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London's Oldest Restaurant Saved by National Trust
14 Oct
Summary
- Rules, London's oldest restaurant, gifted to National Trust.
- The £11m freehold includes historic collection for preservation.
- Restaurant will continue operating as a commercial tenant.
London's oldest restaurant, Rules, has been gifted to the National Trust to secure its future. Established in 1798 at 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, the restaurant has witnessed centuries of history and hosted numerous famous figures.
The £11 million freehold of the building, along with its historic collection including visitor books and menus, has been donated. This ensures the property will be preserved for generations to come. Rules will continue to operate as a commercial tenant under the National Trust.
Under the new arrangement, rent payments made by the restaurant will directly fund the conservation of the historic building. This remarkable preservation effort was made possible by the owner's extraordinary generosity. Famous patrons have included Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin, and David Bowie.
