Banqueting House — Attraction in London

Such a beautiful place to visit. This attraction is small but perfectly formed. Banqueting House is all that we have left of Whitehall Palace (once the biggest palace in Europe, with over 1,500 rooms) which burnt down in 1698. The building consists of 2 rooms (though they are both pretty stunning spaces). There’s a well put together 10 minute introductory video to watch first in the Undercroft (formally used as King James I’s private drinking den). This is also where you’ll find the very nice toilet facilities too. There’s also a really handy audio guide included within the admission ticket, to be used in the Main Hall and has just over 45 minutes of commentary on it. It really helped to put the 2 spaces into perspective and meant I could look up at the same time to take in the spectacular series of ceiling paintings completed and added by Rubens in the 1630s. Fortunately there’s plenty of seating (even 8 beanbags) to use too, which just made the whole experience that bit more relaxing. A must see for history buffs, art lovers and/or appreciators of fine architecture. Minimum 1 hour visit will do and the toilets in the...

One place not to miss. Visit the video to learn the history of the Banqueting House first and then amend the staircase. Enter the hall and you will find paintings by Rubens adorning the ceiling. Make sure you do the audio tour as it gives you so much information to hand. Thoughtfully they have supplied 8 beanbags to sit on as well as the benches along the sides of the hall. So comfy to settle down on and gaze at the ceiling for the 45 minute audio tour. They are popular but after a relatively short wait my husband and I both secured a beanbag to settle on to. Oh, and to finish you must dress up in the costumes on the rail. Go and stand in front of the throne and pretend you are the King and Queen of...

Gorgeous location, both historically for learning about its past, as well as seeing its modern day uses as a working hall... The paintings are exquisite and the history and layers behind them are fantastic knowledge. Especially learning about the history of the various court painters, the beheading of the King, and the wonderful painted ceilings by Peter Paul Rubens ❤️ the various dramatic court dealings, especially art wise, were very interesting to learn and see displayed in various paintings. Inigo Joneses architectural design holds up to this day. The lavish banqueting hall is still a magnificent example of a neo classical royal entertainment center. If you have the opportunity to visit, I would highly...