Eltham Palace with The Sunken Rose Garden in the foreground

Unlike the traditional British bank holiday, it was a gloriously sunny Monday and the chance to explore somewhere new had to be taken advantage of. Searching the online Days Out Guide for 2 for 1 offers, Eltham Palace presented itself as a good value attraction worth visiting.

Situated within sprawling greenery, it would be easy to forget you’re on the outskirts of central London as you pace around the exquisite Moat Gardens. Indeed, the gardens at Eltham Palace are alone worth a visit, with an impressive array of trees and plants and plenty of space for picnics when the weather allows.

The original palace itself was built in 1295 and royals who lived there include Edward II, Edward IV and Henry VIII, who spent a large amount of his childhood there.

Some medieval aspects remain, including the huge and impressive Great Hall, built by Edward IV in the 1470s and boasting an impressive hammer-beam ceiling and intricate stained-glass windows.

However, the main tour explores the private house built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the 1930s and the sheer decadence of the Art Deco architecture gives an idea of the enormous wealth the couple must have enjoyed. Going from room to room guests can see how they lived, worked and entertained, before leaving in 1944 when the site was later occupied by army educational units.

The gardens at Eltham Palace offer the chance for a peaceful walk

The individual rooms, which were designed with popular trends of the day in mind, offer an insight into modern living of the time and it’s not difficult to imagine guests reclining on the built-in sofa with incorporated shelves in one lounge, or relaxing in the grand circular entrance hall, complete with blackbean veneer walls, featuring a Viking and Roman soldier as well as depictions of some of the Courtaulds’ favourite Italian and Swedish buildings.

Back in the 1920s when it was fashionable to own exotic pets, the Courtaulds bought ring-tailed lemur Mah-Jongg from Harrods. At the palace visitors learn about how their beloved primate had the run of the house as well as a habit of biting people! You can also see his “cage”, which is more of a miniature bedroom, complete with a window overlooking the grounds and even central heating – more than many people of the era could expect to enjoy no doubt!

A statue of Hospitality is situated above the main entrance to Eltham Palace

Due to its magnificent appearance, it’s no surprise Eltham Palace has been popular with TV and film productions, with crime drama Poirot and Madonna’s 2011 romance W.E. both using it as a filming location.

The eclectic mix of historic periods that make up the fabric of Eltham Palace adds to the estate’s uniqueness. Truly, it is a rare place of tranquillity in an otherwise bustling city. For further information visit English Heritage’s Eltham Palace site.