엘섬 궁전

Once the site of a royal retreat, Eltham Palace mixes medieval features with 1930s design in an intoxicating brew of British architecture, history and culture.

A young Prince Henry - later known as Henry VIII - spent much of his youth here in the 1500s and developed a real affection for the place. But, by the end of the 19th century, just the Great Hall, a bridge crossing the palace’s moat, and some original walls remained.

The site was acquired by high society millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in 1933. They commissioned leading architects and designers of the time to create a lavish modern palace on the site. The exterior is designed in the ‘Renaissance’ style and takes architectural cues from Hampton Court Palace, but the interior is pure Art Deco modernism.

The stunning Entrance Hall features a fabulous glazed dome through which light enters dramatically, illuminating the entranceway. Elsewhere, the dining and drawing rooms, along with Virginia’s bedroom and ensuite showcase cutting-edge 1930s design.

English Heritage took on Eltham Palace in 1995, eventually opening it to the public. The contrasting of the medieval hall and the 1930s palace, along with the rich and varied history of the site, make Eltham Hall one of the most unique architectural attractions anywhere in the capital.