Located in the vibrant heart of the City of London, Mansion House is the residence and office of the Lady Mayor, who serves as powerful ambassador for the City and UK’s financial and professional services. Through international diplomacy, convening high-level discussions, and civic engagement, the Lady Mayor drives economic growth, innovation, and philanthropy on behalf of the City, London, and the UK.

While typically closed to the public, Grade I listed Georgian Mansion House opens its doors for exclusive guided tours to small, organised groups.

It has many notable rooms, for example, The Egyptian Hall where the Chancellor usually delivers his speech and some very old Vaults.

Mansion House, London EC4N 8BH

Fully booked.

The Wallace Collection was established from the private collections of the 4th Marquess of Hertford (1800 - 1870), and his illegitimate son Sir Richard Wallace (1818–1890).  Sir Richard's widow bequeathed the house and the entire collection to the nation in 1897.

After the tour you can wander through the rest of this fascinating collection or take a coffee in the cafe or browse the shop There is a restaurant but booking is advisable.

Date: Thursday 23 April

Time: 1030 - 1130 (Arrival 1015)

Cost: £15 per person

There are 20 places available on the tour.

Now fully booked.  

Travel: There are numerous buses to Oxford Street and the nearest stop is Selfridges. It’s a few minutes walk to Manchester Square. Bond Street, Oxford Circus or Marble Arch underground stations are nearby.

The house is fully accessible.

The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the  River Thames was founded in 1514 following the earliest Act of Parliament for regulating watermen, wherrymen and bargemen received Royal Assent from King Henry VIII. 

The Hall is the only remaining Georgian Hall in the City of London with a 500 year history of the Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames.

N.B. - this visit is now fully booked.  A second visit will take place on December 3.  Places have been offered to capacity.  A reserve list is now being operated.

Handel Hendrix House is made up of two residences – Handel’s house at 25 Brook Street and Hendrix's flat on the top floor of 23 Brook Street. An exhibition offers an in depth view of the lives of the two musicians and their time in London

We have the opportunity to take a guided tour of Handel Hendrix House.
This will be followed by a 30 minute recital.

Start time: 1100 hrs
Length of visit: 90 minutes plus a recital for 30 minutes
Cost: £46

Maximum no: 18 persons

The House has a lift and is fully accessible. The shop is usually open for group visits. There is no cafe at the moment.

The story of the Old East End traces the arrival of the Huguenots in the 1860's through to the 1930's with the arrival of nearly 10,000 mainly Jewish children arriving at Liverpool Street Station.

Our Blue Badge Guide Pepe Martinez will tell us this amazing story. 

BOOKING NOW OPEN  - full details sent by email on 3 January. 

Why not Join Kevin on a three day tour of Venice from 8th to 10th October 2024 with a highly recommended guide.

This trip will incorporate the same 'modus operandi' as Kevin’s great trip to Rome last year.

You will be responsible for your travel and accommodation arrangements although Kevin recommends the Hotel Palazzo San Luca where he will be from the evening of 7th October, leaving on 11th October.

If you are interested please contact Kevin at: kjpkiernan@gmail.com

APSLEY HOUSE - BOOK NOW

APSLEY HOUSE GUIDED TOUR:

Home of the first Duke of Wellington. 1 Hyde Park Corner

This Georgian House is Grade 1 Listed and has changed little since his victory at Waterloo.

THURSDAY 27 JUNE at 1100 (approximately 1 hour)

COST: £20

Places limited to 15. For an early bird spot, please email: cecilia.e.wells@gmail.com

Last booking date is 27 May. As soon as your place is booked and confirmed, please pay:

BACS

WESTMINSTER DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY (surname please)

Sort Code: 20 94 48

Account: 90239275

If you need to pay by cheque, please contact Lesley Thrift.

Nearest underground is: Hyde Park on the Piccadilly Line and several buses stop at HydePark corner.

VISIT NOW FULL

Join us at the Barbican on Tuesday 23 April 2024

The Barbican is now an iconic architectural landmark on the London skyline. The area was once devastated by WW2 and then populated by financial institutions. Now it has living spaces and the Barbican Centre which includes a concert hall and art gallery.

Our guide will give us a glimpse of the nooks, old ruins, leafy courts and the lakeside that are part of the high towers of the Barbican.

Cost: £12

Time: 11.00 - 12.30 (We will meet in the main foyer near the shop at 10.45)

Travel: A 5 minute walk from Barbican Underground or a bit longer from Moorgate.

To reserve a place, please pay £12 by BACS to:  

Westminster Decorative and Fine Arts Society  

Sort Code:  20 94 48  

Account:     90239275  

or send a cheque to : Lesley Thrift

Please also email: visits@theartsocietywestminster.org 

Join us at 11am on Friday 15 March when we visit Leighton House the home of the eminent Victorian artist, Frederick Leighton.

The house has evolved into an art palace and the rich interior is influenced by Leighton’s love of Arabian and Venetian styles. The Turkish tiles in the Arab Hall are of particular note.

Our expert guide will help us to appreciate this gem in Holland Park. There is lift to the upper floors and a small cafe and gift shop on the entrance floor.

The location, 12 Holland Park Road, is a short walk from Kensington Park underground station and a number of buses (9, 27, 28, 49, 328) stop a few minutes away.

To sign up for the visit, please pay £22 by BACS to:  

Westminster Decorative and Fine Arts Society  

Sort Code:  20 94 48  

Account:     90239275

(Payment by Thursday 22 February, please.)

 Email: visits@theartssocietywestminster.org for any further information.

Join us on a Zoom at 11am on Tuesday 9th January 2024 as we travel back to explore the London 2012 Olympic Games. Our journey takes us from the Metropolitan Building Act of 1844, through to the Olympic Games in 2012 and onto what has been described as one of the most successful Olympic legacy’s in history. The Zoom lecture will be led by award winning London Blue Badge Tourist Guide Pepe Martinez.

If you would like to join us the cost is £11 per person

Please make a BACS payment through your bank with the following details:

Payee: Westminster Decorative & Fine Arts Society (not WDFAS) put in as many characters as possible

Sort Code: 20-94-48

Account No: 90239275

Reference: Your initial and surname

Please also send an email to membership@thewestminsterartssociety.org

to let us know that you will be joining the Zoom.