Bruce Castle (formerly the Lordship House) is a Grade I listed 16th-century manor house in Lordship Lane, Tottenham, London. It is named after the House of Bruce who formerly owned the land on which it is built. Believed to stand on the site of an earlier building, about which little is known, the current house is one of the oldest surviving English brick houses. It was remodelled in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
The house has been home to Sir William Compton, the Barons Coleraine and Sir Rowland Hill, among others. After serving as a school during the 19th century, when a large extension was built to the west, it was converted into a museum exploring the history of the areas now constituting London Borough of Haringey and, on the strength of its connection with Sir Rowland Hill, the history of the Royal Mail. The building also houses the archives of the London Borough of Haringey. Since 1892 the grounds have been a public park, Tottenham's oldest.
Museum and Archive opening hours
Museum
Wednesday to Sunday 1pm-5pm
Visiting groups including schools may book to visit at other times
Local History Archives Search-room
Wednesday and alternate Saturdays 1pm-5pm
Thursday and Friday 9.30am-5pm
It is usually necessary and always advisable to book an appointment. We may not otherwise be able to accommodate your visit.
The Museum and Archive Service are always closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and the summer Bank Holidays.
Exhibitions cover the history of the local area and Bruce Castle itself and include many examples of local paintings, photographs and prints. There is an interactive exhibition devoted to local inventors and the museum hosts regular temporary local history and art exhibitions.
Visit Website
Guided Historical Tours of Bruce Castle
East Wing Staircase
If you're part of a community group or perhaps just a group of friends, why not book a tour of the magnificent Grade 1 listed Bruce Castle with one of the curators? See behind the scenes. Discover more about the history of the building and the fascinating people who lived here. You may be inspired to write about them, as one regular visitor has: The ghostly lady of Bruce Castle by Henry Jacobs (PDF, 170KB).
Booking required. Please note: the tour requires standing throughout for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour
Up to 20 people at a time at £5 per head including tea/coffee and biscuits Free for accompanied children under 5 (there is, however, a minimum charge of £50 for tours)
..The house has been home to Sir William Compton, the Barons Coleraine and Sir Rowland Hill, among others. After serving as a school during the 19th century, when a large extension was built to the west, it was converted into a museum exploring the history of the areas now constituting London Borough of Haringey and, on the strength of its connection with Sir Rowland Hill, the history of the Royal Mail. The building also houses the archives of the London Borough of Haringey. Since 1892 the grounds have been a public park, Tottenham's oldest.
Museum and Archive opening hours
Museum
Wednesday to Sunday 1pm-5pm
Visiting groups including schools may book to visit at other times
Local History Archives Search-room
Wednesday and alternate Saturdays 1pm-5pm
Thursday and Friday 9.30am-5pm
It is usually necessary and always advisable to book an appointment. We may not otherwise be able to accommodate your visit.
The Museum and Archive Service are always closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and the summer Bank Holidays.
Exhibitions cover the history of the local area and Bruce Castle itself and include many examples of local paintings, photographs and prints. There is an interactive exhibition devoted to local inventors and the museum hosts regular temporary local history and art exhibitions.
Visit Website
Guided Historical Tours of Bruce Castle
East Wing Staircase
If you're part of a community group or perhaps just a group of friends, why not book a tour of the magnificent Grade 1 listed Bruce Castle with one of the curators? See behind the scenes. Discover more about the history of the building and the fascinating people who lived here. You may be inspired to write about them, as one regular visitor has: The ghostly lady of Bruce Castle by Henry Jacobs (PDF, 170KB).
Booking required. Please note: the tour requires standing throughout for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour
Up to 20 people at a time at £5 per head including tea/coffee and biscuits Free for accompanied children under 5 (there is, however, a minimum charge of £50 for tours)
 |
| A detached, cylindrical Tudor tower stands immediately to the southeast of the house, and is generally considered to be the earliest part of the building;however, Lysons believes it to have been a later addition. The tower is built of local red brick, and is 21 feet (6.4 m) tall, with walls 3 feet (0.91 m) thick. In 2006, excavations revealed that it continues for some distance below the current ground level.It was described in 1829 as being over a deep well, and being used as a dairy |
Bicycle/On Foot
In line with our Green Visitor Charter we encourage you to come by bicycle or on foot to the museum. You can secure your bicycle near the round Tudor tower to the front of the building.
In line with our Green Visitor Charter we encourage you to come by bicycle or on foot to the museum. You can secure your bicycle near the round Tudor tower to the front of the building.
Mainline Train
Bruce Grove Station (London Liverpool Street line). On leaving the station walk up Bruce Grove (5 mins), the museum is directly ahead, located in Bruce Castle Park.
Or take the number 243 or number 123 bus from stop K on Bruce Grove to stop LE on Lordship Lane (Journey time approximately 2 mins). Bruce Castle Museum is just across the road, located in Bruce Castle Park.
National Rail website (external link)
Bruce Grove Station (London Liverpool Street line). On leaving the station walk up Bruce Grove (5 mins), the museum is directly ahead, located in Bruce Castle Park.
Or take the number 243 or number 123 bus from stop K on Bruce Grove to stop LE on Lordship Lane (Journey time approximately 2 mins). Bruce Castle Museum is just across the road, located in Bruce Castle Park.
National Rail website (external link)
Underground
Victoria Line to Seven Sisters station (Zone 3).
At the top of the escalators exit the station by the steps to your left, round the back of the newspaper kiosk. There will be a bus stop right in front of you at the top of the steps. Take bus 243 along the High Road. After about 5 minutes the bus will turn sharp left and travel up Bruce Grove. At the top of Bruce Grove the automatic announcer will state, 'The Roundway East Arm'. This is your stop. Get off the bus and walk back a few yards to the crossing. Take care as you cross Lordship Lane, and then enter Bruce Castle Park, just along to your right. The museum will be facing you.
Or Piccadilly Line to Wood Green Station (Zone 3).
Upon exiting the station turn immediately to the left. This road is Lordship Lane and Bruce Castle Museum is approximately 25mins walk. Or take the number 243 bus from the first bus stop on your side of the road - it is about one minute's walk away (Journey time approximately 10 mins).
TFL Journey Planner website (external link)
Victoria Line to Seven Sisters station (Zone 3).
At the top of the escalators exit the station by the steps to your left, round the back of the newspaper kiosk. There will be a bus stop right in front of you at the top of the steps. Take bus 243 along the High Road. After about 5 minutes the bus will turn sharp left and travel up Bruce Grove. At the top of Bruce Grove the automatic announcer will state, 'The Roundway East Arm'. This is your stop. Get off the bus and walk back a few yards to the crossing. Take care as you cross Lordship Lane, and then enter Bruce Castle Park, just along to your right. The museum will be facing you.
Or Piccadilly Line to Wood Green Station (Zone 3).
Upon exiting the station turn immediately to the left. This road is Lordship Lane and Bruce Castle Museum is approximately 25mins walk. Or take the number 243 bus from the first bus stop on your side of the road - it is about one minute's walk away (Journey time approximately 10 mins).
TFL Journey Planner website (external link)
Bus
Buses 243,123 and 318 all stop near Bruce Castle Museum. See above for directions from the overground and underground stations.
TFL Journey Planner website (external link)
Buses 243,123 and 318 all stop near Bruce Castle Museum. See above for directions from the overground and underground stations.
TFL Journey Planner website (external link)
Car
To help plan your journey visit our Travel page.
To help plan your journey visit our Travel page.
Parking
There is a car-park to the rear of the museum, entrance is located on Church Lane (space for max 20 cars) - parking is free for visitors to the museum and archive service. Street parking nearby is only available on non-match days for Tottenham Hotspur FC.
There is a car-park to the rear of the museum, entrance is located on Church Lane (space for max 20 cars) - parking is free for visitors to the museum and archive service. Street parking nearby is only available on non-match days for Tottenham Hotspur FC.
