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Eltham Palace & Gardens Review

amomentwithfranca · 15 August 2016 · 50 Comments

Last week, Bella and I were invited to visit Eltham Palace and Gardens which is an English Heritage property. We have never been before so we were very excited to spend our day there. Since Bella’s little sister was born we haven’t been able to give her the same attention that she was used to so it’s nice to be able to spend some quality time just with her. I like having time to bond with my daughter to get to know even more about her. She loves getting all the attention from me and I love giving her all my attention when I can so we both have an amazing time.

ELTHAM PALACE FI

This was the first time that Bella and I were going on an adventure like this on our own. Eltham Palace is located in Greenwich so we had to first take a bus to the tube station to then get to London Bridge, where we then got a train to Eltham. From there we took a taxi to the actual Palace & Gardens which took about 12 minutes (It is possible to get by bus but there is a bit of a walk either side). Bella enjoyed all the changes on our journey – it was quite an experience for her.

Eltham Palace collage 8

When we arrived to the Palace, a member of staff directed us to the information centre to pick up our tickets. All the members of staff were incredibly nice and helpful. We were given a short explanation of what we could do and we are also given a guide of the palace. During the summer holidays there are weekly activities perfect for keeping your children entertained.  You can check all their events for the summer HERE.

GLORIOUS GARDENS

Eltham Palace collage 1

Bella and I decided to go straight to the Palace which she was really looking forward to. As soon as we arrived to the entrance we saw its stunning gardens so we started exploring the outdoor gardens first. Eltham Palace has 19 acres of beautiful gardens to explore.

You can admire the herbaceous border designed by award-winning garden designer Isabelle Van Groeningen. Their Rock Garden with its series of pools and cascades running down to the moat is spectacular. It was also a great experience to cross the moat on London’s oldest working bridge, and smell the roses in the sunken rose garden. You can also see beautiful orchids.

Eltham Palace collage 2

The long herbaceous border is one of the major features of the gardens at Eltham Palace, reaching its peak in late summer when it glows in rich purple, copper, yellow and blue flowers attracting butterflies and bees. It contains 18 different varieties of oriental poppy, 21 different varieties of peony and 20 different varieties of Clematis.

ART DECO HOUSE

After exploring the gardens we then went inside. They had audio visual guide tours for adults and special ones for kids. Bella and I got the ones for kids. It was very entertaining as it came with explanations of the rooms and some extra activities that were very fun to do.

Eltham Palace collage 7

They also had a special activity for kids which involves collecting stamps from specific rooms after finding some interesting animals. One of them was the famous Lemur pet that the owners of the house, the Courtaulds used to have. This was very fun to do and after collecting all the stamps Bella was able to claim a sticker. She really enjoyed doing this and when we finished the tour and therefore the activity she went on her own to claim her sticker. Bless her! It was so cute to watch!

Domed entrance hall

The domed entrance hall at Eltham Palace is stunning! It felt like a hotel. This was the area where prestigious guests gathered for glamorous cocktail parties. Socialites and politicians, royals and artists all enjoyed hospitality here. This eye-catching room is a mix of Art Deco and cutting-edge Swedish design.

The owners at that time, the Courtaulds converted this property into a lavish home which became one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture and design surviving in Britain today. Two other highlights that your family can enjoy are the marvellous panelled dining room and luxurious golden bathroom.

Eltham Palace collage 6

We really enjoyed going down to the basement. It has a billiard room where Bella tried to play a little. There was also a photographic darkroom and wartime basement bunker. This provided a level of comfort during the Blitz that few ordinary citizens, taking refuge in tube stations or Anderson shelters, could have imagined.

MEDIEVAL PALACE

Just taking a few steps you can travel back in time from Art Deco modernity to a medieval masterpiece. You can gaze out from the minstrels’ gallery across the magnificent great hall, and admire the glorious hammer-beam roof built for Edward IV five hundred years ago. Eltham estate was presented to King Edward II in 1305. It developed into one of the most favoured royal palaces with 1,000 acres of deer park on its doorstep. Henry VIII spent many childhood years here.

Bella really enjoyed seeing the difference between the art deco house and the medieval palace. I think this was an interesting feature at Eltham Palace.

OUTDOOR PLAY AREA

The play area is fantastic. It is a wooden outdoor play area which is perfect to let your children burn off some energy. It has an ‘around the world’ theme. There is a plane to fly, mountains to climb and world maps to explore. Your little ones will discover a whole new world of excitement.

Eltham Palace collage 3

Bella really enjoyed playing here. She spent a fair amount of time here at the end of our day which she really enjoyed. If you want your kids to burn up some energy then this playground is perfect.

CAFE AND SHOP

Eltham Palace collage 4

They cafe was delicious. They had fresh sandwiches which they prepared there and then. They also had warm food. For kids there is the option to get a kids lunch box that comes with a ham or cheese sandwich, crisps, juice and biscuits. There were also yummy cakes and ice cream.

Eltham Palace collage 5

The shop was great too. You can browse a range of fabulous Art Deco inspired gifts in the shop, and take home a souvenir from your visit. The shop is online too so you can check it before or after your visit.

LOCATION AND PRICES

Eltham Palace is located in Court Yard, Eltham Greenwich, London SE9 5QE and opens Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Please be aware that Friday and Saturday are closed. The price for adults is £13.60 and £8.10 for kids from 5 to 15 years old.

We really had an amazing time at Eltham Palace and we will definitely go back with the whole family as I think Nick and Sienna would love it too.

Have you been to Eltham Palace before? Have you heard of English Heritage? Have you visited any of their properties? What do you think of them? Please leave a comment below as I would love to read what you think. 

*Disclaimer: I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity. I have received a voucher in return for writing this post.

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

Related

Filed Under: Reviews, Bella, Collaborative Posts, Days Out, Family, Family Days Out, London, Travel Tagged With: Art Deco, Eltham Palace & Gardens, English Heritage, Gardens, Palace

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Mum Reviews says

    21 August 2016 at

    Wow it looks beautiful and sounds like the perfect day out! I didn’t know this was a day out near London. I would definitely like to visit with my kids. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  2. Cathryn - Little paper swans says

    21 August 2016 at

    It looks beautiful. The gardens are incredible. I hope you guys had fun together,

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  3. Peachy and her Mommy says

    21 August 2016 at

    That looks like a beautiful place. The great thing about Europe is all the history. We don’t have that here in Canada. When Peachy is older, we’ll definitely do more traveling to show her these kinds of places.

    Reply
  4. The Speed Bump says

    21 August 2016 at

    Looks like a beautiful place for a day out, lovely pictures. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  5. Mother Hermit says

    21 August 2016 at

    Oh wow this looks like such a beautiful place- perfect for family days out. I think I’d have to have a run around on that playground myself, it looks fantastic! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  6. Themotherhub says

    21 August 2016 at

    So lovely to be able to do things with children independently – especially the older ones, and this looks like a beautiful day. #kcacols

    Reply
  7. Louise says

    21 August 2016 at

    I love one to one days. It is so much more special for you and them. Your day out looked amazing p, I will have to add it to my places to visit when I take the monkeys on their big London visit next year. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  8. becca farrelly says

    21 August 2016 at

    What a fab place! I love visiting places like this but Mia is just slightly too young to take her anywhere like this as there wont be much to keep her entertained. I’m really looking forward to her being a little bit older so we can visit museums and stately homes more. Lovely photos! 🙂

    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  9. Emma (Upside mum) says

    21 August 2016 at

    Looks like such a beautiful place. Lots to do as well. It’s so lovely that you got to spend some one to one time with Bella too. #kcacols

    Reply
  10. Sarahbel says

    21 August 2016 at

    Ooh I visited Eltham Palace for work a few years ago (pre baby) it is really lovely and so easy to get to from London. Thank you for reminding me of it, we’ll have to go back with the family! #kcacols

    Reply
  11. Tooting Mama says

    22 August 2016 at

    I have never been to Eltham Palace and I would so love to go (I even lived in South East London once and it just passed me by!) So it’s on the list for when I get back to the UK!

    Reply
  12. One Messy Mama says

    22 August 2016 at

    What a delightful day this must of been! SO may treats to enjoy! Bella looks beyond excited! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  13. Emma Plus Three says

    22 August 2016 at

    Looks so lovely! And gorgeous photos x #KCACOLS

    Reply
  14. Rebecca TAYLOR says

    22 August 2016 at

    Eltham Palace looks beautiful. I’d love to visit. It is lovely that you got to spend some time with Bella too. It must be hard once you have more than one child. Thank you for sharing and hosting. X #KCACOLS

    Reply
  15. Becster says

    22 August 2016 at

    Looks like such a great day out!! And ooo yum carrot cake! Yeah my mind went straight to cake! 😀 #KCACOLS

    Reply
  16. DavIna says

    23 August 2016 at

    Wow! This looks like an amazing day out! I’m not sure that my boys would get as much out of it as Bella did, but I would definitely love to see it! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  17. Tori says

    23 August 2016 at

    Wow, it looks like a beautiful venue to visit and your daughter is absolutely adorable as always! She must have loved it there!
    #KCACOLS
    Tori @ The Mama Nurse

    Reply
  18. Geraldine says

    23 August 2016 at

    Absolutely beautiful! I have a major soft spot for places like this. I wish I loved closer to here #KCACOLS

    Reply
  19. Min says

    23 August 2016 at

    Sadly, in my 10 years of living in London I never made it to Eltham Palace for a visit (although I did walk past it once, as I walked the Capital Ring walking route around London). I definitely need to visit at some point in the future, especially as I love art deco. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  20. wendy says

    23 August 2016 at

    Aww Bella is so so cute! Looks like you had a fab day and there sounds like there is so much to see and do. I bet Bella really did find your journey exciting with all those changes in transport, my boy would love to go on a train, bus and taxi all in one day haha xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
  21. The Pramshed says

    25 August 2016 at

    I really want to go here, and it is literally just down the road from us! I didn’t realise that there was so much to see and do at Eltham Palace. I am a little disappointed it’s not open on a Saturday, next time we have a free Sunday I will suggest to my husband that we go here, I love Bella’s jumpsuit by the way. Claire x #KCACOLS

    Reply
  22. Sarah@teammomlife says

    25 August 2016 at

    This looks like such a lovely outing! We love doing things like this. The pictures are fabulous. I think I would have really liked the garden part. Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS

    Reply
  23. Maria @ Suburban Mum says

    31 August 2016 at

    Looks like you’ve had a great day out! It’s so nice to be able to have some one-to-one time isn’t it? #KCACOLS

    Reply
  24. Mrsmorganplus3 says

    1 September 2016 at

    I have never heard of English heritage before I will have to have a look. It looks like you had a fab at Eltham Palace #KCACOLS

    Reply
  25. Silly Mummy says

    2 September 2016 at

    Looks lovely there & like you had a great time! Love that they do tour guides for children! #KCACOLS

    Reply
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