PIN Winchester Palace

A palatial palace on the southbank

Winchester Palace was once one of the largest and most important buildings in all of medieval London. Built in the early 13th century as a home to the powerful Bishops of Winchester, the palace was mostly destroyed by fire in 1814.

Today visitors can see the impressive architecture of the remaining walls of the Great Hall, including a magnificent rose window that adorns the west gable.

Triptide thoughts

A beautiful piece of London's history

How to get there

7 minutes by walk from the London Bridge underground station.
5 minute by walk from the London Bridge Borough High St bus stop.

History

A few walls are all that remain of the palace of the powerful Bishops of Winchester, one of the largest and most important buildings in medieval London.Founded in the 12th century by Bishop Henry of Blois, brother of King Stephen, Winchester Palace was built to house the bishops in comfort when staying in London on royal or administrative business.

The remains were part of the great hall, which formally stood alongside the south bank of the Thames. The gable wall of the hall has doors which led to the buttery, pantry and kitchen, and it has a magnificent rose window.

Below the hall was a vaulted cellar, where goods such as wine could be stored, with a passage to the river wharf.

The hall would have been lavishly decorated, and was often used to entertain royal guests, such as James I of Scotland and Joan Beaufort, who held their wedding feast here in 1424.