Visit the Painted Hall
Painted in the early 18th century by Sir James Thornhill, the hall features 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings. These surfaces are covered in striking paintings depicting 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures.
The Painted Hall reopened in 2019, following a two year long, award-winning conservation project and is now open for visits, tours and to hire.
For those who can’t visit us, we have a new, free 360 degree virtual tour. This online tour offers you to the chance to explore this magnificent Baroque masterpiece from the comfort of your own home.
There are many different ways that you can explore the Painted Hall in all its glory – even while our doors are closed.
Why not download our quiz sheet as you take a look around?
(And here are the answers – no cheating!)
Virtual Tour
The virtual tour lets you marvel up-close at fire-breathing serpents, glistening jewels and bubble-blowing cherubs that are not clearly visible from the ground.
Pan around and zoom in to marvel at the details in ultra-high resolution and discover the stories behind the art.
Virtual Reality on your smartphone
There is also an option to experience the Painted Hall in VR mode using a Smartphone and a VR viewer, allowing a ‘look around’ function.
Here are some ideas about how to make your own VR viewer at home.
Come and visit
Join our ‘500 years of history’ tour to find out more about the Painted Hall.
Once purchased, your ticket is valid for a full calendar year, allowing you to return as many times as you like.
Plan a visit
BSL Virtual Tour
The virtual tour is available in English and British Sign Language (with subtitles).
Just choose the language you prefer when asked.
Audio Described Tour
Listen to an audio-described tour of the Old Royal Naval College site by our former Head of Conservation, Will Palin and, the actress, Tara Fitzgerald.
Donate today to support us
Like so many other places, we have had to close our doors to play our part in keeping everyone safe during the global pandemic.
The money we make from visits, goes towards maintaining, understanding and conserving our beautiful buildings and grounds so that you and your family can visit and learn about them for many years to come.