Eltham Palace

Explore one of London’s most surprising historic homes, where medieval royal life meets bold 1930s design.

Once a favoured royal retreat, Eltham Palace played a key role in the early life of a young Prince Henry, later King Henry VIII, who spent much of his childhood here. While the palace later fell into decline, its magnificent medieval Great Hall survived, standing as a reminder of Eltham’s royal past.

In the 1930s, the site was given an extraordinary new lease of life when socialites Stephen and Virginia Courtauld acquired the property. They commissioned some of the leading architects and designers of the era to create a striking modern mansion beside the medieval hall. The result is a fascinating contrast: Renaissance-inspired exteriors paired with lavish Art Deco interiors filled with cutting-edge design, technology and playful details.

Wander through dramatic spaces like the light-filled Entrance Hall, with its glazed domed ceiling, before exploring elegant drawing rooms, dining areas and private bedrooms that capture the glamour and optimism of the interwar years. Downstairs, the Blitz-era basement bunker offers a sobering glimpse into wartime life, while the surrounding gardens provide a peaceful escape with views back to both the medieval and modern sides of the palace.

Now cared for by English Heritage, Eltham Palace offers a rare chance to see two very different chapters of British history side by side, and it’s this striking blend of royal heritage and 1930s modernism that makes it one of London’s most distinctive historic attractions.