Private gentleman's clubs in London are a big deal and have been for hundreds of years. While other countries like the US have their fair share of private member's only clubs, it is England's rich history that really gives these types of clubs the royalist feel.

The Carlton Club in London claims to be one of the oldest and most elite private Conservative clubs in not only England, but the world. Although its popularity has tapered off significantly since the height of its regard some hundred years ago, the club is still frequented by more than a handful of affluent members. The clubhouse was established for and still used by UK's Conservative Party (political).

While the Carlton Club may be located in the old Arthur's Club location now, it was originally founded in 1832. Tory Peers (the namesake of the traditionalist political philosophy Toryism, not a person), gentlemen and MPs started a private club to chat and coordinate various party activities after their party lost the First Reform Act.

In modern times, this club would be called a think tank, and the Carlton Club played perfect host to the men as they transformed their party from the Tories to the Conservatives. However, after the franchise grew in the late 1800s, Carlton Club lost its appeal. It still remained the principal headquarters for talks, but only ministers, party managers and MPs frequented the location.

The Carlton Club was named as such due to its location, Carlton Terrace. But with the expansion of the franchise and growth of members, the location quickly became too small to host any meaningful event. Pall Mall, London would be home to both the second and third clubs, and the club is most famous for the party's overthrowing of leader Austen Chamberlain in 1922.

During the Blitz in 1940, Carlton Club took a direct hit that was absolutely devastating to the exterior of the club. However, and most astonishingly, no one inside the building was killed. Even with the complete outside of the building reduced to rubble, all inside remained relatively unharmed.

Deciding that the party's principles were worth fighting for, the men immediately changed the location of their club, taking over the 69 St. James's Street location where Arthur's Club was housed. The club has remained there for nearly 80 years, even seeing a drastic shift in the UK to a more “social” political philosophy.

The Carlton Club would be attacked yet again, only this time by terrorists and not during a war. On June 25, 1990, the IRA (Provisional Irish Republican Army) bombed the club, injuring nearly two dozen and killing Lord Kaberry.

The club was ultra-exclusive, only catering to men who were Conservatives and could be expected to help further the ideals of the Conservative Party. In order to obtain membership previously, you would have to be recommended by another member and then seconded.

In the 1970s, Carlton Club changed their uber-traditionalist ways and started allowing women to become associate members, meaning they could participate in the club but not be granted voting rights. This too changed when, in 1975, Lady Thatcher became a Conservative leader and thus an honorary member of the club. But this honor was only for Thatcher. Carlton Club didn't grant full rights to women until 2008.