
Spencer House
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London’s finest surviving 18th-century aristocratic palace, built for the first Earl Spencer.
Spencer House was conceived as a ‘Temple of the Arts’ for the entertainment of the political, social and cultural elite, and considered the most sumptuous private residence ever built in London. Occupying a central space in the history of British architecture, the state rooms designed by John Vardy and James 'Athenian' Stuart were among the first neo-classical interiors in Europe.
The house contains a small but significant collection of Old Master paintings and 18th-century English furniture on long-term loan from the V&A and Temple Newsham, including original pieces designed by the architects and displayed in their 18th-century locations. Also on loan is an important group of five major historical paintings by Benjamin West from the Royal Collection Trust and important paintings and works from private and public collections including Tate, the Royal Academy, Royal Pavilion and Museums (Brighton and Hove) and the National Trust.