Spencer House

Over het museum

Spencer House was built between 1756 and 1766 for John Spencer, the 1st Lord Spencer, and his wife Georgiana Poyntz. It is regarded as one of the last surviving grand aristocratic townhouses in London. The family used it during the London social season for entertaining, and its guests included artists, politicians and royalty.

From the late 19th century the house was let to private tenants, and the Spencer family left it in 1927. It then housed the Ladies' Army and Navy Club, was damaged by bombs in the Blitz and was later used for government, auction house and office purposes. Many original fittings, such as chimneypieces and doors, were removed or lost during this period.

In 1985 RIT Capital Partners took a lease on the building and carried out a ten-year restoration under Lord Rothschild. The restored house was officially opened in 1990 by Diana, Princess of Wales. Today it is used for events and for guided tours of the eight State Rooms, which are arranged over two floors, and a garden tour is added from April to October when the weather allows.

Hoogtepunten

• Eight restored State Rooms on two floors
• The Palm Room, the Painted Room and the Great Room
• Library with a carved white marble chimneypiece
• Restored garden and terrace (garden tour April to October)
• Tours led by Blue Badge guides

Vaste collectie

• The State Rooms – Eight restored rooms on two floors, including the Palm Room, the Painted Room, the Great Room and the Library, shown on a guided tour.

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Booking in advance is recommended through the tour calendar on the website. Tickets can sometimes be bought at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis for an extra £1.50 per ticket. The house is cashless. Special access tours cost extra.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk: geen informatie
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The house has wheelchair ramps, a lift and an accessible toilet. Some rooms have seats and folding stools are available. Guide dogs are welcome if the house is told in advance.

Kinderen & gezin

Beperkt geschikt voor kinderen

• Kinderwagenvriendelijk: niet aanwezig

The house does not recommend bringing children under 10, and guides may ask disruptive children to wait in the Entrance Hall. Pushchairs are not allowed in the State Rooms.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The entrance is on St James's Place and the building has no signage, so visitors should look for the front door.

Service & horeca

• Café: niet aanwezig
• Restaurant: niet aanwezig
• Garderobe

There is no café in the house; restaurants and cafés are nearby on Piccadilly and St James's Street. A free cloakroom takes bags that cannot be taken into the State Rooms. The guidebook is sold in the online shop. Food and drink are not allowed in the State Rooms.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Tot 450 personen.

The State Rooms can be hired exclusively for receptions of up to 450 people, seated dinners of up to 120, and weddings of up to 90. The house is licensed for civil ceremonies. The terrace is available for events in May, June, July and September.

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