Banqueting House

Banqueting House is a magnificent building of 1619-25, designed by Inigo Jones, originally part of the much larger Whitehall Palace. The exterior was refaced in Portland stone between 1829 and 1830, and a set-back north bay was added in 1798, incorporating a staircase designed by James Wyatt. The original materials comprised Oxford stone, contrasted with Northamptonshire stone above, with Portland stone used for the balustrade. The design is a revolutionary interpretation of Palladio’s town palace themes, reflecting Jones's experiences in Vicenza.

The building is two main storeys high over a basement, and is seven windows wide, with the three central bays slightly prominent. The basement is vermiculated, while the main storeys are ashlar-rusticated, with ashlar dressings and superimposed orders. The entrance is within the added staircase bay. Tall, architraved, glazing-bar sash windows are present, with alternating pediments on consoles to the lower main storey and cornices on consoles to the upper storey. These are regularly articulated by the superimposed orders, which are Composite over Ionic, with the central bays emphasised by attached columns and doubled pilasters to reinforce the corners. A plinth runs along the lower main storey, separating it from an entablature, which in turn sits below a crowning entablature. This features an enriched garland frieze between the Composite capitals, culminating in a balustraded parapet. The east front is similar in design.

Wyatt's stair annex is stuccoed and has a stone parapet, cornice, bands and dressings. A roundel niche above the doorway contains a bronze bust of Charles I by Le Sueur. The interior features a vaulted undercroft, above which rises the magnificent double cube saloon. The walls reflect the exterior articulation with Ionic half columns at their base and Corinthian pilasters above a stone balustered gallery. The main north entrance is emphasised by four detached columns supporting a balcony projection of the gallery. The ceiling is compartmented and frames Rubens’ Apotheosis of James I, painted circa 1630-34 and installed in 1635. Charles I is known to have stepped out onto a scaffold erected in front of the lower main storey in preparation for his execution.