Whitehall Palace
Whitehall Palace
4.5
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Top ways to experience Whitehall Palace
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Westminster
If you only had an afternoon to experience London on a grand scale, Westminster would be a wise place to start. The ornate Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey sit adjacent at a corner of Parliament Square, and a short stroll along The Mall leads to Buckingham Palace. Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are just up the road as well. As captivating as the architecture is, the wonders of Mother Nature are highlights of the area too. St James's Park (arguably London's loveliest), the expansive Green Park, and pedestrian friendly tree lined paths along the river showcase the exquisite manicure provided by English gardeners. Just beyond the landmarks and the gorgeous outdoor spaces, quiet residential squares and age old local pubs offer a more subdued take on this global seat of power in the heart of London.
How to get there
- Embankment • 2 min walk
- Charing Cross • 4 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,828 within 6 miles
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4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
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Terrible
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Bact1940
Cambridge, UK29 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Henry VIII established Whitehall Palace to replace Westminster as his main residence in London.
In 1698 the majority of the palace was destroyed by fire but the banqueting hall survived. The visit
includes a video giving historical information about the building plus an audio tour explaining the changes the building has undergone and a lot of information about the fantastic ceiling painted by Rubens. Convenient for Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Horse Guards parade and within walking distance of The Eye. Seems that the Whitehall Palace is not high on most peoples itinerary but is well worth the visit--not expensive either.
In 1698 the majority of the palace was destroyed by fire but the banqueting hall survived. The visit
includes a video giving historical information about the building plus an audio tour explaining the changes the building has undergone and a lot of information about the fantastic ceiling painted by Rubens. Convenient for Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Horse Guards parade and within walking distance of The Eye. Seems that the Whitehall Palace is not high on most peoples itinerary but is well worth the visit--not expensive either.
Written 21 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,667 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
Whitehall Palace was once Europe's largest royal residence. It occupied land between Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament, extending down to the Thames and across what is now Horse Guards Parade. Henry VIII was the first monarch to live here, followed by James I and later Charles. The Banqueting House is the only surviving part which is open to the public. It is owned by Historic Royal Palaces and entry is £6.60. Opening hours are 10-5pm daily but it often closes by 3pm at short notice. The main hall is the obvious highlight with a stunning ceiling painted by Rubens. It shows James I ascent to heaven. Below is a spacious undercroft which was once James I drinking den. The other claim to fame is that in front of this building Charles I was beheaded. You will learn a lot about former British monarchs on a visit here.
Written 1 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryOfBurgundy
Antwerp, Belgium79 contributions
Jul 2016
Even if you don't know anything about art history, you can only be dazzled by the amazing, pompous, dramatique, moving, through and through baroque ceilings by the Flemish artists Peter Paul Rubens in what remains of this once impressive palace. Not enough visitors go there, so be sure you do. Comfortable seats to stare at the ceiling, interesting & complimentary audioguide.
Written 18 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SkipJack4
Springville, UT25 contributions
May 2016 • Family
We did not plan on entering the Whitehall Palace but as it was on our London Pass and we had some time we decided to go in. The paintings on the ceiling are beautiful and worth going to see if you love art. The guide explained what we were seeing and on the floor there were bean bags so you could comfortably gaze up!
Written 1 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blackwater_13
Sheffield, UK50 contributions
Be careful , reviews directing you to Whitehall palace 1529 York place, will send you the wrong way. Follow historic palaces banqueting hall directions for stress free directions. Worth visiting too !
Written 8 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy S
Bury St. Edmunds, UK16 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
To be honest I wasn't expecting too much but I was surprised. I especially liked the huge bean bags provided for you to use and appreciate the beautiful ceilings. This too enabled me to relax and listen to the excellent audio tour without distraction.
It's only one room but the history and information about current use is great considering it's a building so many just walk past every day.
Must congratulate them on the excellent toilet facilities. Beautifully decorated and clean, very good hot water and quality towels.
It's only one room but the history and information about current use is great considering it's a building so many just walk past every day.
Must congratulate them on the excellent toilet facilities. Beautifully decorated and clean, very good hot water and quality towels.
Written 21 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HCrowder
Chester, VA809 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
The Banqueting Hall:
Hard to imagine the pomp and circumstances of this sumptuous space!
The beauty of the Ruben paintings on the ceiling alone are worth the visit.
You and the kids can play dress-up in actors' garb.
Charles I was executed here for having lost the civil war. His last words: I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbance can be.
Hard to imagine the pomp and circumstances of this sumptuous space!
The beauty of the Ruben paintings on the ceiling alone are worth the visit.
You and the kids can play dress-up in actors' garb.
Charles I was executed here for having lost the civil war. His last words: I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbance can be.
Written 27 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena Ciocan
Timisoara, Romania1,721 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
We got here as we had the HRP pass, and we are very happy we did! What's left of the Whitehall is the Banqueting House, the ball room with amazing pictures by Rubens, it is incredibly beautiful!
Written 3 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward068
Toronto, Canada123 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
The Banqueting Hall is the only remaining part of the old Palace of Whitehall. A very small venue but worth the visit. There is a very informative video and the highlight – the magnificent Rubens painted ceiling. Bean-bag chairs are provided so you can lie back and really take your time to admire them while listening to the audio track.
Written 30 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne M
Stamford, CT499 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Your tour starts with a short video on the history of this palace and how it was saved from a fire that destroyed everything around it. There really is only one room to view, a large banquet hall with a regal throne on one end and masterpieces of art covering the ceiling. There are bean bags scattered through the room so you can recline and look at the ceiling while listening to an audio tour of the hall. This was included in the London Pass, otherwise I might not go.
Written 7 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to tour Whitehall Palace?
Written 27 February 2017
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