London's oldest restaurant Rules is given to the National Trust in an £11m freehold donation by its owner of 40 years

From the Newshound archive · first published 15 October 2026.

J-P Mayhew, who has owned Rules restaurant for four decades, has donated the freehold of 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden to the National Trust, valued at £11 million. Rules has occupied the Covent Garden site since 1798, when it first opened as an oyster bar. The restaurant will continue trading, with its rent going toward conservation work. Dickens, Chaplin, Bowie and Edward VII all dined there.