Two-Part Palace
Some things just never stay the same. Almost all of Britain’s grandest historic houses have developed over time, with modest additions made to suit changing fashions and the needs of new owners or successive generations of the same family. Nevertheless, Eltham Palace is a unique proposition in that the lines are drawn rather dramatically between two very specific periods and styles.
On the one hand, there is the medieval wing of the house, all vaulting hammer-beam ceilings and ornate stained glass, which was lavished with funds by successive monarchs and served as a childhood home for one of the greatest kings in British history. On the other hand, there is the elegant Art Deco home for a millionaire couple, with its clean lines, polished finish and unusual triangular entrance hall – not to mention a room for the couple’s eccentric pet. The two are linked by a long corridor, making
