Day Planner
What to do on site?
Which English Heritage properties are nearby?
Which other places of interest are nearby?
House
Suggested time needed: 1 hour
You arrive over the oldest working bridge in London with its impressive Tudor arches. Look out for the huge carp in the moat as you pass overhead.
- Enter the “ocean-liner” style entrance hall with its unique wall panels where guests would have congregated during house parties
- Follow the passage to the Great Hall – built in Tudor times as part of the original Eltham Palace – the boyhood home of Henry VIII
- Wander upstairs to see the sumptuous bedrooms and bathrooms. Look out for the gold tiles and lion-head taps in Virginia Courtauld’s bathroom.
- Find the cage that belonged to the Courtauld’s pet lemur ‘Mah Jongg’ with its central heating and wall murals
- Take time to sit and watch some original “home movie” footage of the Coutauld’s entertaining and enjoying their wonderful home in the Venetian Suite.
Gardens
Suggested time needed: 1 hour
Then explore the 19 acres of beautiful gardens.
- Take in the views over London amidst remains of the original Tudor Palace.
- Admire the extensive rockery installed by Stephen Courtauld to reflect his love of the mountains.
- Wander through the “garden rooms” including a sunken rose garden.
- Go to the other side of the moat to look back at the house and the extensive flower border in summer.
- Find the original yew hedge that screened the swimming pool – now unfortunately no longer there.
Refreshment
Suggested time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Our tea room is in the original Service Quarters and a very different world. Enjoy tea or coffee, lunch or a light snack served by waitresses in traditional black and white uniform.
Events
Suggested time needed:
Bring all the family and join us for one of our spectacular events. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/events
Shop
Suggested time needed: 15 – 30 minutes
The gift shop, conveniently located by the ticket office (which you can visit without going round the palace), has a wide range of specialist books, postcards, traditional food, English country wines and gifts inspired by Eltham Palace Art Deco design. A unique addition to the shop is a regularly changing stock of original 1930s collectable items supplied by Bexley Antiques and Interiors. This often includes jewellery, desk accessories, ceramics, clocks, mirrors and other essential interior design pieces.
The Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House
Distance: 4.1 miles
Ranger’s House is an elegant Georgian villa built in 1723. The house stands on the borders of Greenwich Park, and the Meridian Line passes through its grounds. Today it houses the Wernher Collection – an astounding display of medieval and Renaissance works of art, all purchased by the diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher (1850-1912). With the Cutty Sark, Greenwich and Blackheath all nearby, Ranger’s House makes a great day out.Danson House, Bexleyheath
Distance: 3.8 miles
Danson House was built c 1766 in Bexleyheath. In 1994 it was restored by English Heritage, which had identified the house as ‘the most significant building at risk in London’. The house is a revival of Italian villa design and has a fine entrance hall, a stunning dining room, an elegant salon and an opulent library. Visitors can also ascend the elliptical staircase and see the bedroom floor.
Well Hall Pleasaunce
Distance: 0.7 miles
Well Hall Pleasaunce is a park with a history dating back to the 13th century. It is a haven of formal gardens and woodland and was formerly the family home of the Ropers at the time of Henry V111 and more recently Railway Children author E Nesbit. Renovated following a bid by Greenwich Council to the lottery, it boasts the Green Flag status as a park which is welcoming, safe and well-maintained with the strong involvement of the local community.
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