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.
Banqueting House 2026 Open Days
Banqueting House will reopen to the public for Open Days on 21 February, 20 March, 03 April, 01 May, 29 May, 26 June 2026 and from 03 Aug - 20 September 2026. Please see our Opening Times page for more information.
Members-Only Days will take place on 26 February, 21 March, 10 April, 02 May, 28 May, 27 June 2026.
Banqueting House remains closed while essential conservation is completed but we are open for private events.
Historic Royal Palaces is grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation and Wolfson Foundation, whose generous support will help us to conserve this magnificent building for generations to come.
Included in your ticket
- Things to see
Rubens ceiling
Marvel at Sir Peter Paul Rubens' ceiling in its original setting of Inigo Jones' spectacular Banqueting House.
- Banqueting House
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
- Things to see
Banqueting Hall
Experience James I and VI's breathtaking Banqueting Hall, created in 1622 as a venue for extravagant Jacobean entertainments.
- Banqueting House
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
- Things to see
The Undercroft
Explore the vaulted drinking den beneath the Banqueting House, which was used by James I and VI for decadent royal parties.
- Banqueting House
- Included in palace admission (Members go free)
The execution of Charles I
Killing of a 'treasonous' King
As a King, Charles I was disastrous; as a man, he faced his death with courage and dignity. His trial and execution were the first of their kind.
Take a closer look at Peter Paul Ruben’s painted masterpiece
Discover the stories depicted in the nine painted panels and secrets of the Banqueting House with Google Arts and Culture. Zoom in to see details of the paintings in incredible detail online.
The rise and fall of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset
Poison, passion, and King James's love
Historian Gareth Russell picks up the tale of a scandal that no one had foreseen when the inoffensive Robert Carr arrived at James VI's court.
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