More information : (TL 5192 8420) Bishop's Palace (NR) (Remains of) (NAT) (1) "The remains of the former Bishop's Palace are incorporated farm buildings about 1/2 mile west of the parish church. The palace was rebuilt by Bishop Alcock (1486 - 1500), and the surviving remains are all of this period. The building fell into decay while it was alienated from the see during the Commonwealth, and was never readapted as an episcopal palace after 1660". Present remains include a detached structure on the east, possibly the chapel, and south of it lies a large, rectangular "pigeon-house", now dilapidated. To the north stands a structure with only the base of its walls surviving and to the west, built into the south wall of the barn, is an oven and drying chamber, suggesting the kitchen and hall were here. These remains superseded the earlier manor house which was the episcopal palace for more than 500 years. The present farm house seems to date from the early 19th century but is largely built of older materials and could incorporate portions of the palace walls. (2) "Applies to the site of Bishop Alcock's Palace but of which only a small portion remained and which are used as outbuildings to the Tower Farm, the dwelling house being erected on the site of the palace. The property of Mr W E Stockdale occupier". (3-4) (For medieval deer park, see TL 58 SW 11.) The remains are identifiable as follows. At TL 5194 8420, the supposed chapel of brick with stone dressings. Attached to the NW a yard utilising old walls. The brick barn at TL 5189 8418 incorporates in its SW and SE walls remains identified by Auty 2 as part of the kitchen and hall. The dovecote has gone. See photos. (5)
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