Banqueting House

The current Banqueting House was build in 1619. The building comprises two storeys: a vaulted ground story and an upper story containing the Banqueting Hall. The east and west elevations are faced with Portland stone, while the north and south ends, where exposed, are in cement with stone dressings. The south end has a large semi-circular headed window, with a doorway leading from the gallery floor to the main staircase of the adjoining premises.The east and west elevations are symmetrical, each comprising seven bays.The general wall treatment to the bays is rusticated, and the windows are square-headed.The upper story is in two stages, an Ionic Order, carrying a Composite Order, typical Baroque pilasters.Between the capitals to the upper stage is a boldly carved frieze representing draped female masks between swags of fruit. The annexe at the north end contains an entrance hall and main staircase leading to the Banqueting Hall, with a secondary staircase continuing from the Hall to the gallery and offices above.

Entrypoint to:

Banqueting Hall