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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Union Jack Club near Waterloo station, London

Union Jack club is for all the armed services. (Unlike other London clubs specifically for the army, navy or air force.)

Delightful, entertaining photos and paintings and historic items. I saw a framed mention of Jewish services (AJEX), toastmasters, and South Africans. Plus a picture of the poppies, red around the Tower of London.
A picture of the ceramic poppies at the Tower of London.

Souvenirs and Gifts
You can also buy an oblong horizontal Union Jack design cushion for £10 and a small number of other items including a lady's scarf. I'm not sure why anybody would want to buy what looks like a china model of a bulldog bearing a union Jack, but if such a thing appeals to you, take a look.

Joining and Donating
I understand the fees are quite modest, about £30 a year. I think it's a great refuge, cheaper than a pub and safer.

Tea
We only ordered tea. I don't drink tea so I asked my companions if it was Okay. One of them said, 'Hot water and a tea bag. You can't really to anything wrong.' Free newspapers to read. Enough pictures and ornaments and displayed and news cuttings about the royal family and history to keep you busy for hours.

Toilets
I thought the place was very clean. The ladies toilet had hand wash gel and moisturiser ins dispensers like smart hotel, not much aroma, but it felt very elegant.

Verdict
If you don't have a club and want somewhere to sit or entertain friends, a great refuge. Year's membership the price of one meal out.

There's an outdoor lift to take one or two people up the flight of steps outside the building. Don't lean on the back wall as I did or you'll get a shock when the lift moves off and rubs past you. No inner door at the back.

If you are taken to the club as a visitor you might not see all it has to offer but the brochures reveal much more. In addition to the express espresso bar in the lobby, there's a restaurant, accommodation, a car park, upstairs meeting rooms and a large room for up to 180 people.
www.ujclub.co.uk

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, researcher, author, speaker.

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