". Our purpose has not changed.

We continue to be home for ideas and debate, learning and enquiry. We are a haven in the city, where culture, heritage and learning meet, and our mission is to inspire independent thought, connect past and present.

Our beautiful historic building is open to all, and we are vibrant, curious community. We provide welcoming spaces for people to learn and flourish, and offer a diverse range of activities:

  • Take part. Our exciting programme of Cultural Events ranges from music concerts and debates to talks and walks
  • Study. Bishopsgate Library contains 150,000 books, and holds nationally-important archives. Explore our collections on London history, socialism, activism, feminism, LGBTQ+ history, freethought and humanism. You browse our photography and oral history archives.
  • Learn together. Our Courses for Adults programme offers over 125 different courses, with three terms a year. Subjects range from political history to podcasting, from photography to Pilates.

Our listed building is also available to hire for meetings and events of any scale. Each of our spaces has a different character from our glamourous Great Hall (which can host dance events and conferences for up to 500 people), to our imposing Boardroom and atmospheric library. We are committed to accessibility and our main event rooms are all step-free.

We are in an easy-to-reach location in one of London's most dynamic areas, just two minutes' walk away from Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields Market. Buses stop outside our door.


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Head to the visitor information pages for a map and travel directions.

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Three photographers are in Liverpool Street. One is showing the photo she has taken to the tutor.

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Bishopsgate Institute and Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England. No: 4362659

Registered Charity No: 1090923

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#FROMTHE ARCHIVES

Married in 1950, Chris and Betty Birch have been involved in political, trade union, and LGBTQ+ activism for over 60 years. Sharing similar interests, they were both Communist Party Members and involved with organisations such as the Aid to Spanish Youth Committee. After the death of his friend, Mark Ashton, Chris became involved in forming the Mark Ashton Memorial Trust, which was created to raise money for individuals living with HIV. The archive includes the truncheon taken from the police by Mark Ashton, correspondence, personal scrapbooks, press cuttings, and various other papers relating to the couples activism.
Find out more about the Chris and Betty Birch Archive

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More Site Pages

  • About
  • News
  • Work with us
  • Press

Legal Pages

  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Site Map
  • Contact

Contact Details

230 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4QH
020 7392 9200enquiries@bishopsgate.org.uk

Small Print

Copyright © 2021 Bishopsgate Foundation. Registered Charity No: 1090923. Website by Supercool