# National Trust acquisition of Rules restaurant

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/national-trust-acquisition-of-rules-restaurant
> Updated: 2026-10-16T06:03:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

The National Trust has acquired the building housing Rules, London’s oldest restaurant, located in Covent Garden. The establishment has operated continuously since 1798.

The £11 million freehold gift was provided by J-P Mayhew, who has owned the site for 40 years. The donation includes the historic building at 34-35 Maiden Lane, as well as a collection of visitor books, menus, paintings, drawings, caricatures, and stained glass. 

To ensure long-term preservation, the donation includes the annual rent from the ongoing restaurant business, which will be used to fund conservation efforts. The National Trust described the site as a ‘rare example of living heritage’ where the historic structure and its original use remain intact.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: National Trust acquires Rules, London’s oldest restaurant

London’s oldest restaurant, Rules, has been donated to the National Trust by owner J-P Mayhew to ensure the preservation of the historic Covent Garden building and its collections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-trust-acquires-rules-londons-oldest-restaurant

### 2026-10-13: National Trust receives London’s oldest restaurant

London’s oldest restaurant, Rules in Covent Garden, has been gifted to the National Trust to safeguard its historic building and collection for future generations.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-trust-receives-londons-oldest-restaurant

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Cite as: National Trust acquisition of Rules restaurant. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/national-trust-acquisition-of-rules-restaurant