Eltham Palace to open unseen wartime bunker after £1m restoration

Eltham Palace is to have a £1 million restoration — with a map room, a wartime bunker and an extravagant walk-in wardrobe unveiled for the first time.

In 1936, textile heir Stephen Courtauld and his wife Virginia built a striking Art Deco mansion to adjoin the great hall of the medieval palace, where they hosted parties for royalty, politicians and society figures.

English Heritage is embarking on a £1 million, six-month restoration of five rooms in the couple’s extension, including their Second World War bunker and Virginia’s walk-in wardrobe. The organisation is also appealing for donations to help pay for the £25,000 restoration of wall maps dating from the Thirties, which were discovered behind wallpaper by curators. The restored rooms are due to be opened next year.