Victorian Penny Chute

Located on the black railing that plays sentry to this historic London building is a small collection box with a slot and the words, "House of Charity, ALMS." This sign is attached to a metal pipe. When coins are placed inside, they roll down the chute and are collected in a box in the building's basement kitchen. This device is known as a penny chute, and it collects donations for the House of Saint Barnabas charity, which was once located in this building. 

This current Grade I-listed Georgian structure boasts distinctive tiling that covers the circumference of the building and spells out "House of Charity." The building sits on a plot of land that dates back to the late 17th century. Over the centuries the land has gone through many configurations, including private residences, a women's shelter, and a period of time as a horse stable. The interior of the house contains many intriguing architectural features and oddities, including a garden that is reputed to have links to Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities. Unfortunately, these attributes are not currently open to the public.