Last week my daughter took me to Bishop’s Waltham, a village a few miles from her home in Hampshire to see the ruins of its medieval palace. The buildings are full of atmosphere and set in lovely grounds.
This is the great hall, imagine how magnificent it would have been. 
The buttery, pantry and servery, rebuilt in 1387-90 by Wykeham.
Intriguing little peepways, including narrow ones for arrows. I’d like to know what the curve shape is about in the second photo. 
Amazing stonework.
The Bishop’s tower, where he had his private apartments. 
I loved the shape here and the feel of the stone, each one laid by some secret hand from long ago.
The bakehouse and brewhouse, my favourite part, I think because of the chimney breast, again marvelous stonework with different bits added and repaired over time.
This palace was mainly constructed by William Wykeham who was bishop from 1367. It has earlier history though, with important royal visitors, King Henry 11 visited in 1182 and Richard the Lionheart in 1194. Henry V prepared for the battle of Agincourt here and Queen Mary 1 waited for King Philip of Spain to arrive for thier marriage in 1554. Imagine the ghosts!
English Heritage look after the site and its free to visit all through the summer.
See what a wonderful family picnic spot the palace is! http://sugarandspiceandallthingslife.com/2013/09/02/a-family-picnic-at-the-palace/
Lucid Gypsy 
“some secret hand from long ago” – that’s what fascinates me about all sorts of ancient things. Somebody with friends and family and a childhood and problems and plans made them, and we’ll never know what the rest of their life was. Just “I was here. I made this.”
My son & his family live in Bishops Waltham but we’ve never been round such a marvellous building. Will do so now!
Really? But you can’t miss it, it’s on the main through road – to Winchester I think!
I love your photos!
That this building was the place of such important historic occasions. I always like to see the working parts like kitchens, brewing house etc. Great pics.
Wondrous feelings: walking through, looking, touching history. These are remarkable photos. Thank you.
a particularly beautiful ruin thank you Gilly … those soft brick shapes, all curvy, Bishop’s lived the good life!
Thank you! Just resolved a dilemma of what to do for a picnic with my kids as had not heard about it and only 40 minute drive! We like a good ruin for playing knights!
Ah, Gilly, these photos are wonderful! What a beautiful place!
🙂
It’s wonderful to imagine the lives which have passed through this place before us. Thank you for sharing it with us 🙂
What an exciting adventure! Pictures that make us feel like we were there too. Have a great week my friend.
Amazing! I do love history and I wonder what it is like to have lived in those times.
The stonework is incredible – so much effort and art went into creating these wonderful old buildings – history cemented in stone. Great post, Gilly.