Situated in the heart of the City of London in Mayfair, the Wentworth Club can be found at 18A Clifford Street, W1S 3RF.
Named for the old medieval May Fair held outside the Westminster City walls, Mayfair was developed as a fashionable (and usually expensive) residential area during the 18th and 19th centuries by a few wealthy landlords – the largest landowner in the area during the 1920s was the Duke of Westminster. Although it does not have the tourist attractions of the West End, many wealthy, titled and important people live in the area and jealously guard their privacy.
A three-storey building, the premises are wholly given over to the club’s affairs. Beyond the imposing black wooden door are a range of rooms in which the members can find solace from the hectic hustle and bustle of London life.
Like most London clubs, the Wentworth appoints membership by application. The individual must present their credentials and have a letter of recommendation from another club member.
Whilst the application process is not as harsh or demanding as some clubs, the club’s board of trustees takes pride in only offering membership to those it feels who are “good eggs.”
Exactly what this means in reality is anyone’s guess, although a good background and an interest in the esoteric and occult is usually enough to persuade the board of an individual’s merit, that and a relatively healthy bank balance.
Unusually for what is considered a “gentleman’s club,” the Wentworth accepts membership from both men and women, having recently voted to allow women “of good standing” to join. Ladies are only permitted access to the ground floor and the library on the first floor. At certain times of the year, ladies are permitted to join their male colleagues in the dinning room for one of the many annual grand dinners. In addition, the ladies room on the ground floor is only available to female members – men are completely barred from entering.
The club is open to members between the hours of 6 am and 12 midnight, although later or earlier access may be granted if an application is made a day in advance. Trusted serving staff reside on site at all times and have been known to provide assistance at odd hours of the night to members who, for one reason or another, come to find themselves in difficulty.
Although rare, expulsion from the club can happen should members cause to bring disrepute to themselves and/or the club. Where it can clearly be seen that a particular member is set upon a path of self-inspired destruction, such as facing financial woes or potentially indulging in criminal activities, the club’s board may nominate a trusted member (usually one of the “old fellows”) to have a quiet word with the person concerned in the hope that they can be led onto the “right” path.
Generally, club members share an interest in folklore, mythology, history and the occult. Most members are happy to indulge in their interests with a book and a good glass of port by their side, relaxed and waited upon by the serving staff. A few, however, prefer more active engagement in their studies and use the club as base for planning their excavations and explorations, whether they are journeying to Cumbria to take part in an archaeological dig or heading off into mysterious and exotic foreign jungles.
The ground floor consists of an entrance hallway leading variously to three large reception rooms, the ladies room, a cloakroom, a tearoom and the kitchens. The ground level rooms are available for members and guests of members to use (the upper floors being members only), whilst below ground can be found storage cellars and servant’s quarters. Private offices, lounges, as well as a large dining room and library make up the contents of the upper floors.
The décor is rich and luxurious, with high leather backed armchairs, purple flocked wallpaper, chandeliers and plush Persian rugs providing a genteel, is somewhat faded atmosphere. Servants attend to the members’ needs, supplying refreshments and meals upon request. The servants, led by Joseph Sykes, are discreet and loyal.
Notable Characters of the Wentworth Club:
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