There are several reasons why people visit this former royal palace in Greenwich. For many it is the architecture, others visit for its royal connection and some people visit for the art that hangs on its walls.

Queen’s House is a former royal palace in Greenwich in southeast London that was designed by Inigo Jones for Anne of Denmark. Construction started in 1616, but Anne of Denmark never saw the completed building as she died in 1619, well before the house was completed in 1635.

It is an architecturally-significant building in that it considered the first classical-style building to be built in England; however, that isn’t completely the case. With construction beginning in 1616, it was the first building in England to be designed and begin construction in the classical style, but Banqueting House in Whitehall (also designed by Inigo Jones) was the first building to be completed in this architectural style.

It is an attraction that is often overlooked, but well worth a visit.

What to see at Queen’s House

There are several reasons why people visit Queen’s House. For many it is the architecture, others visit for its royal connection and some people visit for the art that hangs on its walls.

It is one of only a handful of buildings designed by Inigo Jones that are still standing and its architectural features include the Great Hall, a perfect cube with a ceiling painted by Turner Prize-winning Richard Wright and the Tulip Stairs, which are regarded as the first self-supporting spiral staircase in Britain.

As it is part of Royal Museums Greenwich much of the art on display within Queen’s House has a maritime theme and having access to the museum’s art collection means that there is a large catalogue of art to choose from. Artwork displayed inside Queen’s House includes works by Canaletto, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Reynolds, Turner and LS Lowry but the real highlight is the 400-year-old Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I that is on display in the Queen’s Presence Chamber. The Armada Portrait was previously owned by the Tyrwhitt-Drake family, descendants of Sir Francis Drake who is believed to have commissioned the painting.

Elizabeth I of England, the Armada Portrait, possibly commissioned by Sir Francis Drake
Elizabeth I of England, the Armada Portrait, possibly commissioned by Sir Francis Drake

Visiting Queen’s House

Queen’s House is located right next door to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and less than a 10-minute walk to Maze Hill railway station and a 15-minute walk to Greenwich railway station. Trains run every 10 minutes from London Cannon Street or London Bridge railway stations. The train journey to Maze Hill takes 16 minutes from Cannon Street and 12 minutes from London Bridge.

Most people combine a visit to Queen’s House with other attractions in Greenwich including the National Maritime Museum (next door), Royal Observatory Greenwich, Rangers House, Cutty Sark and the Fan Museum, which are all within a 10-minute walk.

Allow 1–2 hours to see Queen’s House properly.

Amenities
  • Wheelchair access
  • Gift shop

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Planning a trip to England? englandrover.com is your independent source of travel information with information about how to get around, what to see and do and where to stay on your next trip to England.

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