Visit Mansion House

Located in the vibrant heart of the City of London, Mansion House serves as the distinguished residence and office of the Lord Mayor. This architectural gem offers an unparalleled backdrop for business meetings, civic and livery activities, and conferences. While typically closed to the public, Mansion House opens its doors for exclusive guided tours to small, organized groups.

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About Mansion House

Until the mid-18th century, Lord Mayors used their own homes or livery halls for their official duties. After the Great Fire of 1666, the idea of a permanent residence emerged to accommodate Lord Mayors without their own livery hall.

Nearly a century later, George Dance the Elder was chosen to design Mansion House. Construction began in 1739, and Sir Crispin Gascoigne was the first Lord Mayor to reside there in 1758.

The Palladian-style Mansion House features a grand temple portico and steps. The first floor includes a courtyard (later covered to form the Salon) and the Egyptian Hall. The second floor houses a ballroom and private apartments, while the third and fourth floors contain meeting and staff rooms. The cellars, once used as prisoners' cells, now serve as storage.

Over time, Mansion House has seen changes. Unsafe roof pavilions were removed in 1795 and 1846. The main entrance was relocated to the side due to roadworks. Refurbishments occurred in the 1860s, 1930s, and early 1990s.

Accessibility

The building is equipped with a ramp for easy access, disabled toilet facilities, a sound loop in the Egyptian Hall, and lift access to all floors. However, please note that much of the art collection is located on staircases, which may make it challenging to view the entire collection.

The Walbrook Entrance

Originally designed as an eight-stall stable and coach house, this part of the Mansion House was never used for that purpose. In 1846, architect James Bunning created a new side entrance to allow the Lord Mayor to enter and exit discreetly. The benches date back to 1811, while the chairs were added during the 1991-93 refurbishment to match the benches.

The most notable piece is the 18th-century Hallkeeper's Chair, designed to block drafts and keep the Hallkeeper warm with a hot pan or coal in its drawer. Today, this entrance welcomes guests to the vaulted ground floor, leading up to the Salon.

The Salon

Originally designed as a roofless courtyard, the space was quickly covered by George Dance the Younger, creating a grand reception area adorned with stunning crystal chandeliers. Initially, these chandeliers were shared with the Guildhall, but after several were broken during transport, the Mansion House acquired its own in 1875.

Crafted by Messrs Osler, these chandeliers, with their high lead content for extra sparkle, now grace the Salon and Venetian Parlour. Regularly cleaned and re-pinned by skilled craftsmen, they are considered unmatched in their brilliance.

The Drawing Rooms

The Drawing Rooms are an interlinked pair of stately rooms, decorated in a mid-19th century style and furnished with the Nile Suite, commemorating Nelson's sea victories. They house part of the Samuel Collection and offer an intimate setting. Opposite the Drawing Rooms is the Long Parlour, an elegant room used for business meetings and dinners, retaining its mid-18th century character.

The Egyptian Hall

The Egyptian Hall, seating 350, is actually inspired by Roman designs from Vitruvius, featuring giant columns and a narrower attic area. Popularized by Andrea Palladio in the 16th century, this style was fashionable in the 18th century.

The Hall's marble statues date from 1854-64, and the stained glass from 1868. The paintwork, close to the original stone colour with gilding, creates a dignified and grand civic interior.

The Old Ballroom

The mood of the Old Ballroom is light and airy throughout with an abundance of elaborate plasterwork representing musical instruments etc and carved timber ornament. It is used for meetings, conferences and dinners.