Banqueting House
About Banqueting House
Be amazed by this revolutionary building, the only surviving part of the great palace of Whitehall. Created by Inigo Jones, it was the first in England to be designed in a Palladian style and was finished 1622 for James I. Intended for the splendour and exuberance of court masques, the Banqueting House is probably most famous for one real life drama; the execution of Charles I which took place here in 1649 to the ‘dismal, universal groan’ of the crowd.
Throughout its history the Banqueting House has played host to parliamentary receptions, investitures and ennoblements. All of which took place beneath the breath-taking canvases of Peter Paul Rubens. These magnificent paintings have survived flood, fire and war and it is nothing short of miraculous that you can still enjoy them in their original setting, just as kings and courtiers have done for the past four hundred years.
During your visit explore the Undercroft, originally designed as a drinking den for James I and a place where he could escape the rigors of public life.
| Opening Times | Mon-Sat: 10.00-17.00. Closed: Suns, Bank hols and Christmas period Conces price includes students. House can close at short notice due to government hire. Phone first. |
|---|---|
| Audio commentary in foreign languages |
French audio guide German audio guide Italian audio guide Spanish audio guide |
| Booking and payment details |
Groups accepted |
Banqueting House Address
| Address: |
Whitehall Palace, Whitehall, London
London
SW1A 2ER
|
|---|---|
| Telephone: | +44 (0)20 3166 6152 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)20 3166 6310 |
| Email: | groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk |
| Website: | http://www.hrp.org.uk/BanquetingHouse/ |
Location Information for Banqueting House
| Address: |
Whitehall Palace, Whitehall, London
London
SW1A 2ER
|
|---|---|
| Telephone: | +44 (0)20 3166 6152 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)20 3166 6310 |
| Email: | groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk |
| Website: | http://www.hrp.org.uk/BanquetingHouse/ |
| Public transport: | Tube: Westminster Tube/Rail: Charing Cross |
Getting There
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© Collins Bartholomew 2009What else is near Banqueting House?
Traveller Rating:
Based on 4 reviews
Latest 4 reviews of Banqueting House
Interesting but information needs to be revised!
We visited the Banqueting House last weekend and was quite surprised by it. We were ushered into a room to watch a film which was a bit overlong and then repeated in a rather drawn out audio guide. Information could be delivered in a much better way than this! Beautiful room though and an amazing ceiling! If you are an art lover, it's definitely worth a look. Still, it's quite expensive and I probably would have been a bit disappionted if I had paid the entrance fee. We are members of the Historic Royal Palaces and this is one of the five so that was really our motivation for checking it out.
28 May 2009
Worth a short visit for those with the interest
The Banqueting House was where Charles I was executed and also has a famous ceiling painted by Rubens. Anyone who is interested in either facet would enjoy a visit. I believe they still offer the hall for events and concerts, which may explain the lack of exhibits. Overall the house is a little spartan on extras, with a brief movie downstairs and an audio guide included with admission.
15 November 2008
DOn't waste your money
Banqueting House?! Sure?! I would say banqueting room becuase on display is just one room.
As you go in, an audioguide is given which narrate the history of the palace, and explains the structure/paintings of the hall.
The ceiling is really nice, but paying a fee for so little is just a robber.
3 June 2007
Historic, but overpriced
I went here with the London Pass, so I didn't pay. To be quite honest, if I had paid, I would have felf ripped off.
This place is very interesting, well King Charles the first was executed in, or just outside the building. He spent his last moments here, before stepping through the upstairs window, to the scaffold. The hall is, I presume just as it was in the 1600's, when the king was killed. But the problem is, that this is just a large hall, with a nice ceiling. At one end there is a throne, but most disappointingly you cannot follow in the footsteps of the late king, and cannot go up to the balcony. The film show is good, but doesn't justify the asking price. There is a small sad space in the basement that is wasted on local artists.
This place could be so much more. Just WAKE UP and OPEN it up. There is so much potential here.
16 December 2006
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Events at Banqueting House
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The Dufay Collective - Medieval Christmas
Special event7 Dec 2009 to 7 Dec 2009
The Banqueting House presents a concert.
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Duo Benzakoun
Special event8 Feb 2010 to 8 Feb 2010
The Banqueting House presents dances around the world for piano duet.
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Hannah Francis - A Feast of Christmas Songs
Special event21 Dec 2009 to 21 Dec 2009
The Banqueting House presents a concert.
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Jose Maria Guerrero and John Knight
Special event25 Jan 2010 to 25 Jan 2010
The Banqueting House presents a concert.
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