National Trust Acquires London's Oldest Restaurant Rules, Valued at £11 Million

J.P. Mayhew, who has owned Rules restaurant for four decades, is giving the building, its art collection, and the business's rent to the National Trust, a British conservation organization. This generous contribution is appraised at £11 million (around $14.5 million). Established in 1798 on Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, Rules has only changed ownership three times and has welcomed ten British monarchs, 45 prime ministers, and notable figures like Charles Dickens, Charlie Chaplin, Madonna, and Harrison Ford. Edward VII had a private entrance built for discreet visits with his mistress, Lillie Langtry, who gifted the restaurant a signed portrait. After surviving WWII by serving wild game during limited hours, Mayhew sold the business to Ricky McMenemy in 2022, who will now be a commercial tenant for the Trust. This building marks the first in the Trust's collection to operate as a restaurant. The Trust also manages 39 historic pubs and various country house hotels. McMenemy will oversee daily operations, while the Trust intends to enhance accessibility, potentially through virtual tours. National curator Lucy Porten has confirmed there will be no scones.