PalQ

Looking for something different in London, then head to suburban Eltham and Eltham Palace. Unlike the typical boring old house stuffed with old furnishing and objets d'art, Eltham, though henry VIII stayed here during some of his childhood, was largely built in the early part of the 1900s, by wealthy Steven Courtauld as an art nouveau themed modern palace surrounding the ancient chapel, all that's left of Henry VIIIs home. Surrounded by a lush garden and offering a smashing view of London 10 miles away, Eltham makes a pleasant half day. Nearby Eltham is a thriving London suburban town center. Trains to Eltham (zone 4 in TravelCard scheme) go about every 20-30 minutes from Charing X and London Bridge, less so from Victoria; about a mile to the palace.

m_kingdom2

It's interesting, but only a few worthwhile rooms, lots of reproductions, and lacking originals. Gardens aren't anything special, and Eltham itself is very South London - a bit dumpy!

flanneruk

PalQ's almost absolutely right (though sadly awry when it comes to our pre-20th century houses, it's Art Deco, not Art Nouveau, which is a great deal more florid, and the visit to the Palace is generally improved if you avoid Eltham itself).

MK2 is talking through MK2's hat.

PatrickLondon

Ah, but it's such a splendid hat. I imagine it as wafting gently in the nreeze, like one of Barbara Cartland's more extravagant purchases. Even if it was bought at Fenwick's.

PatrickLondon

The breeze, of course. I never learned to type.