Come for guided tours of the fascinating buildings of Bishop's Waltham Palace, started in the 12th century by the Bishop of Winchester. The Palace was so grand all the Tudor Monarchs stayed there.
There are three different tours available:
Tour 1: The Building Bishops. General tour of the Palace ruins that English Heritage have recently conserved, including the new platform in the West Tower (1 to 1.5 hours).
Tour 2: Courtiers and Crown Posts. An in-depth tour of the Bishop's Waltham Museum building, part of the original lodgings of the Palace, with its original crown-post roof from c. 1440, later converted into a farmhouse (1 hour).
Tour 3: Turret tour. The north turret on the Palace perimeter wall is not normally open to the public, but it is worth a look to see many unusual features. It is only one room but is 5 minutes walk away (45 mins).
Timings & Tours
Friday 12 September 6pm - Tour 3: Tour of the North Turret
Saturday 13 September: 11am - Tour 1: The Building Bishops. A tour of the Palace ruins.
Sunday 14 September: 11am - Tour 2: Courtiers and Crown Posts. An in-depth tour of the Bishop's Waltham Museum building
Location & directions
Directions: The Palace has a small English Heritage car park, but more car parking is available around Bishop's Waltham.
Contact on day: Penny Copeland
Telephone number: +447747808326
Booking information
Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking required
Booking conditions: Please book through Winchester Heritage Open Days. Details below.
Max no of people per tour: 15
Est. tour duration: 1 hours
Accessibility Details
All tours meet at the Museum. Unfortunately the upper floor of the museum involves stairs, and has no disabled access (although the ground floor is wheelchair friendly). The Palace turret has a narrow door and three steps up into the access field. Tour 1 has some steps that can be avoided with an uneven slope, but the new platform has a flight of stairs with no disabled access. All tours have uneven ground. The site has no toilets but there are public toilets in the town car park and local hostelries. Dogs on leads welcome in the Palace and museum (Tours 1, 2).
Additional Information
Our historic and traditional High Street connects the Palace with the 12th century church, so we hope you will take a stroll along it while you are in the town, perhaps have lunch or a drink. The Palace is also great for picnics.