Alpine Club

Founded in 1857, the Alpine Club has always had its premises in central London, and is held in high esteem as the world's first mountaineering club. Originally structured as a gentleman's club, its first president and chairman were John Ball and E.S Kennedy, respectively. The club remains active today with membership for both men and women, based on mountain experience, qualifications and nominations from existing member. The headquarters in Shoreditch are also home to the club's extensive libraries and object and photograph archives, which are often used for exhibitions and lectures.