Description
Prince Henry’s Room is an incredible, rare survival of Jacobean architecture tucked away on the first floor of 17 Fleet Street in the City of London. Constructed originally in 1610, this atmospheric setting stands proud as one of the very few timber-framed structures to fully survive the devastating Great Fire of London in 1666. For families seeking historical wonders, peering up at its heavily timbered frontage or catching a glimpse of its interior during special community openings offers an unforgettable real-life connection to Tudor and Stuart history.
Prices start from £0, as viewing the beautiful historical facade from Fleet Street is completely free. While the interior is currently used as an operational diplomatic office and closed for daily public drop-ins, the building opens its doors for special free public events, such as the annual London Open House Festival, where families can explore the rooms without spending a penny.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that focuses on genuine architectural survival, ancient royal myths, and famous literary links, checking out this historic landmark is a fascinating addition to your walking tour. It delivers a quick, completely free educational day out that helps school children visualize what London looked like before the great fire while sparking their imagination with tales of old taverns and hidden royal chambers.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Top Features
- Pre-Great Fire Survival: One of the rare timber-framed buildings in the financial district that did not burn down in 1666, offering a tangible look at ancient London layout.
- Royal Jacobean Ceilings: Contains one of the most stunning and complete Jacobean enriched plaster ceilings remaining in the entire capital.
- Literary and Diary Connections: Strongly tied to the famous 17th-century diarist Samuel Pepys, who regularly drank and sang in the building when it functioned as an inn.
- National Curriculum Resource: An exceptional visual aid for children studying Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 history modules on Stuart England or the Great Fire.
Highlights
- The Overhanging Timber Facade: When standing on Fleet Street, look up at the beautiful upper floors which feature a classic jetty design, meaning they extend out over the street below. Children will love seeing how homes were built with wood and glass panels before strict brick laws were introduced after 1666.
- The Plaster Ceiling and Royal Feathers: The absolute crown jewel inside the first-floor room is the incredibly detailed Jacobean plaster ceiling. Right in the center, children can spot the beautifully molded triple plumes of the Prince of Wales's feathers along with the initials "PH," crafted to honor King James I's eldest son, Prince Henry.
- Original 17th-Century Oak Panelling: Inside the room, the west wall still boasts its authentic, dark Jacobean wood panelling from 1610. Walking past these deep oak partitions allows children to see and feel exactly what a high-status meeting room or tavern looked like during the Stuart era.
- The Inner Temple Gateway Arch: The building is structurally built directly on top of the historic stone gateway to Inner Temple Lane. Kids can walk right underneath the building's timber frame through the pedestrian archway, finding themselves transported instantly from a busy road into a quiet courtyard.
- Stained-Glass Armorial Windows: The front windows overlooking Fleet Street contain gorgeous leaded lights and inset stained-glass pieces. These panels showcase colorful historic coats of arms and ancient badges that catch the natural daylight beautifully.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Since a stop at Prince Henry’s Room is a quick external highlight, families can easily transition into surrounding historic locations. Walking right through the building’s gateway brings you into the peaceful courtyards of the Inner Temple, where kids can safely run around wide, traffic-free lawns and discover the medieval Temple Church. Directly across the road sits St Dunstan-in-the-West, a historic church featuring an outdoor clock from 1671 where mechanical wooden giants strike bells on the quarter-hour. Furthermore, a 5-minute walk leads to Dr Johnson's House in Gough Square, the authentic 18th-century home where the first comprehensive English dictionary was written.
0.14 miles
