Clarence House, one of the last remaining aristocratic townhouses in London. Built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash, Clarence House takes its name from its first occupant, William Henry, Duke of Clarence, later William IV.

The arrangement of the rooms and the groupings of their contents remain much as they were in Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s time, with important works from Her Majesty’s collection of art in their original positions. A tour of the House includes five rooms on the ground floor where official engagements are undertaken. 

In the Duke of Clarence's time the Lancaster Room, the first room off the Hall, was the Equerry's Room and has served as a waiting room for visitors ever since. The Morning Room was originally designed as the breakfast room. The large window into the garden was added by the Duchess of Kent around 1841. The Library was used by The Queen Mother for intimate dinners when she lived in the house. The Dining Room is enhanced with gilding and ceiling decoration from the early 1900s. The Garden Room was created from two rooms which Princess Margaret lived in before her marriage. 

The tour of Clarence House begins in the garden, where you can see the formal area added in 2004–5 in memory of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. The planting was laid out to by members of The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts.

Many of the pieces on display in Clarence House form part of The Queen Mother's collection, and are displayed according to her layout. Elsewhere are examples of Chinese porcelain, some originally made for the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, a Tompion clock made for William III at Kensington Palace, and works by Landseer and Bogdani. Find out more about the Royal Collection at Clarence House.