Spencer House, London

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Spencer House, London

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London’s most magnificent 18th century private palace, built in 1756-66 for the first Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales. Adults: £12.00.

From its conception, Spencer House was recognized as one of the most ambitious aristocratic private palaces ever built in London and is today the city’s only great eighteenth-century private palace to survive intact. The house was built in (1756-66) for John, 1st Earl Spencer an ancestor of Diana, princess of Wales (1961-97). Designed by John Vardy and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, the house is one of the pioneer examples of neo-classical architecture and marks a turning point in English architectural history from Palladianism to neo-classical. Spencer House has regained the full splendor of its late-eighteenth century appearance, after a painstaking ten-year restoration undertaken by RIT Capital Partners Plc. Eight state rooms are open to the public for viewing on Sundays, and are available for private and corporate entertaining during the rest of the week. These Magnificently restored rooms were amongst the first neo-classical interiors in Europe. Vardy’s Palm Room, with its spectacular screen of gilded palm trees and arched fronds, is a unique Palladian set piece, while the elegant mural decorations of Stuart’s Painted Room reflect the eighteenth-century passion for classical Greece and Rome. Every Sunday (expect during August)

10:30am to 5:45pm (last tour 4.45pm). Concessions: £10.00

Open for Private group tours throughout the rest of the week
Telephone: 02075141958
Email: [email protected]

15/10/2026

Three Things You Didn’t Know About… The Painted Room!

Pompeii was a great influence. The walls of the Painted Room drew inspiration from ancient Roman ruins discovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum and feature motifs like cherubs, myrtle, and turtledoves alongside other Greek and Renaissance elements.

The primary theme of the decoration is love and the room is a celebration of the happy marriage of Lord and Lady Spencer. Above the chimneypiece is a frieze painted with a copy of the Aldobrandini Wedding, a fragment of Roman fresco dating from the first century AD which was believed to depict a secret wedding ceremony. It was perhaps intended as an allusion to the Spencers’ own nuptials, which took place in secret a week before their official wedding day.

The room was badly damaged during the Second World War when a bomb hit neighbouring Bridgewater House. The shock of the impact brought most of the ceiling down and what is seen today is the result of restoration in the 1950s. Fortunately, the original painted panels had been put into storage for safekeeping and those at least could be reinstated.

11/10/2026

Service please! Beyond being the most beautiful house in London (😍) Spencer House is an exquisite events venue boasting magnificent neoclassical interiors and a panoramic view out to Green Park from the private terrace. Our guests have exclusive use of the suite of eight State Rooms, which can be configured to suit a variety of occasions and are serviced by our excellent team of in house butlers. To enquire about all things Christmas and more, tap the link in our bio 🎄

Address

27 St James's Place
London
SW1A1NR

Opening Hours

10:30am - 5:45pm

Telephone

02075141958

Website

http://www.spencerhouse.co.uk/

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