Two Temple Place is a neo-Gothic Victorian mansion at 2 Temple Place, near London’s Embankment. Built for William Waldorf Astor in the late 1890s, it is worth visiting for its carved woodwork, stained glass and ornate staircase, as well as its free temporary exhibitions of art from UK collections. Look closely at the staircase for carvings of the Three Musketeers and at the patterned marble floor below. The building is usually open to the public during exhibitions, so check its website before making the trip.
A Victorian mansion by the Embankment
Two Temple Place stands at 2 Temple Place, close to the Embankment. William Waldorf Astor had the neo-Gothic house built in the late 1890s. It is now used as an events venue and opens to the public for temporary exhibitions, so access is not available year-round.
The building’s interiors are a major part of a visit. Wood panelling, stained glass and detailed carvings reward a slow look around. Its exhibitions bring art from UK collections to the building, and admission is free.
The staircase and its details
The grand staircase is a centrepiece of the house. Look for carvings of the Three Musketeers and stained-glass windows in the upper hall. At the foot of the stairs, the floor is laid with coloured marble in a pattern compared to Italian Cosmati pavements.
There is detail beyond the staircase, too. Carved decoration and stained glass appear throughout the building. Take time to look up and around rather than moving quickly between rooms.
Planning a visit
Public visits are tied to the temporary exhibition programme. Check the official website for current access and exhibition information before setting out, and consider booking tickets in advance. The exhibitions are free to enter.
If the doors are closed, the exterior is still worth a look. Its pale stone façade has carved ornaments, arches and columns, with trees and a small garden nearby. The building is at 2 Temple Place in central London.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is Two Temple Place free to visit?
Admission to its temporary exhibitions is free. Check the website for current access information.
When can you visit Two Temple Place?
The building is usually open to the public during temporary exhibitions rather than year-round. Check the website before travelling.
What should I see inside Two Temple Place?
Look for the carved woodwork, stained-glass windows, the grand staircase with Three Musketeers carvings and the inlaid marble floor.
