GYF Tour of The Mansion House

The Master and Court are happy to extend the opportunity to join a private, after hours,  guided tour of the Mansion House, the residence and office of the Lady Mayor.

The tour will start at 6:00pm and last for approximately 90 minutes. Following the tour we have arranged for an area to be reserved at The Banker pub just down the road. 

About Mansion House

Until the mid-18th century, Lord Mayors used their own homes or livery halls for their official duties. After the Great Fire of 1666, the idea of a permanent residence emerged to accommodate Lord Mayors without their own livery hall.

Nearly a century later, George Dance the Elder was chosen to design Mansion House. Construction began in 1739, and Sir Crispin Gascoigne was the first Lord Mayor to reside there in 1758.

The Palladian-style Mansion House features a grand temple portico and steps. The first floor includes a courtyard (later covered to form the Salon) and the Egyptian Hall. The second floor houses a ballroom and private apartments, while the third and fourth floors contain meeting and staff rooms. The cellars, once used as prisoners' cells, now serve as storage.

Over time, Mansion House has seen changes. Unsafe roof pavilions were removed in 1795 and 1846. The main entrance was relocated to the side due to roadworks. Refurbishments occurred in the 1860s, 1930s, and early 1990s.

Please note that refunds cannot be offered after Friday, 10th July. The £ 5+ VAT booking fee is non-refundable.