It was around this time last year when we crossed the river to visit Eltham Palace.
Eltham was originally a moated manor house, built by Anthony Bek, Bishop off Durham, in the late 13th century.
It was enlarged by successive monarchs from Edward II to James I, after which it fell into decline, with Edward IV's magnificent great hall being used as a barn. Stephen Courthauld purchased a 99 year lease of the site in 1933. He restored the great hall and added a modern house, designed by Seely and Paget.
The Courthaulds left after the war and the palace was subsequently occupied by various Army education units. English Heritage took over it's management in 1995 and restored and refurnished the opulent 1930s interiors and gardens.
Eltham Palace was once an important royal palace, playing host to kings and queens and international statesmen. It is one of the few medieval royal palaces in England to survive with substantial remains intact and was one of only six palaces large enough to accommodate and feed the entire Tudor court.
What we see in the above 2 photos is the new house and the part remains of the original great hall.
Behind the house are the remains of the palace and we begin here looking out towards the City of London
Photos were not allowed in the house but the above entrance hall (taken from a page in the guide book) gives an idea of the style.
Now a walk around the gardens beginning with part of the original moat now grassed over and made part of the gardens
These two photos taken from the website
Virginia Courthauld's marble and gold bathroom
The family had a pet ring-tailed lemur and one could see the ladder that led from the ground floor to it's sleeping quarters!
