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RAF Club Piccadilly

Piccadilly 128, London

England Greater London London

The Royal Flying Corps Club opened on 1 January 1917 at 13 Bruton Street, Mayfair, as a residential club for flying officers on leave. Renamed the Royal Air Force Club in 1919, it faced closure in 1921 until Lord Cowdray donated £100,000 to establish a permanent home at 128 Piccadilly, refurbished and extended to open in 1922. Membership initially struggled until reforms in the 1960s revitalized the Club and made it more inclusive.

During World War II, the Club saw heavy use, but post-war shortages left the building in poor condition by 1945. Membership peaked at 2,500 during the war and remained stable into the early 1950s. By 1958, a vigorous membership drive grew numbers to 5,000, though a lack of appeal to younger officers and the exclusion of female members led to decline by the mid-1960s.

Later reforms added female officers as full members and modernized the Club, culminating in charitable status and the 1986 purchase of its freehold. Continuous investments expanded facilities, including a Fitness Centre and Business Suite in 2018 during the RAF’s centenary, opened by Her Majesty The Queen. Today, the Club serves 24,000 members, offering dining, function rooms, fitness facilities, and accommodations while maintaining its heritage.

Art Collection
The Royal Air Force Club proudly showcases its extensive art collection, including original aviation paintings and Squadron Badges that enrich the Club’s historical ambiance. A standout feature is the stained glass window designed by Helen Whittaker, installed in 2009 on the rear staircase, symbolizing the RAF's history and forward momentum.
In 2017, Helen Whittaker created two additional stained glass windows, commemorating women in RAF service. Unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen on October 17, 2018, these windows transformed an underutilized space into a centenary celebration highlight. The club also has a bust of Sir Wallis Barnes.

Library
Founded in 2002 with a significant donation of books from aviation artist Frank Wootton, the collection has expanded to nearly 3,500 volumes. It chronicles aviation and the history of the Royal Air Force, spanning from World War I to the present day.

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