Clubs of London
Exploring the stories behind London's most fascinating private members' clubs, from centuries-old institutions in St James's to the modern clubs shaping the city today.
Episodes
The World Famous Private Club That Ruled London
Founded in 1963 by the extraordinary Mark Birley, Annabel's became a playground for royalty, aristocrats, Hollywood stars and rock legends. From Frank Sinatra and the Beatles to Princess Diana and the Queen, its guest list was quite unlike anywhere else in London.But behind the glamour lay an equally fascinating story of extraordinary parties, family feuds and, eventually, the disappearance of
Royal Automobile Club: From breakdown patrols to a palace on Pall Mall
In this episode, I’m exploring the story of the Royal Automobile Club, or the RAC. Founded in 1897 by a group of pioneering motorists, the Club helped transform the motor car from a noisy curiosity into part of everyday British life. Its story takes us from the Red Flag Act and the Thousand Mile Trial to roadside patrols, the creation of Silverstone and the first Formula One World Championship rac
Five must-read books about London’s clubs (Patreon preview)
This is a preview of a longer episode where I talk candidly about five of my favourite books about London's clubs. If you'd like to hear the full episode, you can sign up here. -------------------------------------------------------------I recently posted an Instagram carousel sharing five of my favourite books about London’s members’ clubs, so I thought I’d record a little companion pie
Q&A : Your Club Questions Answered (Patreon preview)
Over on Patreon, I'll be doing a monthly exclusive Q&A episode answering your questions about clubs, myself and all things in between. Here's a preview of the very first one.If you'd like to hear the full episode, you can sign up here. Along with the monthly Q&As, you'll also get extended podcast episodes, behind-the-scenes content from each recording, and be the first to h
Boodle's: London's Quiet Survivor
Founded in 1762, Boodle's is London's second-oldest club and one of its most understated. Unlike White's or Brooks's, it has never been defined by scandal or political intrigue. Instead, it built its reputation on comfort, privacy and tradition.In this episode of Clubs of London, we explore the story of the club named after a waiter, whose members have included Adam Smith, Edward G
White’s: The Story of Britain’s Most Infamous Gentlemen’s Club
For more than three centuries, White’s has stood at the centre of British establishment life. Born as a chocolate house in the seventeenth century, it evolved into the most famous gentlemen’s club in the world, a place associated with prime ministers, princes, gamblers, dandies, soldiers and some of the most powerful figures in British history.In this episode, we trace White’s extraordinary journe
Buck’s Club: The Birthplace of the Buck’s Fizz
Buck’s Club is one of London’s most influential private members’ clubs. Founded by a group of young cavalry officers in the aftermath of the First World War, it became the birthplace of the Buck’s Fizz, inspired P. G. Wodehouse’s Drones Club and helped redefine what a gentlemen’s club could be in the twentieth century.In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of founder Herbert Buckmaster,
