Rules, London's oldest restaurant, given to the National Trust
Rules, the oldest restaurant in London, has been given to the National Trust, The Guardian and BBC News reported. The owner gave the building and its visitor books, menus and photos in a gift worth £11 million. Rules opened in 1798 and will keep trading as the trust's tenant, with little change to the menu, The Guardian reported.
Rules, London's oldest restaurant, has been given to the National Trust, The Guardian and BBC News reported. Owner J-P Mayhew donated the restaurant's home at 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, along with its historic collection, in a gift worth £11 million, The Guardian and BBC News reported.
Rules opened in 1798 and has changed hands only three times, The Guardian reported. Its diners have included Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin and Laurence Olivier, The Guardian reported. King Edward VII used to meet actress Lillie Langtry in a curtained corner on the second floor, and writer Graham Greene featured the restaurant in his novel The End of the Affair, BBC News reported.
The restaurant will keep trading as a commercial tenant of the charity, with its rent going toward conserving the building, BBC News reported. Mayhew sold the restaurant business in 2022 to Ricky McMenemy, its longtime general manager, who will become the tenant, The Guardian reported. McMenemy, who has worked there for 35 years, said the deal gives the business "both the security and peace of mind that our home will be in very good hands," according to BBC News.
"The trust will protect this place in a way that no-one else could," Mayhew said, according to BBC News. The gift is one of the most valuable in the National Trust's recent history and marks its first move into the restaurant business, though it already owns 39 historic pubs, The Guardian reported. National Trust curator Lucy Porten said the charity's day-to-day role "will probably be very light touch" and that diners can expect little change to the menu, according to The Guardian. "There will be no scones," she said, according to The Guardian. National Trust members will not get special access or prices, The Guardian reported.
What we know: The National Trust now owns the building and collection of Rules, which will keep operating as a restaurant.
What we don't: How the public will be able to see the building, though the charity is exploring virtual visits, The Guardian reported.
Where outlets agree The Guardian and BBC News both report that the owner of Rules gave its building and historic collection to the National Trust in an £11 million gift.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.