Burlington House

A Grand London Townhouse Reborn

Burlington House stands on Piccadilly as one of the last survivors of the grand private townhouses that once lined this stretch of London. Built in the 1660s for Sir John Denham, Surveyor-General to Charles II, it began as a red-brick mansion that soon passed to Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington. Over the following century, it evolved into a refined Palladian palace under the 3rd Earl, a passionate architect and patron of the arts. His vision, inspired by Andrea Palladio and executed with architects like Colen Campbell and William Kent, gave the house its classical proportions and elegant interiors, including the celebrated Saloon, one of England’s first ‘Kentian’ rooms.

Home of the Arts and Sciences

Since the mid-19th century, Burlington House has served as a shared home for some of Britain’s most distinguished institutions. The Royal Academy of Arts occupies the main block, using its galleries for major exhibitions and its historic rooms for lectures and events. Around the courtyard, the West and East Wings house learned societies including the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Geological Society, the Linnean Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the Society of Antiquaries. This concentration of artistic and scientific life makes the building a rare London space where art, architecture, natural history, chemistry, and antiquarian scholarship coexist under one roof.

Architecture and Courtyard Life

The current appearance of Burlington House is largely the result of 19th-century expansion. After the British government purchased the property in 1854, architects Charles Barry and R R Banks designed new wings and gateway blocks to enclose the courtyard, clad in Portland stone. The courtyard itself is a calm, formal space in the heart of Mayfair, often used for sculpture displays and seasonal installations. Inside, visitors encounter a mix of historic state rooms, modern galleries like the Sackler Wing, and the working spaces of the societies, where libraries, meeting rooms, and lecture theatres continue centuries-old traditions of inquiry and debate.

Exhibitions and Public Access

While much of the building functions as offices and libraries, the Royal Academy’s galleries are fully open to the public. The Main Galleries and the Diploma Galleries host major temporary exhibitions, from Old Masters to contemporary architecture, while the John Madejski Fine Rooms showcase the restored historic interiors. The building’s layout encourages exploration: from the grand entrance on Piccadilly, through the courtyard, into the galleries and event spaces. Temporary installations, talks, and academic events mean that each visit can reveal something new, whether a blockbuster art show or a glimpse into the workings of a learned society.