Our wide-ranging cultural events take us to exclusive venues, discovering remarkable art, architecture and unexpected wonders as we go. Join us as we pass through doors that are normally closed – in London, throughout the UK and beyond.
2023/24 Events
Tuesday 23 January 2024 – Artist’s Studio Visit
Join us for an early evening visit to the working studio of Humphrey Ocean, who was elected as a Royal Academician in 2004 and from 2012 -2020 was Royal Academy Professor of Perspective. His work features in London’s National Portrait Gallery and the Government Art Collection, and he is also known for his delightful paintings […]
Monday 18 March 2024 – Lunch with Lord Smith of Finsbury
Chris Smith will join members at a relaxed gathering in The Painted Chamber at Painters’ Hall. Over lunch he will discuss his time as Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in the Blair government and his current role as Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Thursday, 18 April 2024 – Zabludowicz Collection
An afternoon curated visit to this extraordinary private collection that is dedicated to championing and supporting emerging artists and arts organisations. Housed in a former Methodist chapel, its mission is to create a vibrant and sustainable ecology for art.
Tuesday, 14 May 2024 – Freud Museum
A late morning visit to this Hampstead museum, the final home of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, and his daughter Anna Freud, a pioneering child psychoanalyst. Discover the story behind Freud’s pioneering work and see the collection of treasures that decorated his study, just as he left them, including the celebrated couch.
Saturday, 22 June 2024 – The Purcell Club at Westminster Abbey
A special guided evening tour of the church with choral music interludes sung by members of the Purcell Club, named after the famous composer who was organist at the Abbey from 1679-1695.
Wednesday, 24 July 2024 – Ham House
An out-of-hours, behind-the-scenes tour of this remarkable house built in 1610 as a gift from King Charles I to courtier William Murray. Largely transformed by Murray’s tenacious daughter, the Duchess of Lauderdale, it suffered during the English Civil War but was later to be restored as a place for extravagant entertainment.
Thursday, 19 September 2024 – Handling Session of Gold Boxes at the Wallace Collection
A rare opportunity to pick up and hold exquisite museum pieces. An expert from the Wallace Collection will describe the construction and history of these precious decorative objects.
Wednesday, 23 October 2024 – Private visit to the Ismaili Centre
A curated visit to the South Kensington Ismaili Centre, one of six such buildings worldwide. Opened in 1985, this religious, social and cultural meeting place for the Ismaili Muslim community was designed to encourage mutual exchanges and understanding between diverse peoples, communities and faiths.
Wednesday, 4 December 2024 – Members’ Christmas Drinks Party
Our popular Christmas Drinks Party is being held at the extraordinary house of Dr Johnson. This Grade 1 Listed building dates from the 1690s, and retains many of its period features. It was occupied by Samuel Johnson from 1749 to 1759 when he was at his most creative and productive.
Selected Past Events
December 2023 – Members’ Christmas Drinks Party
This year our Christmas Drinks party is being held in the aisle and nave of St Ethelburga’s in Bishopsgate. This is one of the few surviving medieval churches in London, most of which were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666.
November 2023 – Private visit to see the Katrin Bellinger Collection
Although Katrin Bellinger’s great love is Italian renaissance drawings, her interests range as widely as her collections. Her house, which we have the privilege of visiting, bears witness to her various passions.
October 2023 – Visit to Cosmic House
Join us on a magical mystery tour of this idiosyncratic private house-turned-museum in Holland Park. Completed in 1983, this former London home of the globally renowned architectural historian and cultural theorist Charles Jencks is a Postmodern cornucopia of ideas, symbols and motifs.
September, 2023 – The Magic of Malta
Join us on an unforgettable adventure exploring the history of this fascinating Mediterranean island. Unearthing its eventful history from 5900BC, when Sicilian settlers arrived, we will enjoy expert-led visits to some of Valletta’s most spectacular sights.Our itinerary features exclusive access to buildings normally closed to visitors and memorable dining in exceptional restaurants. We stay in […]
June 2023 – Marble Hill House and Turner’s House
Marble Hill House, a Neo-Palladian villa built between 1724 and 1729, is the venue for the first part of our day. We are privileged to have been given private access on a Tuesday, when the property is closed to the public. The house was built by Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, who had a disastrous […]
May 2023 – Balthus: Under the Surface
We are delighted to offer a complimentary members-only private visit to the Savile Row gallery of Luxembourg & Co to see the exhibition Balthus: Under the Surface. Expect new critical perspectives on the artist’s legacy as the show focuses on his engagement with ‘surface’ as both a material and a psychological quality. Our tour will be conducted […]
May 2023 – A Day in the Country in Rochester
This extended visit to Rochester will encompass a special guided tour of Britain’s second oldest cathedral followed by a visit to Six Poor Travellers House, founded by the Elizabethan MP Richard Watts to provide board and lodgings. After lunch we will enjoy a tour of Grade 1 listed Eastgate House with guide Dr Claire Glapper, […]