Our group tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of our 18th-century townhouse and the legacy of the Royal College of Nursing.

Led by the library and museum staff at the Royal College of Nursing, our guided tours offer a fascinating journey through history, architecture, and nursing heritage.

What's available

Group Building Tour: £9 per person, approx. 45 minutes

• A walk through our 18th-century townhouse, featuring the stunning 1730s mural staircase
• Stories from the building’s past, including its time as the residence of Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith
• A look into the founding of the Royal College of Nursing in 1916 and the opening of our headquarters in 1926
• A visit to the Library and Museum exhibitions, showcasing artworks, historical artefacts, and the evolution of nursing

Group Building Tour and Treasures Experience: £14 per person, approx. 90 minutes

• Can only be offered in conjunction with a building tour
• An introduction to treasures from our Library Special Collections including items from Florence Nightingale's personal collection and the first known nursing textbook

Terms and conditions

• All tours must be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance
• There is a minimum of 8 people and maximum of 26 people in a tour group
• Tours for members are free
• We require 48hrs notice for the cancellation of tours. Tours cancelled 48hrs in advance will have the option to reschedule their tour or have a full refund
• Tours cancelled after the 48hr notice period will not be refunded but will have the option to rebook
• We also reserve the right to cancel tours due to unforeseen circumstances. In this instance we will give visitors a 48 hours’ notice period, along with a full refund. You will also be given the option to reschedule your tour to another suitable date

If you are a smaller group or an individual looking to join a tour, we offer a public tour on the first Wednesday of each month. For more information and to book tickets, check out the event page: A Home for Nursing: Behind the Scenes Tour of 20 Cavendish Square.