Address: Court Yard, London, SE9 5QE, United Kingdom
Phone: +442082942548
Rating: 4.6
based on 597 reviews.
Staff and Service
Pros:
"Gratitude to Sue and all of the staff who do a wonderful job of welcoming and sharing the sites history."
"Staff are knowledgeable and friendly."
"The staff were friendly, professional and attentive."
"The staff are very friendly and welcoming."
"Very friendly and helpful staff everywhere."
"Staff and volunteers are absolutely brilliant."
"Staff were very helpful."
Cons:
"Overhearing negative conversations about kids is certainly not the kind of atmosphere one would hope for, especially in a family-friendly environment."
"Staff in the cafe very surly and our presence seemed a real inconvenience."
"However, it's disheartening to mention that some of the volunteers and staff exhibited behavior that was less than desirable, particularly when discussing other members' children."
"One lady got quite aggressive about it when though I was holding the bag at my side and telling her I was being careful."
"Service was still very slow."
Facilities and Accessibility
Pros:
"Lovely gardens, playground for the kids, lovely cafe in a green house."
"There is a decent playground and food in cafe is pretty cheap and good."
"Central location within London and very accessible."
"Quite a lot of the gardens, cafe, Shop and ground floor of House accessible to those with disabilities."
"The park is very pretty with a moat, rock garden and many different types of trees."
"It has a nice coffe shop with outdoor seating."
"The Palace can be accessed by wheel chair and the downstairs rooms are step free."
Cons:
"Expect to park a million miles away from the palace and have to walk back."
"It was a shame that not all the gardens immediately next to the house were not easy to get round with the chair, or that the gardens around the moat were not accessible."
"Ended up parking about twenty minutes walk away even though we are also members."
"No audio guides for the same reason."
"Going down to the lake with a pushchair isn't ideal."
"No parking at the venue."
"Only issue is car parking. It's a nightmare."
Events and Activities
Pros:
"Would definitely recommend you visit the light show at Christmas."
"When we went yesterday, English heritage had an event on. It was 1940's day out."
"Walking around the gardens was peaceful and stunning; it was quite an experience to walk where queens and kings used to walk on a regular basis."
"There was also a chance to do some jousting at targets that he liked as well."
"Caught some story tellers in the great hall. They were brilliant and our 6 year old son loved them."
"The day we visited, there was children's activities, which my 11 year old son joined in with."
"Fantastic for children, they managed to translate the history of the palace and grounds into fun, but educational tasks."
Cons:
"In the dark (following an event) returning to the car park it is pitch black - this is such a wasted opportunity to showcase the amazing gardens, bridges & stream to visitors passing by."
"We was at Eltham Palace for the jousting... but the event wasn't as good as it could have been this year... only 2 food stalls (pizza and burger) where the wait and queues were horrendous!"
"Not a good experience between Christmas and New Year due to lots of 'unforeseen' circumstances."
"Royal Palaces had hired in, some rides and food stalls - that were ridiculously expensive and of very poor quality."
"We came for the Enchanted Trail. The lights were very pretty and the atmosphere was lovely... I wouldn't say it was worth it unfortunately, as pretty as it was it is just lights at the end of the day, I didn't really feel we got anything for our money."
"Drawbacks...1.access road gets blocked until they open the entrance gates and they don't open them early 2. It's inside Khan's ULEZ which will add to the cost if your car is not exempt."
"No parking for the light show."
Food and Dining
Pros:
"Good coffee, cakes and lunch."
"The cafe did an excellent fresh salad for our lunch and a tasty walnut coffee cake."
"Very good food, not expensive."
"Can't sit inside of the cafe but a lot of seating outside with umbrellas for shade."
"Would recommend the cream tea."
"The cafe is reasonably priced for the portions that you get, and the food is delicious."
"The cafe in the greenhouse is really good the food is actually nice & has a great choice for the whole family."
Cons:
"Hugely expensive food and drinks help pay for the huge number of staff at reception but make you feel fleeced."
"I would’ve enjoyed it more had there been more variety for food and especially something for vegetarians."
"The tearoom next door isn't cheap but very useful to recharge and get a caffeine fix."
"Booked the Christmas lights event happening at the Palace. The display was very good, and the children loved the atmosphere. As we left the display area, there was a series of stalls offering rides and food. This was a complete rip-off."
"Cafe had a limited menu due to 'unforeseen circumstances'."
"Was overcharged and when I questioned this was told the 'toll keeps doing this' as an explanation."
"Good day out save not being able to sit inside the cafe area owing to a private function taking place. Outside therefore fighting off aggressive wasps!"
Value and Pricing
Pros:
"Save 10% when you buy tickets online (chose to add donation or not)."
"Tickets are a little cheaper when bought online."
"Parking free for English Heritage members or £3."
"Being a member has its benefits. Free parking, free entry."
"I would have given this place 4 stars due to price -£17.50 with gift aid for an adult - which is ridiculously expensive; however, we managed to use the 2 for the price of 1 offer if you arrive by rail."
Cons:
"And it costs £3 to park.....I'm surprised there isn't a charge for using the toilets as they bleed you dry."
"Tickets to enter is pricey £15."
"Day tickets can seem a little overpriced."
"Too expensive for residents of Eltham, like me."
"Parking in the car park (at time of writing £3 per day for non-members and free for members)."
Gardens and Grounds
Pros:
"Gardens are beautiful with a lovely view over London."
"Nice gardens and great views towards the city."
"Walking around the gardens was peaceful and stunning; it was quite an experience to walk where queens and kings used to walk on a regular basis."
"The gardens are lovely with plenty of places to sit and take in the views."
"The gardens are very pretty and kept in immaculate condition."
"The gardens are meticulously landscaped as well. Everywhere that we explored seemed postcard perfect."
"The gardens are stunning with fish that follow you as walk past the moat, expecting you to feed them probably."
Cons:
"In the dark (following an event) returning to the car park it is pitch black - this is such a wasted opportunity to showcase the amazing gardens, bridges & stream to visitors passing by."
"Garden was nice but some areas were very neglected and overgrown with weeds."
"The gardens are a bit average and you'd imagine them to be planted with plants in fashion during the various periods of ownership."
"The gardens with views towards London were also a delight, even on a cold day."
"Some amazing views of London as well a well looked after garden and land."
"The grounds, on the sunny early autumn day we visited, were lovely for strolling: well-planted and well-tended."
"Beautifully tended to gardens with amazing views of central London."