The Forgotten Palaces of London: Royal Homes That Disappeared Without a Trace
Once Grand, Now Gone — The Lost Palaces That Shaped London
London is a city known for its royalty.
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Tower of London — all still standing. All photographed to death.
But what about the palaces that didn’t survive?
The ones that once held queens, crowned kings, hosted scandals, survived fires… and then simply vanished?
This is the story of London’s forgotten royal palaces — the places where power once lived, now buried beneath streets, shops, train stations, and parks. If you’ve ever walked around the city and thought, “I wonder what used to be here?” — this one’s for you.
1. Whitehall Palace – Now Hiding in Plain Sight
📍 Westminster
At its peak, Whitehall Palace was the largest palace in Europe — bigger than Versailles. It was the main home of English monarchs from 1530 to 1698 and the site of Henry VIII’s wildest court dramas.
But in 1698, a fire destroyed almost all of it — leaving behind only one part: the Banqueting House.
What’s there now? Government buildings, Whitehall Road, Downing Street
Still visible? Yes! Banqueting House is still open to the public
Fun fact: The ceiling was painted by Rubens — it’s breathtaking
2. Palace of Placentia (Greenwich Palace) – Where Tudor Drama Was Born
📍 Greenwich Park
This riverside palace was where Henry VIII was born, where Elizabeth I lived, and where Anne Boleyn’s headless ghost is rumoured to roam.
It fell into disrepair after the Civil War and was eventually demolished. In its place, the Royal Naval College was built — designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
What’s there now? The Old Royal Naval College
Fun fact: The Queen’s House next door is said to be haunted by Tudor spirits
Seen in: The Crown, Les Misérables, Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Nonsuch Palace – The Greatest Palace That Never Got Finished
📍 Sutton, South London
Commissioned by Henry VIII to outshine every other royal home in Europe, Nonsuch Palace was filled with marble, gold, and ornate carvings. But here’s the twist — it was never finished.
By the 17th century, the palace was dismantled — literally taken apart for building materials. Today, not a single brick remains above ground.
What’s there now? Nonsuch Park — free and open to all
Archaeological digs have found foundations and artefacts
Named “Nonsuch” because there was "none such like it" in Europe
4. Bridewell Palace – From King’s Mansion to Prison
📍 Blackfriars, near Fleet Street
Originally built for Henry VIII as a riverside residence in the 1520s, Bridewell Palace took a wild turn.
By the 1550s, it had become a prison, hospital, and workhouse — and gave its name to “Bridewell” as a slang term for jail.
It was eventually demolished in the 19th century.
What’s there now? Offices and part of the Bridewell Theatre
You’ll still find “Bridewell Court” street signs in the area
5. Savoy Palace – London’s First Great Mansion, Burned by Rebels
📍 Strand, WC2R
Built in the 1200s for John of Gaunt, Savoy Palace was one of the grandest homes in medieval London — until it was burned down by peasants during the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt.
It was later replaced by the Savoy Hospital, and eventually the Savoy Hotel and Theatre.
What’s there now? The Savoy Hotel & Strand Lane
One of the oldest street layouts still intact from medieval London
John of Gaunt’s ghost is rumoured to still haunt the area...
6. Eltham Palace – Where Medieval Meets Art Deco
📍 Greenwich Borough, SE9
This one isn’t lost — but it feels like a forgotten world.
Eltham Palace was a favourite of the early Tudors, especially young Henry VIII, before falling out of royal favour.
It was later restored by the Courtauld family in the 1930s, who turned it into an Art Deco mansion with medieval ruins still attached.
What’s there now? An English Heritage site — open to the public
Best visited for: Picnics, gardens, and architecture fans
7. Baynard’s Castle – Where Elizabeth Was Declared Queen
📍 Near Blackfriars Station
Once a Norman fortress and later a riverside Tudor palace, Baynard’s Castle is almost completely forgotten — but it was hugely important in royal politics.
It’s where Edward IV claimed the throne, and Elizabeth I was told she had become Queen in 1558.
It was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and never rebuilt.
What’s there now? Offices and parts of the Thames Path
A plaque marks the location if you look closely
8. Winchester Palace – The Bishops’ Palace with Royal Secrets
📍 Southwark, near Borough Market
This wasn’t a royal palace per se, but bishops were power players, and their palace in Southwark hosted kings and queens regularly.
The ruins of Winchester Palace still stand today — right behind Borough Market, and most people miss them completely.
What’s there now? Ruins on display near Clink Street
A great photo stop if you know what you’re looking at!
Final Thoughts: Royal History That Disappeared Into the Pavement
Palaces don’t always last.
Some were burned, bombed, dismantled, or simply faded from memory. But walk the streets of London closely, and you’ll find ghosts of royalty everywhere — from train stations to office blocks.
So next time you walk through Greenwich Park or down Whitehall, remember: you’re walking over palaces. Grand halls. Throne rooms. Secrets.
They may be gone above ground — but they’re still part of London’s bones.
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