London’s oldest private members’ clubs

F.E Smith, Member of Parliament and a Secretary of State for India, used to make a habit of relieving himself at the Athenaeum Club on his way back from the House of Commons. As this went on for a number of months, the club’s porter eventually asked if he was a member. “Member?” the one-time Lord Chancellor replied, “do you mean this is a club, as well?"

The rarefied world of “clubland” is filled with anecdotes such as these. Over the centuries they’ve become a repository of stories, curiosities and traditions. They generally observe strict dress codes, if not a suit and tie then at least a jacket. Use of mobile phones and laptops in the main rooms is often banned. Discussion of business matters is outlawed entirely in some, others allow business-talk but no closure of deals.

Membership involves being proposed and seconded by an existing member, but many clubs also try to attract a clientele from specific sections of society, the In and Out has close military connections, the National Liberal the Lib Dems, and the Athenaeum has traditionally drawn people from the arts and sciences.

Debates over admittance for women are pretty much the only time you will see these clubs talked about in the press, with politicians and celebrities joining in the fray. Browse the gallery above to find out more…