Why Private Members’ Clubs Are Leaving London for the Countryside

By the mid-19th century, clubs had seemingly cleaned up their acts and consequently surged into popularity. More than 400 opened across London, mostly on the streets surrounding Pall Mall, giving rise to its nickname of ‘Clubland.’ Housed in grand Palladian mansions, they formed the blueprint still associated with private members’ clubs today: bars, libraries, billiards rooms, private rooms for gambling, bedrooms for those who required them, and dimly lit corners where…