Eltham Palace (English Heritage)
Eltham Palace
Courtyard
Eltham
London
Greater London
SE9 5QE
England
Website
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/eltham-palace-and-gardens/
Telephone
020 8294 2548
Eltham Palace is one of the few important medieval royal palaces in England to survive with substantial remains intact. Initially a moated manor house with vast parkland, it was acquired by the future Edward II in 1305 who subsequently passed it on to his queen, Isabella. Under Edward IV significant changes were made, most notably the addition of the Great Hall in the 1470s which is still visible today. Henry VIII was the last monarch to spend substantial amounts of money or time at Eltham and in the 16th century the Palace was eclipsed by Greenwich Palace and declined rapidly. In the mid 17th century, the owner, Sir John Shaw, built Eltham Lodge in the Great Park and lived there. For the next 200 years Eltham Palace was used as a farm and the buildings were tenanted. In the early 19th century a villa was built within the moat walls and gardens and kitchen gardens laid out in the west and south moats. A campaign to save the Great Hall from demolition resulted in its restoration in 1828 but it was still used as a barn. Later in the 19th century Eltham Palace became a gentleman's residence, and glasshouses and gardens were laid out in the west moat. By the early 19th century the parkland had been reduced to two small areas of 21 hectares and 29 hectares, the rest had reverted to arable or pastureland. The larger park was cleared of its parkland trees between 1808 and 1828. In the 1930s an important private house, boasting an ultra-modern design was built adjoining the Great Hall by a wealthy couple, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. In 1935, an initial design for the gardens was produced by Andrew Mawson and Partners for the Courtauld’s. This was then modified to incorporate ornamental plantations, shrubberies and specimen trees. The Courtauld’s were keen horticulturists and new areas were laid out including lawns, a mixed border, a sunken rose garden, a spring bulb meadow, a rock garden and woodland garden. Stephen had a passion for orchids, which he raised in the glasshouses, and Virginia for roses. After they left Eltham, a red rose was created in their Rhodesian home and named ‘Virginia Courtauld’. The Courtaulds left Eltham in 1944 and the site was occupied by Army educational units until 1992. English Heritage assumed management of the palace in 1995, and in 1999 completed a major programme of repairs to and restoration of the 1930s interiors and gardens. Today the gardens are a rare and very fine example of a 1930s garden design with the fact that they incorporate elements of the medieval palace adds a further intriguing dimension.
Venue Type:
Castle or defences, Historic house or home, Garden, parklands or rural site
Additional info
Access: Level access to ground floor (ramp into Great Hall). Stairs to the first floor are steep and have no handrail at the bottom, but there is a lift to first floor.
Access to gardens: Most areas accessible over grass. Some uneven ground. Visually impaired visitors should be aware of many low walls and deep moat.
Parking: Main car park 200m from entrance. Disabled visitors may park or be set down near the main entrance. Please use the intercom system at the front gate for assistance or call in advance. Access over uneven bridge.
Visually Impaired Visitors: Touch panel on display
Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour included in the admission price; hearing loop available.
Facilities Toilets: Adapted WC on ground floor.
Refreshments: Tearoom has level access.
Grand Medieval Joust
A magnificent medieval joust where fighting knights do battle in a live action show. Revel in the drama of clashing knights on horseback and cheer on your favourite. Be entertained by the court jester for plenty of laughs too. Let the battle commence!
Suitable for
- Any age
When
10am-5pm
Admission
£12.00
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/grand-medieval-joust-ep-15-jun
Awesome Archaeology!
Let the kids get stuck into history with the chance to uncover clues and handle artefacts. Take part in a sand pit dig to unveil secrets from the past. Plus plenty of hands on activities.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/awesome-archaeology-ep-28-jul
Ugly Bug Safari
Grab a magnifying glass and join our explorer for a hunt through the gardens at Eltham Palace to find a mass of fascinating minibeasts. Discover more about bugs and their habitat and create your own creepy crawly to take home.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/ugly-bug-safari-ep-25-aug
Knights and Princess School
Give that toy sword a whirl or put on your prettiest dress and head back in time for activities on a medieval theme. Transform yourself into a noble lord in squire training, and even try on armour in our academy for budding knights and princesses.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/knights-and-princess-school-ep-4-aug
Ugly Bug Safari
Grab a magnifying glass and join our explorer for a hunt through the gardens at Eltham Palace to find a mass of fascinating minibeasts. Discover more about bugs and their habitat and create your own creepy crawly to take home.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/ugly-bug-safari-ep-25-aug
Soldiers School
Air raids, rationing, evacuation - how would you have fared during WWII? Find out what life was really like during the 1940s, and learn about Eltham's role during the war, then take part in the children's drill and obstacle course.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/soldiers-school-ep-11-aug
Ugly Bug Safari
Grab a magnifying glass and join our explorer for a hunt through the gardens at Eltham Palace to find a mass of fascinating minibeasts. Discover more about bugs and their habitat and create your own creepy crawly to take home.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/ugly-bug-safari-ep-25-aug
Medieval Fun and Games!
How would you have fared 500 years ago? Join us at Eltham Palace for a journey back through the ages to medieval times and find out what life would have been like, with hands on activities and games.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/medieval-fun-and-games-ep-18-aug
Ugly Bug Safari
Grab a magnifying glass and join our explorer for a hunt through the gardens at Eltham Palace to find a mass of fascinating minibeasts. Discover more about bugs and their habitat and create your own creepy crawly to take home.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/ugly-bug-safari-ep-25-aug
Art Deco Fair
Back for another year by popular demand, our much-loved Art Deco Fair! Buy original 1930s objects in the magnificent Art Deco surroundings of Eltham Palace.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
11am-4pm
Admission
£9.90
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/art-deco-fair-ep-7-sep
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