One of London's oldest restaurant, Rules, is now a National Trust property

It's the second oldest restaurant in London (and the oldest to have stayed in one location), now Rules has entered true national treasure status by being donated to the National Trust. The building's owner, J-P Mayhew, announced the news today, having handed over ownership of the £11m freehold to the charity. And in one fell swoop, he's secured the future of one of the city's best-known restaurants.

An iconic venue, Rules was opened back in 1798 when William Pitt the Younger was PM, George III was King and Nelson had just won the Battle of the Nile. Over the years, it's welcomed everyone from Charles Dickens to Liza Minnelli through its doors. The restaurant has also become a favourite location for filmmakers, popping up in everything from James Bond to Downton Abbey.

The change of ownership isn't expected to make any material difference to the day-to-day running of the restaurant. But it will be the first restaurant to be part of the National Trust's portfolio (it also owns various pubs, including the fabulous George Inn in Southwark). What it will do is protect the restaurant from any redevelopment plans in the area.

And if you're thinking who on earth would consider getting rid of such an illustrious piece of London's history, well, the restaurant has already survived plans in the 1970s to turn the nearby Strand into a dual carriageway which would have meant bulldozing the street it's on.

"This place is an outstanding piece of living history," says Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, "with its corners where kings dined and writers and politicians plotted. [Mr Mayhew's] gift ensures that one of London's great living institutions will remain part of the city's cultural life, with all its stories, traditions and character intact."