Tour of Mansion House

Mansion House is one of the grandest surviving Georgian town palaces in London, with magnificent interiors containing elaborate plasterwork and carved timber ornament. It is the purpose-built home of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, providing living and working space for him and his household as well as rooms for large ceremonial events and banquets.

Within its walls are a wealth of treasures including the Harold Samuel collection, which comprises 84 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings by such masters by Frans Hals, Nicolaes Maes and Jacob van Ruisdael. Its gold and silver plate collections are also impressive - see the Lord Mayor's sword and mace, the fire cup and the pearl sword which, according to legend, was used by Elizabeth I at the opening of Royal Exchange in 1571.

Tours will be led by the City of London Guides and take place every Tuesday at 2pm. They last one hour and cost £6 per person (£4 concessions).

No booking is necessary simply meet in Walbrook (exit 8 from Bank tube station) by the A-board near the porch entrance to Mansion House and pay the guide in cash. Tours are limited to a maximum of 40 guests and work on a first come first served basis.