RA Collection: People and Organisations
Private members' club in St James's, London, founded in 1832, by Tory peers, MPs and gentlemen, as a place to coordinate party activity after the party's defeat over the First Reform Act. The 1st Duke of Wellington was a founding member. It was the original home of the Conservative Party before the creation of Conservative Central Office.
The club was formed at the Thatched House Tavern in 1832 and its first premises were in Carlton Terrace (provided by Lord Kensington), from which it drew its name. These premises were quickly found too small. The second club house was situated near to the Reform Club at 94 Pall Mall, London, and was purpose-built in 1835. It was replaced by a third club house on the same site in 1856. The club suffered a direct hit during the Blitz on 14 October 1940 and subsequently moved to premises in St James's Street.