Sir John Soane's Museum
To preserve Nos 12, 13 & 14 Lincoln's Inn Fields and Sir John Soane's collections for present and future generations. To allow free public access to the Museum and collections. To provide education following Soane's intention to develop 'an Academy for the Study of Architecture'. To publicize the Museum's collections as widely as possible through events, exhibitions, catalogues and publications.
Activities & Mission
To preserve Nos 12, 13 & 14 Lincoln's Inn Fields and Sir John Soane's collections for present and future generations. To allow free public access to the Museum and collections. To provide education following Soane's intention to develop 'an Academy for the Study of Architecture'. To publicize the Museum's collections as widely as possible through events, exhibitions, catalogues and publications.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 18% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 780). How is this calculated?
Higher than 11% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 8% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £4,221,788 | £3,960,941 | £2,831,706 | £12,534,510 | £4,347,693 | 74 / 136 |
| 2024 | £4,018,221 | £3,582,837 | £2,600,407 | £12,277,301 | £4,340,255 | 75 / 115 |
| 2023 | £3,943,668 | £3,475,309 | £2,489,055 | £11,840,215 | £4,014,077 | 71 / 104 |
| 2022 | £3,228,597 | £2,827,137 | £2,008,711 | £11,221,805 | £3,562,765 | 66 / 90 |
| 2021 | £2,733,622 | £2,705,064 | £1,981,152 | £10,122,592 | £3,176,310 | 68 / 48 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Sir John Soane's Museum
What does Sir John Soane's Museum do?
To preserve Nos 12, 13 & 14 Lincoln's Inn Fields and Sir John Soane's collections for present and future generations. To allow free public access to the Museum and collections. To provide education following Soane's intention to develop 'an Academy for the Study of Architecture'. To publicize the Museum's collections as widely as possible through events, exhibitions, catalogues and publications.
How much income did Sir John Soane's Museum report in 2025?
Sir John Soane's Museum reported total income of £4.22m and reported expenditure of £3.96m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Sir John Soane's Museum?
Sir John Soane's Museum has a program ratio of 67.1%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 18% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 780 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Sir John Soane's Museum registered as a charity?
Sir John Soane's Museum was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 18 April 1963 as charity number 313609. It has been registered for 63 years.
Who runs Sir John Soane's Museum?
Sir John Soane's Museum is governed by a board of 14 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Sir John Soane's Museum operate?
Sir John Soane's Museum operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is Sir John Soane's Museum a registered charity?
Yes — Sir John Soane's Museum is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 313609.
Details
13 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS
LONDON
WC2A 3BP
Registry Information
Is this your charity?
Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.
Claim this listing Learn more about premium profilesOther notable Arts charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 3 other charities
Also governs 3 other charities
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 2 other charities
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated