Queens House

The Queens House is one of the most important buildings in British architectural history, being the first consciously classical building to have been constructed in Britain. Built in 1616 by Inigo Jones, it was originally conceived as a palace for Anne of Denmark - the wife of James I. The Queen's House was the first neo-classical building seen in England. Unfortunately the Civil war, amongst other things prevented it from being fully completed until 1635 when it became home to Charles I and his Queen, Henrietta Maria. It was built using the classical influences and traditions from Italy and it wasn't until the seventeenth century that this style of architecture became widespread in Britain. Today it is both a grade I listed building as well as a scheduled ancient monument. The museum attracts one million visitors each year and is known as one of Greenwich's premier tourist attractions.

It wasn't until 1937 when the Queens House became part of the National Maritime Museum that it was opened to the public. In the 1980's the interior was restored to its appearance during the 1660's and some of the furniture and paintings you will see in the building today, are original seventeenth century pieces.

Along with the classic furnishings and wonderful surroundings, the building is also said to be notoriously haunted by a few of its ghosts from the past. In the nineteenth century, the house was used by the Royal Hospital School and the boys who attended used many of the rooms as dormitories, it would seem that one of them is still there in some form - along with a few other ghosts from times gone by. Take a trip to the Queens House and see for yourself; you never know what you may find.

The House is open daily Monday through to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free and the House is closed from 24th to 26th December.