Whitehall, SW1
The Banqueting House by Inigo Jones dates from 1622. It once formed part of Henry VIII's Whitehall Palace, which was the main residence of English Monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698, when all except the present building was destroyed by fire.
It contains a magnificent Rubens ceiling that was commissioned by King Charles I in 1635 and as its theme, shows the glorifacation of James I as founder of the Stuart dynasty.
Fast facts
Major Events: King Charles I was executed on a platform erected in front of the building on January 30th 1649. He wore an extra shirt (now in the Museum of London) so that he would not shiver and give the impression of fear on the scaffold.
Other Events: King Charles II held Court here after the Restoration (Samuel Pepys noted in his diary how he was shocked by the lewd behaviour of the Court) Charles died here and is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Hidden London: In 1688 Charles's brother, King James II, was forced into exile when his army deserted him. It is said that he relied on a weather vane (if you cross the road to the entrance of Horse guards and looks towards the roof of the Banqueting House, you can still see it) to predict when the winds would be calm for his crossing to France and exile.
Did you Know: During the excavations for the building of the Ministry of Defence on the site of the old Palace, Henry VIII's wine cellar was discovered and still lies intact under the present building.
Admission fee charged.
Open: Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00
Tube: Charing Cross or Westminster.
