Our home
About the National Liberal Club
The Orpington Circle meets at the National Liberal Club, on Whitehall Place in the heart of Westminster. Founded in 1882 as the original home of the Liberal Party, the Club is today a private members' club open to all — a vibrant and diverse community that keeps its Liberal roots while welcoming members from every walk of life.
“What are the Clubs of London? I am afraid little else than temples of luxury and ease. This, however, is a club of a very different character.”
William Gladstone, at the laying of the foundation stone
In the heart of Whitehall
Designed by the architect Alfred Waterhouse, the Club's grand renaissance-style clubhouse was the largest ever built at the time. Steeped in the history of the Liberal politics that shaped the modern world, it brings members and guests together to hear talks, debate politics and contemporary ideas, enjoy music and literature, dine and socialise — the same spirit on which it was founded.
A century of remarkable members
Past and present members include some of the leading thinkers and creatives of their day, among them:
- William Gladstone
- David Lloyd George
- George Bernard Shaw
- H.G. Wells
- Andrew Carnegie
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Violet Bonham Carter
- Dylan Thomas
- Bram Stoker
Find out more
The Orpington Circle is one of the Club's clubs and circles. To learn more about the National Liberal Club — its Liberal politics, rooms, dining and membership — visit the Club's own website.