90 Years of The Lansdowne Club
In the heart of Mayfair, London, where new-money opulence rubs shoulders with centuries of tradition, one private members’ club has spent the past 90 years refusing to bow to trends because it sets them. The Lansdowne Club, founded in 1935, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, a milestone that highlights both its historic significance and enduring appeal in London’s private club scene.
Housed in an 18th-century Grade II* listed mansion, The Lansdowne Club in Mayfair is not a place you stumble upon casually. Designed by Robert Adam for a British Prime Minister, the Georgian architecture provides stately bones that merge seamlessly with decadent Art Deco interiors. Highlights include a 25-yard private swimming pool, a cocktail bar featuring a piano from the RMS Queen Mary, and spaces that feel at once historic and intimately luxurious. It is, quite simply, one of London’s most distinctive private members’ clubs.
Beyond its architectural splendour, The Lansdowne Club has always been quietly radical. In 1935, it became the first private members’ club in London to admit men and women as equals, a forward-thinking move that cemented its reputation as a progressive institution. Today, that spirit continues to shape the club’s ethos: exclusivity without elitism, elegance without pretense, and a hospitality experience rooted in refinement.
For its 90th anniversary, The Lansdowne Club in Mayfair is not resting on its laurels. A year-long programme of events has been launched, starting with a Literary Festival featuring Country Life editor Mark Hedges in conversation with Club CEO David Herbert. Members can also enjoy a historic archive exhibition, a white-tie gala, and an exclusive visit to Sir John Soane’s Museum to view Robert Adam’s original architectural drawings, blending history, culture, and luxury in one seamless experience.
While The Lansdowne Club honours its past, it is also firmly focused on the future. A sensitive refurbishment ensures that Art Deco elegance remains intact while modern amenities: fast Wi-Fi, contemporary leisure facilities, and updated guest services; ensure a seamless experience for today’s members. “Our 90th anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, but a promise for the future,” says Herbert, encapsulating the club’s ethos of evolution without compromise.
What truly sets The Lansdowne Club apart in London’s competitive private club landscape is its refusal to fade into the background. Where other institutions chase trends, The Lansdowne Club lets its pedigree, history, and luxurious facilitie complete with its iconic Mayfair swimming pool speak for themselves. For those fortunate enough to step through its doors, the experience is timeless, refined, and unmistakably London.
Whether you are seeking a historic private members’ club in Mayfair, a luxury retreat in the heart of London, or an elegant venue steeped in architectural heritage, The Lansdowne Club offers a rare combination of exclusivity, tradition, and forward-thinking luxury that few other London clubs can match.
