Live a life of Tudor fancy in this five-bedroom London home with links to Cardinal Wolsey and Henry VIII
Fans of Wolf Hall rejoice, as a rare chance to own a Tudor home inside the M25 comes to market.


As someone who lives in the area, there is much to be found in SE9. Not all of it necessarily pleasant. What I was not expecting, however, was this glorious Tudor home, named Court Yard, which was once part of the Royal Court at Eltham Palace and built in the 16th century. It’s quite rare to find something like this for sale, but for sale it is, for £2 million with Hamptons.
It gets better. It is one of only three remaining Tudor homes in the area, constructed as part of the estate to house the Chancellor of the Exchequer Cardinal Wolsey; Eltham Palace was a former childhood home of Henry VIII. Court Yard is now a five-bedroom home, ideal for a family or a couple ‘seeking country living within a London suburb’.





Is there a moat bridge involved in reaching this property? There is. Does it have a ‘discreet postcard perfect Tudor façade, framed by cherry blossom’? It does. There is so much to love here, from both a history perspective and ‘gosh isn’t this just a nice and comfortable five-bedroom house’ perspective.
There are, of course, plenty of period features throughout. Exposed beams galore. Very small windows in place (as well as plenty of big ones). But overall, the property is modern in all the right places. A large functioning kitchen. Lots of light.
There are red rooms, and then there's this.
Nice oak beams though. And who doesn't love a four-poster bed.
There is one bedroom that I feel I must draw your attention to, where the Tudor/Elizabethan theme could be described as a little ‘overwhelming’. But people are allowed to have fun, are they not?
Court Yard is complemented by a spacious garden to the rear, with a patio area directly adjoining the house and steps that lead down past box hedges to a manicured lawn. There is plenty of green space to be found in Eltham itself, with the Royal Blackheath Golf Course, England’s oldest, a short walk away.



Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.

James Fisher is the Deputy Digital Editor of Country Life. He writes about property, travel, motoring and things that upset him. He lives in London.
-
The transformative renovation of a Grade II-listed property with an 'unusual footprint'
Having inherited this fine London townhouse, the new owner asked Sims Hilditch to help refresh the interiors, resulting in a youthful, yet elegant kitchen.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
‘One of the most effective pieces of propaganda ever made’: the Bayeux Tapestry heads to Britain for the first time in almost a millennium
A historic agreement between this country and France sees the 225ft-long tableau — which may have been made in Britain but has been in France since 1077 — arrive at the British Museum in Autumn 2026.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countryside
Hartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in Cornwall
The Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
By James Fisher Published
-
The Mediterranean Magic of Malta
With historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
By Holly Kirkwood Published
-
Four country houses with their own tennis courts, as seen in Country Life
If Wimbledon has put you in the mood for more tennis, Annunciata Elwes is here with a selection of homes with their own tennis courts.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for sale
Great estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
By Anna White Last updated
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
By Lotte Brundle Published