Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Museum Learned society and library for Asian studies

The Royal Asiatic Society in London maintains an Asia-focused research library, manuscript collections and public lectures; scholars and specialist visitors consult its holdings or attend events in the Bloomsbury area.

Robert Melville Grindlay (1786-1877) - A Bairagi or Hindu Devotee - RAS 001.010 - Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.jpg

The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland is a learned society based in London, founded in 1823 to promote the study of Asia and its cultures. It maintains a specialist library and organises lectures, publications and research activities.

The society is primarily a research and membership organisation rather than a public museum; non‑members can sometimes attend public lectures or consult the library by prior arrangement. Its activities concentrate on academic events, publications and the curation of specialised collections in Asian studies.

Established in the early 19th century, the society brought together scholars, diplomats and travellers with the aim of advancing knowledge about Asia; it has published journals and supported research since its foundation. Over time it has functioned as a central learned body for Oriental studies in Britain.

The society’s premises are in central London; its location places it among the academic and cultural institutions of the Bloomsbury area, with transport links to central London research centres.

  • Collections and access: The society runs lectures, publications and a specialist library on Asian studies; access to the library and events is typically for members or by arrangement.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
51.5265, -0.1353
Office hours generally weekdays 9:30am-5:30pm (events outside these hours)
Membership-based access to some services; some lectures open to the public (fees vary).

How to Get to Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland #

The society is located in central London; check the events page for exact venue details (some events are held in lecture halls across Bloomsbury and Kensington). Nearest Tube stations vary by venue - common nearby stations include Euston, Russell Square and South Kensington depending on the programme.

Tips for Visiting Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland #

  • Check the society's events calendar online before visiting - many lectures, exhibitions and meetings require booking or membership.
  • If researching archives, email ahead; the society's library and archives are accessed by appointment.
  • Many of the society's public events are held in central London lecture venues rather than a single grand building - confirm location details on event pages.

Best Time to Visit Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland #

The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland is a learned society in London focused on Asian studies, hosting lectures, publications and a research library.

Academic term times
September-June · -
The society's lectures, seminars and gatherings concentrate during the university terms and cultural season; more events are scheduled in autumn and spring.
Summer
July-August · -
Fewer events; administration offices often run reduced hours but special seminars may still occur.

Weather & Climate near Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland #

Climate

Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (636 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 63 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 63 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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