History and Stories

Eltham Palace and Gardens: History and Stories

A unique combination of architecture and history, Eltham Palace and Gardens were transformed by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the 1930s. Restoring the medieval and Tudor remains of the palace, the Courtaulds also added a magnificent art deco mansion with illustrious interiors. Eltham would later be used as a base for the Royal Army Educational Corps until 1992.

Find out more about the story of Eltham Palace, the people who lived here and the ambitious build that the Courtaulds undertook to create what we see today.

History of Eltham Palace and Gardens

  • History of Eltham Palace

    Read a full history of this unique palace, and discover how it developed from a medieval royal palace into a 1930s millionaire’s mansion.

  • Building Eltham Palace

    Take a deep dive into the complexities and challenges of building the Courtaulds’ Eltham Palace – an ambitious project managed by the architects Seely and Paget. 

  • The Army at Eltham

    Learn how the Army Educational Corps found a wartime home in Eltham Palace, which became the base for British Army education worldwide for nearly 50 years.

People and Stories

  • Three queens at Eltham

    Explore the lives of three foreign queens of England – Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou and Katherine of Aragon – who had close ties with the royal residence at Eltham.

  • Seely and Paget at Eltham Palace

    Discover the story of John Seely and Paul Paget, partners both in life and in architectural practice, whose masterpiece was their transformation of Eltham Palace in the 1930s.

  • Virginia Courtauld

    Who was Eltham Palace’s 20th-century lady of the house? Discover the life story of Virginia Courtauld, the socialite, art-lover and philanthropist with an unconventional streak.

  • The Courtaulds at Eltham

    Read more about the Courtaulds’ time at Eltham and how they made space at the palace for their pet lemur, Mah-Jongg.

Eltham’s Collection

  • Collection Highlights

    Explore highlights of the collection at Eltham here, including works of fine and decorative art collected from all over the world by the Courtaulds.

  • The Cartier Brooches

    Take a closer look at two Cartier brooches that belonged to Virginia Courtauld, a gift from her husband, Stephen, around 1936–7 when they were living at Eltham.

More Resources

  • Download a plan of Eltham

    Download a plan of Eltham Palace to see in detail how the site combines the original 15th-century remains with the 1930s additions. 

  • Buy the Guidebook

    The guidebook offers a complete tour and history of Eltham Palace and Gardens, bringing the house to life with stunning photos and historic images.

  • Description of Eltham Palace

    The ultra-fashionable house designed for the Courtaulds in the 1930s incorporated the great hall of the medieval palace. Find out more.

  • Research on Eltham Palace

    The emphasis of research on Eltham has shifted over the years from a focus on the medieval remains to the architecture of the 1930s and more recently the social history of Eltham.

  • Sources for Eltham Palace

    These lists provide a summary of the main written, material and visual sources of information for our knowledge and understanding of Eltham Palace.

  • Significance of Eltham Palace

    Eltham combines one of the largest and best-preserved medieval great halls in England and a luxurious and idiosyncratic house and garden of the 1930s.