Background Information

When millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built their 1930s Art Deco mansion by the Great Hall of medieval Eltham Palace and Gardens, they created a masterpiece of 20th-century design.

Completed in 1936, the red brick exterior of the house was built in sympathy with the older building. But the interior remains a glamorous 1930s showpiece, an eclectic mix of Art Deco, ultra-smart ocean-liner style and cutting-edge Swedish design.

The dining room is a tour de force, with pink leather upholstered chairs, bird's-eye maple veneered walls, a shimmering aluminium-leaf ceiling, and black-and-silver doors portraying animals and birds.

Even more exotic is Virginia Courtauld's vaulted bathroom, complete with gold-plated bath taps. Luxury also emanates from the centrally-heated sleeping quarters of the Courtaulds' pet ring-tailed lemur,Mah-Jongg. Equipped with all the latest modern conveniences, the house featured underfloor heating, a centralised vacuum cleaner and a built-in audio system.

Upstairs is a display of discoveries from the Courtauld era, including original furniture and family photographs. Visitors can also enjoy a restored original 10-minute Courtauld home movie, giving an intimate glimpse of their family life.

The medieval palace presents a striking contrast to the opulent 1930s house. The Great Hall was built for Edward IV in the 1470s, and Henry VIII spent much of his childhood here.

The palace's 19 acres of beautiful gardens feature both 20th-century and medieval elements. These include a rock garden sloping down to the moat, a medieval bridge, herbaceous borders, a sunken rose garden and plenty of picnic areas. Striking at any time of year, garden highlights include the Spring bulbs display and the wisteria cascading over the classical pergola in Summer.