Meeting Places
The Salisbury Hotel, Barnet
Priory Lodge was consecrated on 18th February 1930 at the Salisbury Hotel in Barnet, a historic coaching inn with origins dating back to 1637 under Royal Charter from King James I, later rebuilt in 1811. The Lodge met in rooms upstairs, accessed via the bar, in surroundings that reflected the building’s long history as a stopping point for horse-drawn coaches travelling to and from London. The venue retained a distinctive and traditional character, and members recall a strong sense of camaraderie during this period, with the Lodge remaining there for many decades.
Ashwell House, St Albans
Ashwell House became an important home for Priory Lodge after its purchase in 1935 by Alderman J. C. H. Lewis, a former Mayor of St Albans. Following his death in 1950, the property was acquired by the St Albans Masonic Centre and managed by Ashwell House Ltd. Initially, meetings were held in a smaller hall, before the present Masonic Hall was officially opened in 1967. During the 1970s, the building also operated as a British Restaurant and later a banqueting hall. Members recall the early days fondly, including the gradual conversion of the cellar into a bar, which became a well-used social space despite its humble beginnings.