Lancaster House. It has entertained more Heads of State, politicians and celebrities than any other house in London.

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2 Lancaster House Lancaster House is the only unaltered survivor of a group of extravagant private palaces which were a focus of social and political life in Victorian and Edwardian London. The house began as a Royal residence called York House when it was commissioned by the Grand Old Duke of York in From 1830 until 1911 it was the residence of the Dukes of Sutherland and renamed Stafford House. In 1914 its lease was bought by a Lancastrian, Lord Leverhulme, and was given its present name. Lancaster House is an ideal venue for meetings, conferences and entertaining. This historic house offers a magnificent setting, a prestigious central London location and first-class facilities. Steeped in political history and magnificently preserved, Lancaster House has a wide range of rooms and a large garden. The house is a perfect backdrop for any occasion from an intimate dinner to an international summit. The house also has a glamorous side; it has been used for receptions, dinners and catwalk fashion shows during London Fashion Week. In 2007 various rooms on the first floor were used in the filming of The Young Victoria, Disney s National Treasure Book of Secrets and BBC/HBO s production of Churchill at War. It has entertained more Heads of State, politicians and celebrities than any other house in London.

3 The Grand Hall and Staircase On entering the house through the portico, the hall opens up to reveal a sweeping staircase in a deliberate echo of Versailles. This and the rococo balustrade are both part of Benjamin Wyatt s original design. The great skylight and the glowing colour of the walls are the work of Charles Barry who used scagliola (a coloured paste containing mineral fragments) to simulate marble on the walls and the granite-like pillars. Reception 200

4 The Long Gallery The Long Gallery can hold up to 200 people seated theatrestyle. Alternatively, it can accommodate a conference table for up to 68, with a further 100 people seated beside and behind the table. The Gallery provides a dramatic backdrop for big events; it is perfect for opening or closing ceremonies, press conferences, and receptions for up to 350 people. More than 35 metres in length, the Long Gallery dominates the whole of the east side of the house. With 18 windows and a large ornate skylight, the room is filled with natural light. Winston Churchill gave a Coronation Banquet for the newly crowned Queen Elisabeth II here in June More recently The Long Gallery has been used for a number of top level international talks, wedding receptions, fashion shows and filming. The ceiling painted by the Italian artist Guercino, shows St Chrysogonus borne to heaven by angels. The chimneypiece below features ormolu decorations from France and a shelf supported by gilded allegorical figures of Architecture and Painting. An anteroom at the end of the Gallery contains Zelotti s Cupid receiving an apple from the Graces. The tall, heavy doors are decorated with the Sutherland monogram. Reception 350 Theatre 200 Boardroom 68 Lunch/Dinner 150

5 The Music Room The Music Room can accommodate a boardroom table for 36, theatre style for 100 and lunch or dinner for up to 76 people. With windows opening onto a balcony overlooking Stable Yard and recesses flanked by Corinthian columns, the Music Room provides a grand setting for meetings, press briefings or formal dinners. The splendour of the rooms reflects the house s long association with music. Throughout the nineteenth century, few leading musicians came to London without appearing at one of the Sutherland s evening parties. Frederic Chopin played here for Victoria and Albert in The house records also show that he gave seven guineas worth of lessons to the young Lady Constance. Reception 150 Theatre 100 Boardroom 36 Lunch/Dinner 76

6 The State Drawing Room The State Drawing Room is suitable for a wide range of events. It can accommodate 24 people at a boardroom table, 48 for an informal lunch and 120 for a reception. Many dignitaries have enjoyed the splendid setting of the State Drawing Room. The 1954 Lancaster House Treaty was signed here beneath the richly coffered ceiling. Between the windows, which look on to St James s Park, candelabra are supported by a swarm of cherubs. The ornate chimney pieces are flanked by old bell pulls with faceted crystal centres, recalling the days when the house employed a large retinue of servants. Reception 120 Theatre 72 Boardroom 40 Lunch/Dinner 48

7 The Green Room The Green Room is ideal as a dining room for up to 20 people. As a press briefing room it can seat 28 people theatre style. Ministers have also used it as a private office during conferences. The ceiling painting of the solar system features all the signs of the zodiac, while the chimneypiece is carved with figures of Summer and Winter, said to represent two of the Duchess s many children. With it s original furnishings dating from the 1820 s, this room, once the second Duchess of Sutherland s boudoir, is a vibrant piece of living history Reception 40 Theatre 28 Boardroom 20 Lunch/Dinner 20

8 The State Dining Room Used mainly for ministerial lunches, the State Dining Room can seat up to 67 people. The most conspicuously old French room in the house, the State Dining Room-once the Sutherlands drawing room, commands an impressive view across the Mall and St James s Park. The clock on the table against the west wall is said to have belonged to Napoleon when he was First Consul. Reception 120 Theatre 72 Boardroom 40 Lunch/Dinner 67

9 The Gold Room The Gold Room can seat 20 people at a boardroom table, or 30 seated theatre-style. It is also ideal for pre-meeting drinks, a buffet or dinner The Gold Room was used as a private office by the Irish Foreign Minister during the 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Talks. Before the London Museum was moved to Kensington Palace, the Gold Room housed the famous Cheapside hoard of Elizabethan treasure. With it s original chandelier and antique clock by Thuillier of Paris, the Gold Room still retains more than an echo of the wealth and splendour. Reception 40 Theatre 30 Boardroom 20 Lunch/Dinner 16

10 Lancaster House Stable Yard St James s SW1A 1BB Venue Contacts: Trevor Andrews Office: Mobile: Trevor.andrews@fco.gov.uk Lynne Thompson Office: Mobile: Lynne.thompson@fco.gov.uk