The National Liberal Club boasts some of the best preserved Victorian architecture in London
Designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse – best known for London’s Natural History Museum – the NLC building has an elegant yet earthy style all its own. Waterhouse included Italianate and French Classical Revival elements in his design, but the magnificent tiles in natural colours were made at the Burmantofts factory in Leeds, shining examples of British craftsmanship. The final touch was to incorporate cutting-edge modern technology of the time, including London’s first-ever lift and electrical lighting throughout. When completed in 1887, the National Liberal Club was the largest clubhouse in the world, capable of accommodating 6,500 members – more than four times as many as the Reform Club.