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Queen's House, Greenwich

The Queen's House, Greenwich was originally conceived as a palace for Anne of Denmark, wife of James I. There's a story that James accidentally shot one of his wife's dogs while they were out hunting in 1614. A nice house in Greenwich was apparently his way of saying sorry. The house was designed by Inigo Jones, and was Jones's first major commission following his return from studying architecture in Italy. In the preceding Tudor era large houses had made much use of fantastical decoration: the Queen's House built in a Palladian style was much more understated. Interestingly Palladian design has its roots in Italian agricultural buildings. The Palladian style derives from the architecture of Venetian Andrea Palladio (1508 - 1580). It is based on formal, clean lines reminiscent of ancient Greece and Rome. There is also a practical element to the style, in that characteristic extending wings on each side of a main building were, in Palladio's original Venetian villas, agricultural buildings. In these extended wings various farming stores, horses and animals were kept. In designs for wealthy clients, the extended wings did not have to contain farming stores, but the effect of the layout was to provide a simpler, cleaner look. As always a design from a distant place, even if it has roots in the practical business of farming, can have connotations of glamour when transferred to a country far away. In many ways Inigo Jones was ahead of his time, and it wasn't until the seventeenth century that this style of architecture became widespread in Britain. However, the building of the Queen's House does mark a shift away from an ornate Tudor style. If you want to visit a place that illustrates the change between Tudor and Stuart worlds, then the Queen's House is a building marking that watershed.

 

 

 

 

Queen's House from Greenwich Park

Construction began in 1616, and continued until 1619 when Anne died. Work recommenced in 1629 after James's son Charles I decided that his wife Henrietta Maria needed a palace. The house was finally completed six years later, and was used by Henrietta in the short period after Charles had abolished Parliament and ruled alone. This was a time when England found a measure of peace, before all the troubles that lay ahead.

The Civil War began in 1642, and Queens House was then little used. Following the Civil War work began on extensions. Henrietta Maria, as mother of the new king Charles II, was able to stay here again briefly in 1662, while her permanent accommodation at Somerset House was prepared. From 1690 the house became the official residence of Greenwich Park's ranger. In 1806 the Naval Asylum School moved in. This was a school preparing orphans for a life in the navy. It was run with predictable harshness, as made clear by displays at the house today. In 1937 the Queen's House was opened as part of the National Maritime Museum, and its interior has been restored to its appearance during the 1660s. Some furniture and paintings now in the building are original seventeenth century pieces.

 

Queen's House was used as a location for the film Sense and Sensibility.

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Times: Open daily 10am to 5pm, except 24-26th December. Last admission is 4.30pm.

The house closes at 3pm on 31st December and opens at midday on 1st January. Also opens at midday on the day of the London Marathon.

Address: Queen's House, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF

Directions: The Queen's House is in Greenwich Park off Romney Road. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Queen's House.

Access: All floors and entrances are accessible to wheelchair users. Manual wheelchairs are available on loan.

Contact:

telephone: 020 8312 6565

e-mail: comments@nmm.ac.uk

web site: www.nmm.ac.uk

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