Inigo Jones designed the house for Anne of Denmark, who commissioned it in 1616, drawing on his Italian tour of 1613 to 1615. The article calls it England's first consciously classical building and credits it with introducing Palladianism. Work stopped before Anne died, and Henrietta Maria had it finished. The infobox and text give 1635, though another passage says between about 1629 and 1638.
The original design was a pavilion with a bridge over the London-Dover road. The Great Hall is a perfect cube, 40 feet (12 m) on each side, with a gallery over black and white marble. The Tulip Staircase is described as Britain's first geometric, unsupported wrought-iron staircase.
It is Grade I listed, and the protected status includes a 115-foot (35 m) axial vista to the Thames. It is part of the National Maritime Museum, reopened on October 11, 2016 after a 14-month restoration, and is normally open daily and free.
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