“…Ninety-eight Granby Gate was for sale, and Sir Luke and Lady Sophia Garfield would take up their residence at Vocal Lodge. They were only going to use it as a summer residence. They were going to pull it down and build a block of flats. (The Georgian Group, wrapped in dreams of Federal Union, stirred in its sleep on hearing this, and groaned.)…”

Nancy Mitford, Pigeon Pie

The Georgian Group was established in 1937 by Lord Derwent, Douglas Goldring and Robert Byron for the protection and appreciation of Georgian buildings and gardens, and is the statutory consultee for all aspects of the planning process for listed buildings of the period. Its membership has included Sir John Betjeman, James Lees-Milne and Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, and it has appeared in the novels of both Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford.

It also provides practical advice on threats to the historic fabric of buildings, monuments, parks, and gardens built between 1700 and 1840, and has a small grant scheme. Alongside a bi-annual magazine – The Georgian – and a more substantial annual Journal, the Georgians host talks, arrange guided walks around London and private visits for members. Until the mid-1990s, 6 Fitzroy Square was the branch of the National Westminster bank favoured by Robert Maxwell, who swore to change banks if these premises were to close. After Maxwell’s death, The Georgian Group acquired the lease.