The genesis of the Carlton Club was in meetings of a small number of Tory Members of Parliament at an address in Charles Street, off St James's Square, following the massive reform majority in the 1831 General Election. By 1832, it was obvious that the premises were too small for the purpose of effective party organisation, added to which was the inconvenience of there being insufficient funds.

Indeed, presented with a suggestion that all Tory Members of Parliament should contribute £50 a year to the Charles Street organisation, the Duke of Wellington* commented: "Supposing that there are 200 gent, able to part with such a sum without inconvenience, which I think doubtful, you would expect that they would not require an explanation of the objects of the subscription!"

On 10th March 1832 a meeting at the Thatched House tavern appointed a committee to arrange the housing and management of a new club in the premises in Carlton Terrace made available by Lord Kensington. The name "Carlton Club" was adopted on 17th March of that year.

By 1835 the wealth and standing of the Club was such that it was able to occupy new premises on Pall Mall designed for the Club by Sir Robert Smirke. Membership of the Club was both a token of adherence to the Conservative party and, to the outside world, a badge of allegiance.

Today the Club continues to support the Party in many ways but the hub of the Party is now based in Smith Square at Party Headquarters. The Carlton Club remains, however, the Conservative Club. Although standing since 1816, 69 St James's Street only became the Clubhouse after the Pall Mall building was destroyed in an air-raid during the Second World War Many of the Club's most valuable possessions, including portraits of Conservative Prime Ministers and Cabinets since the 18th century, survived the destruction of the old Clubhouse and are still in the Club