Eltham Palace is a striking fusion of medieval grandeur and 1930s Art Deco elegance, nestled in southeast London. Once a favoured royal residence from the 14th to 16th centuries, it was the childhood home of Henry VIII and a key site for courtly festivities. The surviving medieval Great Hall, with its soaring timber roof, offers a glimpse into its regal past. In the 1930s, the palace was transformed by wealthy philanthropists Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, who built a glamorous mansion adjoining the hall. Their interiors blend cutting-edge design with exotic touches, including a gold-plated bathroom and a pet lemur’s quarters. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and a moat, Eltham Palace is now managed by English Heritage and offers visitors a unique journey through centuries of style and social history. It remains one of London’s most architecturally intriguing and visually stunning historic sites.
London United KingdomEltham Palace is located on Court Yard, off Court Road, in Eltham, southeast London, SE9 5QE, within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. This remarkable site blends a medieval royal palace—featuring one of England’s largest hammerbeam-roofed great halls—with a lavish Art Deco mansion created in the 1930s by the Courtauld family. The palace is surrounded by 19 acres of award-winning gardens, including formal rose beds, a rock garden with waterfalls, and London’s oldest working bridge. Eltham Palace is easily reached by public transport, with Eltham and Mottingham rail stations about half a mile away and several bus routes serving the area. There is limited on-site parking, and the Capital Ring and Green Chain Walk pass nearby, making it accessible for walkers and cyclists. Close to the palace, visitors can explore historic Charlton House, Danson House, and the green spaces of Avery Hill Park. The vibrant local high street and Eltham’s shops, cafes, and pubs are also within walking distance, making Eltham Palace a standout destination for history, architecture, and garden enthusiasts.