Eltham Palace
Millionaire, World War One veteran and patron of the arts Stephen Courtauld, established this breathtaking home in the London suburb of Eltham in 1936. Within the extensive remains of a medieval royal palace, Courtauld created a feast of luxurious design ideas, mixing new technology with art deco design, where he and his Italian wife could entertain guests in lavish contemporary style.
Visitors will find concealed electric lighting, centralised vacuum cleaning and music piped throughout the house by a central speaker. The entrance hall compliments birds eye maple wall with art deco aluminium leafed ceiling, while the Great Hall is a mix of art deco design and medieval history, split by an 18th century Chinese sliding screen.
The gardens are a mix of formal and informal, with a rose garden, pergola, and loggia nestled beside the extensive remains of the medieval palace and timber bridge moat set into the palace’s medieval entrance. After you’ve ambled around the palace visitors can relax in the Tea Rooms of the former Courtauld Kitchens. Situated within the London suburbs, Eltham Palace is the only art deco house opened to the public, the dream of Stephen Courtauld in the 1930s.
