• Five new rooms to be opened for the first time in spring 2015
• Rare 1930's 'map room' uncovered and public appeal launched to renovate it

English Heritage today launches a £25,000 public appeal to restore the map room at the palace. This room was where Eltham's glamorous owners - Virginia and Stephen Courtauld - plotted their many extravagant trips around the globe.

The Courtaulds covered the walls of a room in Eltham Palace in extensive maps of the world, which were later hidden under decades of wallpaper and paint until English Heritage curators discovered glimpses of them this summer.

English Heritage is now appealing for the £25,000 required for expert conservators to uncover, fully restore and protect these tantalising portals into a bygone age of luxury travel.

English Heritage's six month renovation of Eltham Palace starts this week and will see five new rooms unveiled to the public for the first time. When complete in April 2015, for the first time visitors will be able to explore the Courtauld's luxury wartime bunker under the house, an extensive basement billiards room, an opulent walk in wardrobe, two new bedrooms and the 1930's map room. There will also be a brand new visitor centre, shop and café which will incorporate one of the former glasshouses at the property.

Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built their Art Deco mansion adjoining the Great Hall of medieval Eltham Palace in 1936. The interior of the mansion is a glamorous, eye-catching showpiece, a mix of Art Deco, ocean-liner styles and cutting edge Swedish design. The medieval palace presents a striking contrast to the house - the Great Hall, with its stunning hammerbeam roof, 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.

Annie Kemkaran-Smith, English Heritage Curator at Eltham Palace, said: "Eltham Palace is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture and design surviving in Britain today.

"It was also a decadent, fun place to visit. Next spring we'll open up new rooms, the ropes will come down and we'll be inviting people to step back in time and experience one of the Courtauld's lavish parties as they try on vintage inspired designs, play in the billiards room and watch cinefilm of the family."

Andrew Hann, English Heritage property historian, said: "Eltham Palace was the ultimate 'Grand Designs' project of its day boasting state of the art mod cons including under-floor heating, multi room sound systems and a centralised vacuum cleaner. Our research has revealed a technologically advanced, innovative home which will be brought to life for visitors through new multimedia handsets.

"From next spring visitors to Eltham Palace will be whisked back in time to the swinging 1930s where Stephen and Virginia Courtauld entertained the elite of society including members of the Royal Family, composers, artists, politicians and key socialites."

Anyone wishing to offer their support for the renovation of Eltham Palace can donate at: www.english-heritage.org.uk/donate-eltham

During the renovation, the Palace will remain open to the public on Sundays as normal during winter. The new rooms and the re-presentation will be unveiled in April 2015.

Overview of the restoration work

Five new rooms to be unveiled for the first time:

• Luxury wartime bunker and 1930's dark room.
• Basement billiards room featuring mural by the artist Mary Adshead
• Virginia Courtauld's walk-in wardrobe adjacent to her bedroom. The room will feature vintage designs based on items Virginia would have worn and replica accessories and items available for guests to try on.
• A 1930's map room adjacent to Virginia Courtauld's boudoir. It was from here that the family's secretary planned their exotic holidays to Africa, Asia, South America and across Europe.
• Adjoining bedrooms occupied by Virginia's nephews - Peter and Paul Peirano - with a shared bathroom featuring the only shower in the house and one of the first in the country to be installed in a residential bathroom.

Represented gardens in the style commissioned by Stephen and Virginia:

• Replanting the Rock Garden and cascade based on contemporary photographs of the Courtauld's time. Stephen Courtauld was a very keen rock climber.
• Replanting the Quadrant Rose Garden in the style of a 1930's rose garden. Virginia had a passion for roses, which she obtained from the celebrated Sam McGredy nurseries at Portadown, Northern Ireland. (A red rose was later created in their Rhodesian home and called 'Virginia Courtauld').

New visitor centre and cafe:

• Brand new visitors centre and greenhouse café next to the children's play area.