The Athenaeum, founded in 1824 has nearly 2,000 members drawn from a wide range of professional worlds including literature and the arts, education, the church, business, law, medicine and healthcare, public service, politics, science, architecture, engineering and technology. The Library is regarded by many as the finest club library in London and, with about 70,000 volumes, it is also the largest.

The Clubhouse, located at the corner of Waterloo Place, was designed by Club member Decimus Burton in 1830 in the Neoclassical style. Some of the original mahogany furniture designed by Burton is still in use today. The house was built on a portion of the courtyard of the demolished Carlton House on lease from the Crown. A gilded statue of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, looks out from a front balcony as the Club’s tutelary spirit and guide.

Our visit will be led by Joanna Norledge, Collections Manager.

This visit is now full. 

Drawing Room at The Athenaeum, ©Dr Ian Cooper