Banqueting House

Whitehall.Discover the Rubens ceiling and discover the site of Charles I’s execution at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London.

Discover a royal masterpiece and home of the Rubens ceiling

Admire the epic Rubens' ceiling and discover the site of Charles I’s execution at Banqueting House, Whitehall.

From the days of Henry VIII until its destruction by fire in 1698, the great Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the Kings and Queens of England.

The only part to survive that fire was the Banqueting House built for James I from a design by Inigo Jones.

Both James I and Charles I time here, with the latter commissioning Rubens to paint the nine spent much great canvases which fill the panels in the ceiling.

It was from here in 1649 that Charles was taken and beheaded - the only British monarch ever to suffer such a fate.

The Power and the Glory

This huge oil painting by Peter Paul Rubens adorns the ceiling of the Banqueting House and was commissioned by Charles I as testament to the glory of the Stuart monarchs.

Banqueting House is the only remaining complete building of Whitehall Palace, the sovereign's principal residence from 1530 until 1698 when it was destroyed by fire.

Currently closed

Banqueting House is closed for visitors until further notice but is open for private events and weddings. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause.

Please check for any planned closures in advance.

Banqueting House, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ER

A Ceiling fit for a King

Historic Royal Palaces

Historic Royal Palaces was established in 1989 as an Executive Agency of Government within the Department of the Environment, and the five palaces (Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace) were brought together and run by this one agency.

Images credit: © Historic Royal Palaces