Penn Club, London facts for kids
The Penn Club was a unique club located in Bloomsbury, a part of central London. It started in 1920 and had close ties to the Quaker community. The club stopped operating in its original form in 2021. Even though it was a private club, people could still rent rooms there.
Where Was the Penn Club?
The Penn Club used to be in three old Georgian houses. These houses were at 21–23 Bedford Place, very close to Russell Square in London. Today, the club's activities are part of The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine. This new home is at 2 Butcher Row, Limehouse, in London.
The Penn Club's Story
The Penn Club began in 1920. It was created using extra money from the Friends Ambulance Unit. This group helped people during World War I. The club had many books and resources about Quaker traditions.
On January 31, 2021, the club announced it would leave its Bloomsbury home. This was after 101 years. The club faced money problems because of the coronavirus pandemic. After this, The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine invited the club to join them.
Now, members of the Penn Club enjoy many social activities. They use the larger buildings at the new location. They can also visit private gardens and a chapel. The tradition of a "common table" still continues. This means members can talk over breakfast if they wish.
Famous People at the Club
The well-known writer John Wyndham lived at the Penn Club. He lived there for several years with his fiancée.
