The County Club

What The County Club does

The County Club, founded in 1882, is a private members' club located at 158 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, operating from a building comprising three 17th-century houses on the site of a 12th-century inn. It is described as Guildford's only private members' club and is structured as a proprietary club owned by The County Club, Guildford Ltd., a private limited company registered in England and Wales (company number 85328). The club serves up to 600 Ordinary Members, plus Temporary, Honorary, and Spouse Members, drawn primarily from local professionals and affluent individuals seeking networking, business meetings, private dining, and cultural events.

The core product is membership itself, bundled with access to four refurbished meeting rooms (Carroll, Abbot, Wodehouse, Doric) accommodating 2 to 70 delegates, a traditional homecooked English food and beverage programme, a calendar of cultural and social events (jazz evenings, comedy nights, quiz nights, bridge classes, talks, art workshops, golf days), and reciprocal guest privileges at 12 affiliated private members' clubs across the UK and internationally (Thailand, South Africa, India). Membership admission requires nomination by an existing member and committee approval following a 14-day public posting period.

Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring annual membership subscriptions, transaction-based food and beverage sales, and pay-as-you-go room hire (priced from £225 to £875 per day depending on room and duration, with members receiving a 20% discount). The club employs 1-10 staff supported by a committee of directors, operates Tuesday through Saturday with limited hours, and is governed by a President (Richard Hemingway), Chairman (Jane Derbyshire), Directors, Honorary Secretary, and Committee Members. Day-to-day management is led by General Manager Julian, appointed mid-2023. The club markets through its website, Mailchimp newsletter, social media, and word-of-mouth referrals, with membership pricing not publicly disclosed.

Name

The County Club

Legal name

The County Club, Guildford Ltd.

Website

https://thecountyclub.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The County Club is Guildford's only private members' club, founded in 1882, offering up to 600 members dining, four refurbished meeting rooms, a cultural events programme, and reciprocal access to 12 affiliated private clubs across the UK and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Members' Club Services

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Memberships & Invitation-Only Experiences (HSACAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Travel & Services Membership Clubs (Ancillary Services-Led) (CRAEADAK)

Keywords

• Private members club
• Club membership
• Meeting room hire
• Club dining
• Social events programme

Headquarters

HQ city

Guildford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees providing access to the club's facilities, events, dining, meeting rooms, and reciprocal access to affiliated clubs worldwide.
2. Room Hire: Four meeting rooms accommodating 2-70 delegates available for hire. Full members receive 20% discount on room hire rates. Rooms include Carroll Room (boardroom for 10, dining for 10), Abbot Room (theatre 12, boardroom 8, dining 8), Wodehouse Room (theatre 40, boardroom 30, dining 30), and Doric Room (theatre 70, dining 68).
3. Food and Beverage: Traditional homecooked English fare served during brunches, lunches, and dinners. Beverages including beers, wines, spirits, liquors, and cigars available. Private hire of dining facilities for celebratory occasions offered at discounted rates to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The County Club operates Guildford's only private members' club, selling annual memberships that grant access to dining facilities, four hireable meeting rooms, a programme of social and cultural events, and reciprocal privileges at 12 affiliated clubs across the UK and internationally. The club also generates revenue from room hire, food and beverage sales, and ticketed member events.

Product overview

The County Club is Guildford's only private members' club, established in 1882, offering a unified membership product that bundles access to dining facilities, four hireable meeting rooms (Carroll, Abbot, Wodehouse, and Doric), a regular events programme (including jazz evenings, comedy nights, talks, and bridge classes), and reciprocal privileges at affiliated clubs across the UK and internationally. The core offering is the membership itself, which provides access to all club facilities and services including discounted room hire and dining rates for members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The County Club Membership Private members' club membership offering access to exclusive facilities, dining, meeting rooms, events, and reciprocal privileges at affiliated clubs across the UK and internationally.
• Meeting Rooms Hire (Carroll, Abbot, Wodehouse, Doric) Four recently refurbished meeting rooms accommodating 2 to 70 delegates, featuring air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV screens, and catering facilities. Includes the Carroll Room (boardroom for 10), Abbot Room (theatre for 12), Wodehouse Room (theatre for 40), and Doric Room (theatre for 70).
• Dining Services Traditional homecooked English fare served in the Doric room, lounge bar, or terrace during summer months. Includes brunch, lunch, and dinner options with discounted private hire rates for celebratory occasions.
• Club Events Programme Regular events calendar including Friday Club Night, Saturday brunch, bridge classes, business networking groups, art workshops, reading groups, comedy nights, jazz evenings, talks, and seasonal celebrations.
• Affiliated Clubs Programme Reciprocal club membership programme providing guest privileges at affiliated private clubs across the UK (City Livery Club, National Liberal Club, The Athenaeum, Bath and County Club, Cardiff & County Club, and others) and internationally (British Club Bangkok, Wanderers Club South Africa, Jodhpur Club India).

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to 12 affiliated private members' clubs across the UK and internationally

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• City Livery ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal agreement allowing members of The County Club to access guest privileges at City Livery Club in London (Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TB). Members require letter of introduction from The County Club with minimum two weeks notice.
• National Liberal ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal agreement with National Liberal Club located at Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE. One of London's prestigious private members' clubs.
• The Athenaeum (Liverpool)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal arrangement with The Athenaeum at Church Alley, Liverpool L1 3DD. Liverpool's renowned literary and cultural institution.
• The Bath and County ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal agreement with The Bath and County Club at Queens Parade, Bath BA1 2NJ. Historic private members' club in Bath.
• Cardiff & County ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal arrangement with Cardiff & County Club at Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1DA.
• Winchester House ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal agreement with Winchester House Club in Putney, London SW15 1JN.
• The Norfolk ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal arrangement with The Norfolk Club at 17 Upper Kings Street, Norwich NR3 1RB.
• The Clifton ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal agreement with The Clifton Club at 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS.
• The Royal Scots ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal arrangement with The Royal Scots Club at 29-31 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6QE.
• British Club BangkokcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational reciprocal agreement with British Club Bangkok at 18 Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. Provides international access for members.
• The Wanderers ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational reciprocal arrangement with The Wanderers Club at 21 North Street, Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa 2196.
• Jodhpur ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational reciprocal agreement with Jodhpur Club at Gangana Diversion, Boranada Road, Rajasthan, India.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• City Livery Club: A London private members' club at Bell Wharf Lane with reciprocal guest privileges for The County Club members. Directly comparable traditional private members' club with dining, meeting facilities, and reciprocal arrangements.
• National Liberal Club: A prestigious Whitehall Place private members' club with mutual reciprocal access for The County Club members. Traditional London club offering dining, accommodation, and events to a professional membership base.
• The Bath and County Club: Historic private members' club in Bath at Queens Parade with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Most directly comparable peer given the parallel 'County Club' naming, similar heritage positioning, and town-centre location.
• Cardiff & County Club: Private members' club on Westgate Street, Cardiff, with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Comparable regional town-based private members' club with dining, events, and meeting facilities.
• The Athenaeum (Liverpool): Liverpool's renowned literary and cultural private members' institution at Church Alley with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Comparable historic members' club offering cultural programming and dining.
• The Clifton Club: Bristol private members' club at 22 The Mall, Clifton with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Comparable traditional town-based members' club with dining, bar, and event facilities.
• The Royal Scots Club: Edinburgh private members' club at Abercromby Place with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Comparable traditional Scottish members' club offering accommodation, dining, and event spaces.
• Winchester House Club: Putney-based private members' club with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Comparable traditional London members' club serving a similar professional demographic.
• The Norfolk Club: Norwich private members' club at Upper Kings Street with reciprocal access for The County Club members. Comparable historic regional members' club with dining, bar, and function facilities.

Broad incumbents

• Soho House: Global private members' club operator with multiple UK locations targeting creative and professional demographics. Broader incumbent offering more locations and modern amenities, but overlapping membership demographic and hospitality-driven business model.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-county-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The County Club