Blackfriars Rotunda

Blackfriars Rotunda was a circular building featuring a central gallery topped with a conical slate roof made of brick, positioned near Blackfriars Bridge. The structure was designed to accommodate collections and gatherings, serving multiple purposes throughout its existence.

The building initially housed the Leverian Museum from 1787, a collection of natural history objects and curiosities. After the collection was sold in 1806 due to financial pressures, the building was later reused for other purposes.

The space served as a gathering place for intellectual discussions, particularly during its time as a venue for scientific talks and literary debates. Such gatherings shaped the local intellectual life of early 19th-century London.

The building stood at the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge and remained open to visitors before its demolition in 1958. Visitors can locate the former site by using the bridge as a reference point in the Southwark area.

Between 1830 and 1832, reformer Richard Carlile used the building as a center for radical political meetings and lectures on social reform. This period made the site a focal point for early campaigns for social change in London.

GPS coordinates: 51.50790,-0.10476

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20