Mansion House of City of London
Mansion House of City of London
4.5
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Top ways to experience Mansion House of City of London
The area
Address
Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- Bank • 1 min walk
- Bank • 1 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,850 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
81 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
19
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,492 contributions
Feb 2023
Mansion House is in the City of London which was the financial district of the city up to the late 20th century. It is not far from Bank Tube station and there are plenty of buses moving around the area too.
It is a very grand building and the home of the Lord Mayor of London. I believe they have many grand functions here as well.
If you like architecture this place is worth checking out.
It is a very grand building and the home of the Lord Mayor of London. I believe they have many grand functions here as well.
If you like architecture this place is worth checking out.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie Therese Hurl
140 contributions
Mar 2022
Attended the Lord Mayor’s gala dinner in March at his official residence. One of the most beautiful and iconic settings I’ve ever dined at in London! Full of historic harm. I will definitely return, as a tourist this time, to view it’s splendid collection of paintings and sculptures!
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WMIM
Horsham, UK3,200 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
As far as I know public tours are held once a week only on a Tuesday at 2pm and cost £7, or £5 for concessions. Anyone interested in art, architecture or the history of the City of London should definitely make a 'beeline' for this place.
Tours are led by accredited City of London guides and my visit was a private group one organised by the Friends of the Royal Academy.
As an art connoisseur my main interest was in the marvellous Harold Samuel Collection of Dutch and Flemish 17th Century Paintings. All 84 of these are on show throughout the building and the most well-known is Frans Hals' 'The Merry Lute Player', which caused a sensation when purchased at auction in New York City in 1963 for a record price because it was the first occasion on which the bidding was conducted by telephone from London.
Lord Harold Samuel of Wych Cross, a property developer and entrepreneur, bequeathed the collection on his death in 1987 and what finer a place could there be to display it than Mansion House, with its palatial rooms and halls including the 'Egyptian Hall' with its massive columns and stained-glass windows, where the Chancellor of the Exchequer gives his yearly speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet.
Check before visiting in case a function is being hosted here; this official home of the Lord Mayor of London is very much a working municipal building.
Tours are led by accredited City of London guides and my visit was a private group one organised by the Friends of the Royal Academy.
As an art connoisseur my main interest was in the marvellous Harold Samuel Collection of Dutch and Flemish 17th Century Paintings. All 84 of these are on show throughout the building and the most well-known is Frans Hals' 'The Merry Lute Player', which caused a sensation when purchased at auction in New York City in 1963 for a record price because it was the first occasion on which the bidding was conducted by telephone from London.
Lord Harold Samuel of Wych Cross, a property developer and entrepreneur, bequeathed the collection on his death in 1987 and what finer a place could there be to display it than Mansion House, with its palatial rooms and halls including the 'Egyptian Hall' with its massive columns and stained-glass windows, where the Chancellor of the Exchequer gives his yearly speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet.
Check before visiting in case a function is being hosted here; this official home of the Lord Mayor of London is very much a working municipal building.
Written January 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith J
Wingham, UK56 contributions
Dec 2014 • Business
Attended a dinner given by one of the City Livery Companies. The Lord Mayor and his Sherriffs were in attendance. Splendid building with the Egyptian Room being one of the finest banqueting rooms in the City. Every member of staff wa kind and courteous. Makes one proud to be a british citizen .... We know how to do pagentry. Food and drink were excellent, service outstanding. Entertainment courtesy of a military orchestra was discreet but excellent. The post horn gallop played at either end of the minstrels gallery was a tour de force. Even the speeches were good and contributed to a perfect evening.
Written December 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rita B
London, UK27 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
Very interesting tour of this beautiful building. We were given a very informative tour by the very knowledgeable and experienced John. The gold and silver vault was breathtaking. Must be wonderful to experience all the pomp and ceremony of a formal ceremony or dinner there.
Written June 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bee
New Jersey709 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
Impressive looking building near St. Paul's Cathedral. This is impressive in a city with a lot of grand architecture. The guided tours are only on Tuesdays 7 BP.
Written January 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry F
Illinois50 contributions
May 2015
This is a very interesting historical building. Tours must be booked well in advance and are a bit difficult to come by.
Written July 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnotherHappyTraveler
Williamsburg, VA200 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
For £7 we queued at the door of the Lord Mayor of London's combined home/offices in the City for a fascinating real-time view of his world. A knowledgeable docent with a sense of humor showed us the historic banquet hall and other public rooms still used today for the mayor's big events and gatherings. The collection of Dutch Old Masters that cover the walls is a bonus. A nice change of pace from London's crowded historic sites.
Written March 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geographyguy_11
Brisbane, Queensland517 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
The public tour held on Tuesday afternoon of the Mansion House is very interesting. The tour guides know their stuff and their explanation about the role of Lord Mayor and the history of its holders is one of the best parts of the tour. The interior itself is not as palatial as the name or exterior suggests but it is still quite imposing and impressively decorated. it was mentioned that guidebooks were available for purchase by one of the guides but there wasn't anywhere to buy such a book. Mansion House is a nice addition to any itinerary through the City of London.
Written March 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FS28
Beaulieu, UK40 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I was invited as a guest to a Worshipful Company charity dinner held here. An opulent and splendid occasion in the Egyptian Hall. A memorable evening, with one of the nicest meals I've ever known. Excellent on every level.
Written November 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is photography allowed on the tour?
Written May 12, 2015
Yes, I took photos throughout the tour.
Written May 13, 2015
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