Bishopsgate Institute’s Library and Special Collections reveal fascinating stories about London’s social and political history. We invite corporate clients, community organisations, and special-interest groups to discover these stories during their time with us.

Our offers include Hands-on History workshops, archive displays, and private archive tours.

Hands-on History workshops

Are you seeking fresh inspiration for your teaching or creative practice? Do you want to arrange something different for friends, family, or colleagues? Our popular Hands-on History workshops are now available to book. These expertly facilitated sessions offer your group a unique opportunity to discover dozens of original historical sources from our library and special collections, and chat about your findings afterwards in a supportive and informal learning environment.

We offer online or in-person sessions. Contact us for the latest private workshop fees.

"We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves – it's great to be intellectually stimulated now and again!"

"Amazing, intriguing, inspiring. Loved it."

"Really brilliant mix of history and archives up-close and personal."

Exhibitions

Our expert staff can display eye-catching materials from our special collections for your event. We can curate items across a range of historical themes. They provide a fascinating introduction to the archives.

Tours

From a wizard’s costume to a tiny President Trump in a cage, our archive basement is home to thousands of items that document the history of protest and campaigning since the 19^th century. Inspire your delegates with a tour led by our Special Collections and Archives Manager. Our tours are based on our collecting areas, which are:

• London History
• LGBTQ+ History
• Feminist and Women's History
• Labour and Socialist History
• Protest and Campaigning

Let us know the subject that interests you most, and we will adapt the tour to suit your team.

Tours are suitable for a maximum of 20 adults at a time.

Image: Kathleen Arundell