We have organised a private guided tour of Spencer House, a magnificent eighteenth-century Neoclassical townhouse overlooking Green Park, owned by the Spencer family.  The building suffered bomb damage during the blitz and a period of decline from post-war commercial use. In 1985, however, the financier and philanthropist Jacob, Lord Rothschild took on the lease and conceived one of the most remarkable restoration projects of the late twentieth century, recreating the historic interiors and returning the House to its former elegant splendour. It contains some of the most beautiful eighteenth-century rooms in the country. The Grade One listed building was officially reopened in 1990 by Diana, Princess of Wales, a direct descendant of the First Earl and Lady Spencer.

The House was built between 1756 and 1766 for John, later First Earl, Spencer and his wife, Georgiana. In terms of design, it embodies a significant shift in taste during the period, with the architect John Vardy initially responsible for the elevations and ground-floor rooms in the Palladian tradition.  But in 1758, James ‘Athenian’ Stuart was appointed to complete the project. He designed the sumptuous interiors of the first-floor state rooms in the Neoclassical style, taking inspiration from Greek antiquity and antique Roman interiors. The ‘Painted Room’ is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of Neoclassical style in Europe.

This tour will cost £29.50 per person. Please note this does not include travel costs to/from London. The tour will start from 11.00 am and will last about one hour fifteen minutes.  

St James’s Place is a cul-de-sac, located on the west side of St James’s Street, London SW1, about a ten-minute walk from the nearest Underground Station, which is Green Park on the Victoria and Piccadilly Lines.  

Please note space on this visit is limited — the maximum group size is fifteen. 

Spencer House is an accessible venue but please let Jane Pearson know in advance if you have any access requirements so that Spencer House may be fully prepared.

The booking form can be downloaded here and will be available at lectures from November..

Image Credit:  Spencer House, West Façade (Paul Highnam), Courtesy of Spencer House

Our holiday for 2027 will be to Istanbul, with a four-night, five-day visit. We will stay at the 4* Barcelo Hotel, which is located at Taksim Square, in a busy central shopping and dining area. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and bar. All rooms are en suite and feature television, hairdryer, and tea & coffee making facilities. Set three-course dinners are included on evenings one and four (as detailed in the itinerary), and the remaining two nights are on a bed and breakfast basis. 

We will be visiting the main sites in Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia, as well as taking a cruise on the Bosphorus and wandering the Grand Bazaar.

Cost £1,594 per person, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room. The single supplement is £299.

The brochure including the booking form can be downloaded here and will be available at lectures.