Great Hall (c. 1470s)
Hammerbeam drama from a Tudor palace
Edward IV’s hall—later a childhood playground for Henry VIII—survived centuries of change and now frames Art Deco views through medieval windows.
Stand at the screens passage and look up; trace the carved hammerbeams, then glance back to the 1930s house for a perfect old-meets-new contrast.
📍 North range, up from the Courtauld house
Entrance Hall
Art Deco set-piece with acoustic ‘glow’
A circular, double-height hall with pale wood, concealed lighting and a domed ceiling—designed for cocktails, music and grand arrivals.
Stand central, speak softly, and notice how the room ‘carries’ your voice; then spot the sunburst marquetry and hidden doors.
📍 Front door, ground floor
Virginia’s Bedroom & Bathroom
Luxurious modern living, 1930s-style
Streamlined wardrobes, built-in gadgets and a glamorous, ocean-liner bathroom show how the Courtaulds made comfort into design theatre.
Scan for integrated tech: call buttons, heated towel rails, clever storage—then compare to today’s ‘smart home’ claims.
📍 First floor, family rooms
Map Room
A world wall in walnut
A bespoke, wood-veneered map wall plotted the Courtaulds’ travels and radio schedules—global curiosity, c.1936.
Find a place you know on the veneer map; note pins and annotations that turned décor into a planning tool.
📍 Ground floor, off the main hall
Moat & Gardens Walk
Landscape stitching house to palace
A full moat and long lawns restore the palace silhouette; from the bridge, you get the best ‘two eras in one frame’ photo.
Circle clockwise; pause mid-bridge to frame the Tudor hall on the left and Art Deco house to the right.
📍 Bridge and perimeter path
