Growing up watching White House broadcasts announcing another conflict in the Middle East or in more recent times, statements about President Clinton’s improper sexual liaisons in the Oval office, made the place all the more intriguing to visit. I never imagined anything other than a glimpse of the exterior was possible. Still, even seeing the lawn leading up the President’s grandiose entrance was worth an afternoon stroll in Washington DC.

Sitting down on a bench I started to read up on the building’s history, for it’s from here that every US President, except George Washington, has governed. When the British burnt it down in 1814, it was rebuilt between 1815 and 1817 within the same walls, and then again in 1948-1952. It still remains recognisable since 1792 however, when its foundation stone was laid down. For over 200 years the White House has become known as a centre of presidential power, where peace treaties and arms deals have been sealed, and where presidents have conducted affairs of State and of other varieties.

It felt more like a set for a soap opera than a real governing body. I half imagined Joan Collins coming out on the balcony and JR Ewing marching across the lawn. Except for a few men walking around in Bond-like black sweaters and matching jeans, the place was surprisingly serene.

Looking across to the side entrance, I realised a huge crowd were making their way into the building. I wondered how so many people had got an invite. Was this the equivalent of the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace? The young man explained that if I went off to the White House Visitor’s Centre on 1450 Pennsylvania Ave, I could join one of the alphabetical tours. Off I went in great excitement and an hour later I was wandering around the White House library. It contained volumes of history, biography, fiction and the sciences by American authors. The leather bound books reminded me of a scene in a Dickens’ novel and as I reached out to touch one, a hand grabbed me.

“FBI madam” and turning on my heels I found myself in front of a tall American with wires coming out of ears and several pockets. He smiled with amusement and let me go saying in a slow American drawl, “You can only look honey.”

Moving swiftly on we came to the Vermeil room, which was once used as a billiard room. It’s now used for various functions and contains portraits of recent First Ladies. It has an extensive collection of Vermeil china, but this time I decided not to touch. After all I didn’t want to find myself at the mercy of American justice. Going on to the China Room which was set aside in 1917 by Edith Wilson to display pieces of China and glass used by the presidents. I felt increasingly like I was in a museum not a glamorous home. The place felt surprisingly austere despite it containing more than money can buy.

The Diplomatic Reception Room was the only place that fulfilled my expectations. It’s one of three oval rooms in the White House and is used as the entrance for new ambassadors coming to the White House to present their credentials to the President. From this room, President Franklin D Roosevelt broadcast his fireside chats.

The East Room is the largest in the White House and several daughters of presidents have got married here. Soldiers were also quartered in this room in the early stages of the Civil War and it was here that seven presidents were lain in state, including the assassinated President Lincoln in 1885. The Green Room gets its name from its green silk walls, and was once used as Thomas Jefferson’s dining room. From here I got particularly good views of Washington and was amused by the number of people taking photographs outside. I wondered how many millions of rolls of film had been wasted on photographing the White House.

The Blue Room is used by the President to receive guests. The White House Christmas tree is placed in this room. It was here Grover Cleveland became the only president to be married in the White House.

The second and third floors are used only by the presidential family and guests. Located here is the Lincoln bedroom and the President’s office. Also here is the Queens’ bedroom where royalty stay, including the late Princess Diana on her world famous whirlwind tour that had the American public in raptures.

The State dining room amused me. It can seat 130 guests and carved into the fireplace mantel is a quote from John Adams. “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”

I wondered what he would make of Clinton’s dangerous liaisons. As if over hearing my thoughts, a woman on the tour asked the question on all our lips, “So which room did they do it in?” Like all good sex scandals, the location in question was out of bounds to the general public.

As I wandered out into the gardens and looked back at the world’s most infamous house, I was sure Clinton was not the first or last president to abuse his position of power. I was also sure I would not be the last to be in awe of such a beautiful home, after all money and power are the ultimate aphrodisiacs.