The Archbishop’s Palace is open 9.00am -5.00pm daily However, it is advisable to check times before travelling as the venue is also used for private and chargeable events.

The Archbishop’s Palace and Sensory Gardens are an exciting new visitor attraction dating from the 14^th Century. The main Palace, parts of which can be seen in the gardens, was built in the 1360s and altered in the 1500s. Although the Archbishop’s Palace was restored in the Edwardian era, it retains its original proportions with the beams of the magnificent vaulted ceiling of the State Chamber being mostly medieval originals. The most famous occupant was the all-powerful Cardinal Wolsey. It was in this room of the Palace that Cardinal Wolsey would have held his last frantic meetings in 1530 to try and extricate himself from his failure to secure Henry VIII a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Equally, the nature of the room’s function makes it a reasonable supposition that Charles Ӏ would have met his advisers here and, following his capture in Southwell, his arrest was formalised here. Certainly, the Palace is his first place of final imprisonment.

With such a rich heritage, the State Chamber now makes an excellent and flexible resource space – wedding receptions, exhibitions, conferences, social gatherings, community events etc. Access is via a lift, and a newly installed kitchen allows for a much expanded list of potential users. Flexible Interpretation within the State Chamber engages and informs visitors.

Throughout the year the gardens outside provide an excellent educational resource for visitors and school groups alike with regular events and activities.

Categories: Things to do