Mansion House, London

Mansion House in the City of London is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London-not to be confused with the more modern "Mayor of London." Built between 1739 and 1753, this mansion was designed by George Dance the Elder, in the Palladian style, exuding all the grandeur you'd expect from the home of the City’s top ceremonial figure. As such, the building has long been a symbol of civic pride and financial prestige.

At the core of the house lies the Egyptian Hall, an impressive banquet space named not for its design theme, but because "Egyptian" once meant "exotic" and awe-inspiring. The hall is distinguished by towering columns and a barrel-vaulted ceiling with coffered panels. It regularly hosts high-profile events, including the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, where the Prime Minister and other dignitaries deliver significant political speeches over multi-course meals and fine silverware.

The Mansion House also serves as a mini-museum of sorts. Visitors lucky enough to join a guided tour-available weekly and during events like Open House London-can view an array of opulent rooms such as the Court Room, the ballroom, and the grand staircase. The interiors are adorned with Corinthian columns, crystal chandeliers, and gilded details. The mansion houses an impressive collection of gold and silver regalia, including a 36-pound gold mace and the pearl sword given by Queen Elizabeth I. There's also a striking art collection.

In essence, Mansion House is where tradition, ceremony, and history quietly mingle beneath a veneer of neoclassical splendor. Though walk-ins aren’t allowed, there are tours operating on a “first-come, first-served” basis via the Walbrook entrance; no prior booking is needed. But even from the outside, the building is an architectural gem-perfectly situated near Bank Junction, close to the Bank of England Museum, Royal Exchange, and St. Stephen Walbrook church.

After visiting, you might stroll along Cornhill to see a statue of James Henry Greathead, a pioneer of underground railway technology, and stop for a pint at The Counting House, a former bank-turned-pub with ornate interiors and classic London charm.