Goldsmiths’ Hall, situated at the junction of Foster Lane and Gresham Street in the City of London, has served as the headquarters of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths since at least 1339, making it the longest-continuously held site among London’s livery companies. The Company itself was granted a Royal Charter in 1327 under Edward III and has operated from this location ever since.
Goldsmiths’ Hall serves as the long-standing venue for the London Assay Office, established during medieval reforms under Edward I to test and hallmark silver and gold objects. The hallmark, the leopard’s head, remains the registered mark of the Company to this day.
The current hall is the third to occupy the site. The first, acquired by nineteen goldsmiths in 1339, was a merchant’s house repurposed as the Company’s Hall. The second hall, constructed circa 1634–1636 under the supervision of Nicholas Stone and incorporating Inigo Jones’s design advice, was later destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 but subsequently rebuilt. The existing hall was built between 1829 and 1835. It was inaugurated in 1835 with a banquet attended by the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel. The building suffered bomb damage during the Second World War but was restored and is the thriving heart of the Goldsmiths’ company and the venue for many associated events including the annual Goldsmiths’ Fair.
Since 1982, the Hall has hosted the annual Goldsmiths’ Fair. This evolved from a modest exhibition known as “Loot” hosted by the hall in the late 1970’s. This year the Fair brings together 136 exhibitors working across contemporary jewellery and silversmithing disciplines. Fifteen of these are debut participants: five new exhibitors as well as ten recipients of the Emerging Business Bursary, which provides free stands, financial support, and professional development.
The Fair offers visitors direct access to the makers and an opportunity to purchase unique works, learn about techniques and creative processes, and commission bespoke pieces. Its curated displays and dedicated talks spotlight particular skills and thematic approaches, reflecting both contemporary practice and rooted craftsmanship.
The Goldsmiths’ Company has long played a strategic role in reviving and promoting British silversmithing and jewellery design. Graham Hughes who served as Art Director from 1951 to 1981, was instrumental in fostering talents such as David Mellor, Robert Welch, and Stuart Devlin, and in organising landmark exhibitions like the 1961 International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery. More recently, Jocelyn Burton, Ndidi Ekubia, and Na’ama Haneman are examples of makers whose participation in the Fair has led to public commissions and acquisitions since establishing their reputations at Goldsmiths’ Hall.
In addition to the Fair, Goldsmiths’ Hall itself offers guided tours of its principal rooms and collections, led by librarians and curators. There are two remaining tour dates in 2025 on the 10 November, and Monday 8 December. The tours give you access to rooms rarely seen by the public. Tickets are priced at £10, and proceeds support vocational training and craft-related charitable initiatives.
Goldsmiths’ Hall stands as both a guardian of centuries-old tradition and a dynamic venue for contemporary creativity. The Goldsmiths’ Fair, bridges past and present by nurturing and showcasing the work of emerging and established makers alike. Whether you have a professional interest or a curiosity to see the melding of history and current innovation, this should be a must visit attraction in the Autumn calendar.
Goldsmiths’ Fair 2025 will be held in two consecutive weeks:
Week One: Tuesday, 23 September – Sunday, 28 September 2025
Week Two: Tuesday, 30 September – Sunday, 5 October 2025; the Fair is closed on Monday, 29 September
Public opening hours are:
11:00 to 18:30, with last admission at 18:00, Monday through Saturday
11:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00, on Sundays
Jenny has been working in the Silver and Jewellery industry for over 35 years, she is a graduate of Reading University where she gained a BA Hons in English literature. She joined Bonham’s auctioneers in Knightsbridge as a post-graduate in the silver, jewellery and clocks and watches departments, specialising in silver and jewellery. Jenny soon rose to the position of deputy head of department.