Banqueting House

Banqueting House : The Michelin guide review

The sole wonderful vestige of the Palace of Whitehall that burnt down in 1698, its noble italianate façade by Inigo Jones rises opposite Horse Guards Parade. Inside, Rubens painted the ceiling of the main hall (34m high by 17m wide and 17m high) with his Apotheosis of James I; it was transformed into a chapel in 1724. It was taken over in 1892 by the United Services Institute that exhibited military collections there; these are today kept at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.