Royal Horsegaurds Hotel Oval 18" Platter English Silver Plate c.1971. SKU #: A4167
A hotel that's in the heart of London has a rich history that not many know of - The Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall, which has been around since the 1800s, has been through quite a lot over the centuries.
The extravagant building was constructed in the 1880s and the now-hotel is situated in a French chateau-style, Grade I-listed building near Embankment station. Initially during the building's first 50 years it was used as luxury apartments and suites. Then, in 1971 it was turned into a fully-fledged hotel.
The venue is steeped in history and was constructed by famous architect and designer Alfred Waterhouse (who also designed the Natural History Museum). Its most popular fact is to do with its military history, as the original headquarters of MI5 and MI6 and home of its first chief Sir Mansfield Cummings.
It was the backdrop for some of the most important meetings in World War Two, with the Prime Minister travelling to the building from Downing Street via secret tunnels which can be seen from the basement today. In fact, you can hire halls for private dinners in the basement and see the boarded up wall that supposedly leads to the tunnel where the Prime Minister used to go back and fourth.
The concept for the secret tunnel was that if there was a Nazi invasion in World War Two, government ministers could sneak off through the tunnel out of Downing Street. The site has been continuously occupied by the National Liberal Club, with strong ties to Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone - including a stone laid by him in the basement. The hotel also features stunning architectural details and portraits of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and several other notable figures.
Now the Royal Horseguards Hotel is award-winning and has 282 rooms as well as five executive suites with amazing city views. It also has a critically acclaimed restaurant, swanky cocktail bar, a terrace overlooking the Thames. Speaking to MyLondon, Pedro da Silva, general manager at The Royal Horseguards Hotel said: “This stunning hotel is steeped in history, and goes all the way back to 1884 when it was constructed as residential apartments by the famous architect and designer Alfred Waterhouse.
“The hotel was the backdrop for some of the most important meetings in World War Two, with the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, often visiting with government colleagues. Guests can get a glimpse of this history by journeying down to the original Wine Cellar. While today it is used for private dining experiences, it hosts a number of historical treasures, including a stone laid by former Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, as well as the original machinery that was developed to bring the beer barrels into the building, and the old fuse box that is of the same original designs used on the Titanic.
“Its most intriguing feature, however, is the underground tunnel that was built at the start of World War Two, which Churchill reportedly used to travel to and from nearby Downing Street. Upon the ringing of the divisional bell, the members were allocated 15 minutes in which to vacate the premises and make their way to the Houses of Parliament to vote on the various issues of the day. It’s such an intimate space, and the hustle and bustle of the capital seems lightyears away when you’re down there, and of course this paired with our best-in-class service makes for an unforgettable evening.
“It’s a truly Victorian space, with strong ties to Gladstone and other political figures. Also in the cellar is a stone laid by Gladstone, and our event space ‘The Gladstone Library’ too takes his name. The hotel also features stunning architectural details and portraits of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and several other notable figures from British history."