Open House 2025

Welcome to our Open House on 20 September! Booking not necessary. Doors open from 10 am to 5 pm.

Join us for a drop-in day in our Society’s beautiful and historic home on bustling Piccadilly.

Our listing on Open House website.

Guests of all ages are welcome to walk through our building, including our gorgeous library and Meeting Room containing portraits of famous scientists such as Carl Linnaeus, Charles Darwin and AR Wallace.

Things to see and do

- Take part in a nature craft activity- Family activity trail around the Society- A display of photos, drawings and archive material telling the history of the Society- A chance to see our exhibition 'Naturalists' Notebooks', about the humble notebook and it's place as an essential tool for celebrated thinkers throughout history.

Booking is not required: this is a drop-in event.

Please note that photographs may be taken at this event that may be used for future promotional activities of the Society.

About the Linnean Society

The Linnean Society is a historical collection and learned society devoted to the science of natural history. Our collections and programmes bring the current challenges of the natural world, such as biodiversity loss and climate change, to people of all ages and backgrounds.As well as marking our 150th year at Burlington House, in 2024 we are also celebrating our new lease arrangements, which enable us to stay in our historic home.

Things to see and do

- Take part in a nature craft activity- Family activity trail around the Society- A display of photos, drawings and archive material telling the history of the Society- A chance to see our exhibition 'Naturalists' Notebooks', about the humble notebook and it's place as an essential tool for celebrated thinkers throughout history.

The Meeting Room

The Meeting Room, with an oak display bench engraved with Linnaeus’ signature flower Linnaea borealis, has retained its original character while providing modern facilities. Particularly notable is the original painting of Charles Darwin by John Collier. It is now partnered by a specially commissioned posthumous portrait of Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Staircase

The main staircase has a selection of images from the Linnean Society collections, as well as a shop area where you can purchase books and gifts relating to our collections, as well as hot and cold drinks.

The Library

Our Library is in the form of a double cube with its classical pillars rising to the roof. These are not supported by any similar structures beneath, the weight of the books being carried on the walls. The height of the Library provides two galleries, the lower has a balustrade with bookcases behind, the upper footway is supported by cast iron brackets. The glass roof lights have been replaced with replicas of the original engraved glass panels.

The history of the building

In 1854 Burlington House and gardens were purchased by the Government. Burlington House was originally built for Lord Burlington by Sir James Denham.

In 1856 the Royal Society, the Chemical Society and the Linnean Society were permitted to occupy the rooms with the Government providing accommodation “under one roof” for the Learned Societies.

In 1867 the Government leased the main building to the Royal Academy of Arts and allocated £20,000 for provision of new apartments for the Learned Societies in purpose-built wings around the courtyard.

The architects for the Learned Society Rooms were Messrs. Banks and Barry, and the Linnean Society moved into its new rooms in 1873. The section immediately adjacent to the archway entrance was occupied by a post office until 1904, now only the wooden post box remains.

In 1969 the building was redeveloped to incorporate a climate controlled vault for the Linnaean Collections, which still form the key source for identification of plants and animals worldwide. The changes also provided new office accommodation (using the old post office).

How to Get Here: The Linnean Society is located in Burlington House, Piccadilly, on the left-hand side of the main archway facing the Royal Academy of Art. Our precise location and contact details can be seen on our website. The nearest London Underground stations are Green Park and Piccadilly Circus, both less than five-minute’s walk from the Society. Piccadilly is served by numerous bus routes (closest stop is Old Bond Street).

If you need any assistance please contact events@linnean.org.