A manor of Eltham is recorded in the Doomsday survey of 1086 as belongong to the half-brother of William the Conqueror, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. The manor house was rebuilt by Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham who acquired the estate in the late 13th century. It's at this point that Eltham's royal heritage begins as Bek presented the manor to the future king of England, Edward II in 1305. Over the next couple of centuries Eltham was one of the largest and most royaly frequented palaces in the country.
DIRECTORY
Eltham Palace
You'll be hard pressed to find a building with such contasting styles as Eltham Palace. What was originally a medieval great hall was transformed with modernist features by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the 1930s. The building sits within 19 acres of splendid award winning gardens, which are as quirky as the mansion itself. There's London's oldest working bridge and the beautiful Rock Garden with its series of pools and cascades running down to a moat.
Many alterations and improvements were made to the palace and the grounds by royalty during the medieval period. Richard II, Henry IV and Edward IV all contributed but it was during Edward's reign that the great hall that we see today was constructed. The King's last visit to Eltham was to attend a lavish Christmas feast for an astonishing 2,000 attendees.
The last monarch to invest significantly in Eltham was King Henry VIII who spent much of his childhood there. Works included a brick-built chapel and new royal lodgings. After this Henry showed preference to Hampton Court and Greenwich and by the time of King James I the manor was showing signs of disrepair. Further decline saw the estate being used as a farm for the next couple of centuries. The nineteenth century saw renewed interest in Eltham and some repairs were undertaken and further buildings constructed. The great hall, which had been used as a barn, was shored up and remarkably used as a tennis court as well as for its intended use as a venue for functions.
And so begins the story of the Courtaulds and Palace. Stephen Courtauld was an heir to a textile fortune. He married Virginia in 1925 and in the early part of the 1930s they had started to look for a semi-rural retreat away from London.
Art Deco architecture
After purchasing Eltham in 1933 the couple employed architects Seely & Paget to build a modern home on the site of the 19th century buildings. Sir Charles Peers, formerly Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments with the Office of Works, became involved to ensure as little impact on the historic palace as possible. The art deco style of the day was heavily drawn upon giving the property a modern edge.
Features of the new house were designed to compliment the great hall and interior decoration became a mix of historical and modern, ideas drawn from both the architects and the Courtaulds. Fashionable interior designers of the day were employed including Peter Malacrida and the Swede, Rolf Engströmer. The latest mod cons were installed including a loudspeaker system, a centralised vacuum cleaner and underfloor gas-powered heating.
The family moved out in 1944 as a response to bombing in World War II and the remainder of the lease was passed to the Army Educational Corps. The Ministry of Works then assumed maintenance of the palace with an emphasis on the preservation of the medieval elements over the 1930s additions. English Heritage are now responsible for Eltham Palace.
Address and Contact Details
Address: Eltham Palace, Court Yard, Eltham, London SE9 5QE
Telephone: 020 8294 2548
Email: Send email
Website: Eltham palace (English Heritage) (opens in new window).
Travel Connections
- National Rail:
- Eltham Station: Approximately 800m, 10-minute walk. Served by Southeastern trains from London Charing Cross and London Victoria.
- Mottingham Station: Approximately 800m, 10-minute walk. Also served by Southeastern trains.
- Bus:
- Bus stops on Court Road and Eltham High Street are close to the palace.
- Numbers stopping nearby include:
- Routes serving Kingsground / Eltham Palace Road: 124, 160, 660.
- Routes serving Eltham Church / Court Yard: 161.
- Routes serving Eltham High Street: 124, 126, 160, 161, 321, 624, 660, B15, B16, N21.
- Underground (Tube):
- There is no direct Underground station in Eltham. The nearest stations are quite a distance, requiring a bus or train connection.
- Car:
- Free parking is available for English Heritage members (displaying a valid car sticker).
- Non-members must pay a parking charge (typically £2, refunded on admission on most days, but not on Bank Holiday weekends or special events).
- The car park is signposted off Court Road, use postcode SE9 5NP for SatNav to direct to the car park.
- There is a second car park at Court Yard (use SE9 5QE for SatNav), which has limited space and is often used for Blue Badge holders (pre-booking advised).
- Cycling:
- The Capital Ring and Green Chain Walk routes pass close to Eltham Palace, making it accessible by bicycle.
Facilities
- Cafes (including the Orchid House Café in the visitor centre).
- Shops.
- Toilets.
- Baby changing facilities.
- Picnic areas.
- Outdoor play area for children.
- Gardens.
- Audio tours (free multimedia guides available).
Access
- Parking: Accessible parking bays are available. The nearest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Visitor Centre Entrance, with another closer to the house entrance (30m / 32yd 2ft). Assistance may be required from the car park to the visitor centre due to dropped kerbs.
- Building Access: The visitor centre has double-width automatic doors. A small lip on the threshold (2cm or below) at the entrance. Ramps and lifts are available within the palace.
- Gardens: The gardens are generally accessible, though some paths may have uneven surfaces.
- Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are available to borrow (speak to staff at the visitor centre or house).
- Assistance Dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.
- Accessible Toilets: Accessible toilet facilities are available near the visitor centre entrance and within the house.
- Blind/Visually Impaired: Audio-described tours and touch tours may be available (check with English Heritage directly for current offerings).
Entry Fees
- Adult: Approximately £17.60
- Child (5-17 years): Approximately £10.60
- Concession (Students with official student card or over 60): Approximately £15.80
- Family Ticket (1 adult, up to 3 children): From £28.20
- Family Ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children): From £37.60
- English Heritage Members: Free admission.
Prices are subject to change. Booking in advance via the English Heritage website is often recommended.
Opening Times
Opening times can vary significantly by season and day of the week. It is highly recommended to check the official English Heritage website for the most up-to-date opening hours before planning your visit.
As a general guide, in peak seasons (e.g., summer), Eltham Palace is often open daily, typically from 10:00 to 17:00. During off-peak seasons (e.g., winter), opening days and hours may be reduced, sometimes to weekends only, from 10:00 to 16:00.
- Closed: Usually closed on 24th, 25th, and 26th December, and 1st January.
Articles
Art Deco London: An exploration of the major Art Deco styled buildings in the capital.
Other Places of Interest within 15 Minutes' Walk
Royal Blackheath Golf Club (6-7 minutes): Claiming to be the oldest golf club in the world outside Scotland, this historic club features a Grade I listed clubhouse and is set in a beautiful landscape. While the course itself is for members, the surrounds offer pleasant views.
The Tarn (9-10 minutes): A picturesque public garden and bird sanctuary, featuring a beautiful lake set within a wooded area. It's a peaceful spot popular for picnics and enjoying nature.
Bob Hope Theatre Eltham (11-12 minutes): A local community theatre hosting a variety of amateur productions, including plays, musicals, and pantomimes. It provides entertainment for local residents and visitors alike.
Eltham Park South and Eltham Park North (12-13 minutes): These adjacent parks offer significant green spaces with varied terrains, including open parkland and areas close to the Eltham Warren Golf Course. Ideal for leisurely strolls and enjoying fresh air.
Well Hall Pleasaunce (14-15 minutes): A charming park with woodlands, ponds, and formal gardens, located on the former site of a manor house. It offers a tranquil escape with varied landscapes.
