Croydon HF Rambling Club | Walking Clubs in Croydon | Rambling Croydon | HF Rambling, Croydon

On a cool, drizzly day, five club members visited Eltham Palace, the art deco masterpiece built as the home of Stephen and Ginny Courtauld. Although the weather prevented us from enjoying the splendid gardens, the house, which I have not visited before, was a revelation! From the opulence of the dining room and the other entertaining spaces, to other rooms with smallish windows and walls covered in wood panelling, making them look rather dark, to the plain, almost Spartan bedrooms occupied by Ginny’s nephews, and finally to the bathrooms, which, with one exception look positively primitive by today’s standards! Finally, we visited the Great Hall, the one remaining remnant of the original palace. The twenty-foot long table and the intricate carving on the other furniture are simply stupendous! Many thanks to Mary Halliday for leading the trip with such quiet efficiency!