Mansion House stands opposite the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange, a few steps from Bank station. Many people walk past it every day without knowing much about it. This short Q&A draws on the City of London Corporation’s own pages about the building.
What is Mansion House?
It is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. The City of London describes it as the home and office of the Lord Mayor, and it is owned and run by the City of London Corporation as one of its departments.
When was it built, and by whom?
It was designed in the Palladian style by the architect George Dance the Elder and built in the 1740s. The City of London says it has been the Lord Mayor’s official residence since its completion in 1752. It is a Grade I listed building and is described as one of the grandest surviving Georgian town palaces in London.
What goes on inside?
The building is used for business engagements, conferences, formal dinners and City hospitality. The public state apartments include several reception rooms and the Egyptian Hall, a banqueting hall, while the Lord Mayor’s private quarters and staff offices are also in the building. The City of London notes that the hall’s name is misleading: its design draws on the writings of the Roman architect Vitruvius rather than on Egyptian architecture.
What treasures does it hold?
The house holds a collection of gold and silver plate that the City describes as widely recognised as one of the world’s finest, and still used regularly for official and private events. Notable items include the Lord Mayor’s Collar of SSs, which dates to the 1520s, and the City’s ceremonial swords. There is also the Harold Samuel Art Collection of 84 seventeenth-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, with artists such as Frans Hals, Jacob Ruisdael and Jan Steen among those named.
Can the public visit?
Yes. Mansion House is available for public tours as well as for hire. The City of London says tours are led by a City of London Guide, last about an hour and cover the eighteenth-century public rooms and the art collection. Bookings are made through Eventbrite, so check the City of London’s pages for dates and availability before you plan a visit.
Is the Lord Mayor the same as the Mayor of London?
No, and this is a common mix-up. The City of London explains that the Lord Mayor heads the City of London Corporation, is elected annually and holds an unpaid, apolitical role. It is distinct from the Mayor of London, whose position is salaried and has a four-year term. The Lord Mayor also acts as an ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector.
How does it link to the Lord Mayor’s Show?
The Lord Mayor’s Show is a parade centred on Mansion House, where the new Lord Mayor swears an oath of allegiance to the Monarch. The City of London calls it the oldest, longest, best loved and least-rehearsed civic procession in the world, and says it dates to the 1200s. Livery Companies take part in the procession, which makes the building a natural place to start if you want to understand how the City’s traditions fit together.
Where to look next
If this has whetted your appetite, the City of London’s Mansion House pages are the best place to start, followed by a walk around the nearby streets. Look up at the stonework around Bank junction, and you will see how much of the Square Mile’s history sits in plain view.