Kingsley Hall, Community archive building in Tower Hamlets, England
Kingsley Hall is an archive building with Neo-Georgian architecture located in East London. The building houses research spaces, historical collections, and materials documenting local events and community movements across different periods.
The building was founded in 1915 by sisters Doris and Muriel Lester, who dedicated it to social support and community work. It gained international attention when Mahatma Gandhi stayed there in 1931 during his visit to London, linking the place to wider historical events.
The building holds records of social movements and shows how communities gathered here to create change over the decades. Visitors can see how these stories remain alive through the spaces and documents preserved within.
The collections can be visited on weekdays, and advance notice is recommended to access specific materials you want to research. Plan ahead and contact the venue beforehand to ensure the documents or collections you need are available.
A room in the building preserves personal items and original furnishings from Gandhi's stay, offering a rare glimpse into this historical moment. This kept room allows visitors to feel connected to an important chapter of global history in a direct way.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
