![Portcullis House (Photo by Colin on Flickr!)](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/header-portcullis-house-01-pcaifg59pa3ixoc7ileqnaisvt9a0azg8wbqrk7yb4.jpg)
![](https://www.viscountcruises.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/header-westminster-hall-02.jpg)
![The Banqueting House, Whitehall](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/header-banqueting-house-01-nw9t20ujqh9c0o6kd02s27cw2ynjora68d9ukh0eb4.jpg)
![Portcullis House (Photo by Colin on Flickr!)](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/portcullis-house-02.jpg)
![Westminster Hall (Photo by Thom Thai on Flickr!)](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/westminster-hall-02.jpg)
![](https://www.viscountcruises.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/banqueting-house-01.jpg)
Open House London 2018
City of Westminster
Portcullis House
Portcullis House was designed & built by Michael Hopkins and Partners in 2001. The need for an extension to the parliamentary estate had been apparent since the late 1980’s. The reconstruction of Westminster Station allowed construction of Portcullis House, a new free standing building with office space, two restaurants, a Cafè & E-Library.
Visitors to Portcullis House can marvel at its spectacular atrium, view the contemporary art collection & take a seat & photo on a replica of a Commons iconic green bench. Other highlights include talks about Parliament & the Palace of Westminster.
![Portcullis House (Photo by Colin on Flickr!) Portcullis House (Photo by Colin on Flickr!)](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/portcullis-house-02-pcaig2p67v18iczf4ieejyjfpzlgny07qn4bts4j0m.jpg)
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Visiting Notes | Expect long queues & airport style security.
Westminster Hall
At over 900 years old Westminster Hall is the oldest building on the Parliamentary Estate. Constructed during the reign of William II (William Rufus, son of William the Conqueror) the hall has witnessed trials, coronation banquets, fire & floods. The hammer beam roof dates from 1393 & is the largest medieval roof in Northern Europe.
![Westminster Hall (Photo by Thom Thai on Flickr!) Westminster Hall (Photo by Thom Thai on Flickr!)](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/westminster-hall-02-pcaifbfupnzx5o30jom81nf2htbtgpzzyw78wr8y12.jpg)
Open House Access
Sunday 23rd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Visiting Notes | Expect airport style security.
Banqueting House
The Banqueting House is the last remaining building from Whitehall Palace, home to a magnificent ceiling painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens & the execution site of King Charles I. The building was designed by Inigo Jones in the Palladian style for King James I & was completed in 1622.
A Brief History of The Banqueting House
At the time of its destruction by a fire in 1698 Whitehall Palace was the largest palace in Europe. Whitehall Palace was originally called York Place having been established by Archbishop of York Water de Grey in 1240. The most famous resident of York Place, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey expanded York Place to such an extent that it was the largest house in London, second only to Lambeth Palace.
After Cardinal Wolsey fell from favour with King Henry VIII York Place was seized (along with Hampton Court) & become the property of the King. York Place was renamed Whitehall Palace & become the home of King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn, at the time Henry was still married to Katharine of Aragon but the lack of Queens Apartments at the palace meant that Katherine would not live at Whitehall. Henry & Anne set about enlarging Whitehall Palace & an act of parliament in 1536 made the palace Henry’s principal seat.
The first Banqueting House was a brick & timber building clad in canvas where Queen Elizabeth I would meet potential suitors & host state visits. Elizabeth’s successor King James I frequently used the Banqueting House as a venue to host performances called Masques. James I commissioned the architect Robert Stickells to construct a larger, modern Banqueting House. Stickells creation proved unpopular with the King & after it was destroyed by a fire in 1619 the architect Inigo Jones was commissioned to build a replacement.
The current Banqueting House was completed in 1622, Jones designed it in the Palladian style & the structure was the first Classical building in London. The tradition of hosting Masques in the Banqueting House continued throughout the reign of King Charles I & in 1629/1630 he commissioned the artist Peter Paul Rubens to decorate the Banqueting House’s ceiling with nine magnificent murals. The murals were installed in 1636 & depict scenes from the reign of James I including the Union of the English & Scottish crowns, The Apotheosis of James I & The Peaceful Reign of James I.
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Sunday 23rd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Visiting Notes | There is no access to the balcony.
Somerset House
Somerset House was designed by William Chambers & completed 1801. The house has been home to the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Society, the General Register Office & the Inland Revenue. Today Somerset House is open to the public and regularly hosts concerts & other public events.
![Somerset House Somerset House](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/somerset-house-01-pccib14hm2drn9aa48jeeneg9itg731jqvxfo6f492.jpg)
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 11:00-18:00
Sunday 23rd September 2018 | 11:00-18:00
Visiting Notes |
Unilever House
10 Downing Street
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Old Royal Naval College
The Old Royal Naval College is Sir Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece, built in the 17th Century as the Royal Hospital for Seamen on the site of the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Old Royal Naval College boasts beautiful surroundings & some of the most magnificent interiors in London. The Painted Hall in King William Court is home to the largest painted ceiling in Europe, a Baroque masterpiece by Sir James Thornhill depicting over 300 years of English aristocracy & British Naval Power. The Chapel of St Peter & St Paul in Queen Mary Court has a beautiful interior designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stewart. Visitors to the Old Royal Naval College can enjoy tours of the Painted Hall & the grounds & visit the cafe & gift shop located in King William Court.
The Chapel Of St Peter & St Paul
The Chapel Of St Peter & St Paul was designed by Sir Christopher Wren & constructed by Thomas Ripley in 1751. After a fire in 1779 the chapel was rebuilt by James “Athenian” Stuart in the Greek Revival Style.
Admiral's House
The Admiral’s House was designed by John Webb as part of King Charles II’s royal palace at Greenwich. After the opening of the Royal Hospital For Seamen on the site, the Admiral’s House became the residence of the Governor of the Royal Hospital.
The Jacobean Undercroft
The Jacobean Undercroft is the last remains of the Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Undercroft was constructed during the reign of King James I & was located beneath the Great Hall of the Tudor Palace. After the Palace of Placentia was demolished by Sir Christopher Wren to make way for the Royal Hospital For Seamen the Undercroft became part of the foundations for the Royal Hospital.
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Sunday 23rd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Visiting Notes | Pre-booking is required for this building.
National Maritime Museum & The Queens House
The National Maritime Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to maritime and naval history. Opened in 1937 by King George VI the museum is home to over 2 million items including art, charts, maps, memorabilia & artefacts.
![The Queens House, Royal Borough of Greenwich aThe Queens House, Royal Borough of Greenwich](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/the-queens-house-01-pcaiobq67ibuf4zyy2sifvl3fqxg8are7h9rh7w4ee.jpg)
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Sunday 23rd September 2018 | 10:00-17:00
Visiting Notes |
Fan Museum
The Georgian Townhouses date from 1721 & were designed by the architect John Savery. After being gifted to the Fan Museum Trust in 1987 the townhouses have been renovated & restored to an original Georgian style. The townhouses now have an authentic Georgian feel perfected by the magnificent Orangery which has been decorated in trompe l’oeil by the artist Jane Barraclough.
![Fan Museum, Royal Borough of Greenwich Fan Museum, Royal Borough of Greenwich](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/fan-museum-01-pcaixwoxvpg2s12vzpwlcyj9g5p5p7svuwoylromyu.jpg)
St. Alfege Church
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 10:45-16:00
Visiting Notes | A
Other Buildings
Bridge Theatre
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 09:45-13:15
Visiting Notes | (Pre-booking is required for this building, expect queues & airport style security)
US Embassy (The Cube)
![American Embassy (The Cube), Vauxhall American Embassy (The Cube), Vauxhall](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/american-embassy-01-pcci1nofgjjtv8wfuooc1ijz070ofqtwshq4dubgau.jpg)
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 09:45-13:15
Visiting Notes | (Pre-booking is required for this building, expect queues & airport style security)
Marine Police Headquarters
![Marine Police Headquarters, Wapping Marine Police Headquarters, Wapping](https://www.viscountcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/marine-police-headquarters-01-pcaieqrejb7m28x1wfofismxfc5qrdpwk1ukco3lty.jpg)
Open House Access
Saturday 22nd September 2018 | 11:00-17:00
Sunday 23rd September 2018 | 11:00-17:00
Visiting Notes | A
Photos by: Colin (Portcullis House), Thom Thai (Westminster Hall)
Viscount Cruises » Open House London 2018