Carlton Club , members' club

The Carlton Club was founded in 1832 by members of the Tory Party as a political organisation. Having lost the General Election in 1831, the Tories decided to meet regularly at a house in Charles Street, Westminster to deliberate on the issue of reorganising the party. Within a few months, it was agreed that a club affiliated to the Tory Party should be set up. On 10th March 1832, the Marquis of Salisbury chaired a meeting at the Thatched House Tavern, Saint James's Street in which a committee of Tory peers and members of parliament were appointed to draw up the rules for a new club. By the end of March, the Carlton Club was established and 500 people agreed to be members.

Until the end of 1835, the club was located at Lord Kensington's House at 2 Carlton House Terrace, Westminster. Seeking larger premises, the club moved to 94 Pall Mall, a building designed by Robert Smirke and erected between 1833 and 1836. The new clubhouse was enlarged in 1846-1848 and then completely rebuilt by Sydney Smirke in 1856. Between 1923 and 1924, the Caen stone façade to the building was replaced to the designs of Sir Reginald Blomfield. On the 14th October 1940, 94 Pall Mall was destroyed by a bomb and Carlton Club moved to Arthur's Club's old premises at 69 Saint James's Street where it still remains.

Since its foundation, only individuals who support the Conservative Party have been eligible for membership. Applicants must be proposed and seconded by two existing members and their names entered into a candidate's book. After two months, a decision is made by the General Committee as to whether they should be elected. Until 2008, only men could become full members, although from the 1970s women were admitted as associated members. On 22nd May 2008, the club changed its membership rules giving the same rights to both male and female members.

The Carlton Club remains the Conservative Club, with leaders of the party always invited to become honorary members. The club offers many facilities to members, including overnight accommodation and the ability to visit many reciprocal clubs around the world. The club also hosts numerous political lunches, dinners and meetings.