Banqueting House, London

Banqueting House is a historical building on Whitehall in London. Designed by famous English architect Inigo Jones, it is celebrated as the grandest and best known survivor of the banqueting house architecture.

The Banqueting House, which was part of the Palace of Whitehall, was the first building in the Palladian style to be erected in Central London. Inigo Jones was inspired by the style during his travels in Italy. The building was completed in 1622, introducing a marked departure from the ornate turrets and unrestrained decorative elements of Elizabethan façl;ades.

The ceiling of the Banqueting Hall was painted by Rubens. It was commission by King Charles I as an exaltation to his father, King James I, and was completed in 1630. This glorification of royalty was despised by Oliver Cromwell, who eventually had King Charles I executed. This took place on a scaffold just outside Banqueting Hall in 1649. Eleven years later, King Charles II was to celebrate his restoration to the English throne at the hall.

View of the banqueting hall at Banqueting House, with Rubens' painted ceiling
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banqueting_House_801.jpg
Author: Michel wal

How to reach Banqueting House

Take the London Underground to Charing Cross Tube Station or Embankment Tube Station and walk from there.

Location map of Banqueting House

List of Historical buildings in London