Palace House
Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, SO32 1DP
The Property
The house has retained an array of characterful period features notably in the open hall with its beautiful panelling and double height arched window. The remainder of the ground floor consists of a drawing room, dining room and study, which are all well-proportioned rooms with attractive cornicing, high ceilings and large sash windows, as well as a cloakroom, good sized laundry room and boot room with back entrance. Downstairs has a large south facing family kitchen with original beams that opens onto a suntrap terrace and the gardens beyond. Leading from the kitchen is a sitting room, wine cellar and further cloakroom. The first floor has four large bedrooms above the formal rooms below and include a master suite, family bathroom and cloakroom. The property currently has planning permission to extend the master bathroom and add a shower room. The second floor is currently three bedrooms and two bathrooms but again the owners have permission to reconfigure to create four bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms. An attached annexe, ideal for a nanny, gardener or relative consists of a sitting room, bedroom, bath room, kitchen and has its own entrance. There is also a former coach house with gymnasium and studio above.
Positioned amongst its stunning grounds and mature gardens, Palace House is a charming family house. Grade II* listed, the property is steeped in history. It dates back to the Tudor times, is primarily from 1690 and was added on to in 1840 and again in the 1900s. Beyond the wall and in view of the property are the ruins of Bishop’s Palace of which the property owns the freehold.
Welcome To Palace House
The Grounds
In keeping with the history of the house it has a Grade II listed granary covered in wisteria as well as the modern pleasures of a tennis court and swimming pool with pool house. Within the gardens are man-made brick streams built as far back as the 13th Century. The river of the Lord was blessed when it ran under a carved bishop’s head in one of the streams before it passed under the house. Another stream along the southern edge was built in about 1275 as an overflow from a neighbouring fishpond and was restored 12 years ago as a centrepiece of a “wild garden” under the guidance of Kim Wilkie, the distinguished landscape designer who lives locally. The property extends to approximately 9.7 acres including the historic ruins and a 4 acre paddock which is currently let on an agricultural tenancy.
The grounds and gardens are privately set within their Grade I 15th Century wall and form a particular feature of the house. The wall is part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument and, apart from the section between the two gravel driveways, is maintained by English Heritage. The mature gardens have been beautifully designed and provides a sea of colour from extensive borders, banks of flowers, pergola rose walk and orchard with a variety of apple, pear, plum and cherry trees. The garden includes a kitchen garden, south facing terrace next to the kitchen, front lawn, croquet lawn, large greenhouse, brick potting shed and apple store.
Set amongst a sea of colour
The History
In the 14th Century William of Wykeham, who was chancellor to Edward III and Richard II, extensively remodelled the palace and further improvements were done by his predecessor Cardinal Beaufort. It was during this time that Henry V stayed at the Palace before setting off for Agincourt. In the 16th Century Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell and Cardinal Wolsey often stayed, and The Treaty of Waltham was signed, which pledged an alliance between Henry VIII and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Mary I waited at the Palace before her marriage to Philip of Spain in Winchester Cathedral. During the Civil War the Palace was severely damaged and much of the interior demolished. The Palace was defended by 200 cavaliers but they were forced to surrender in April 1644. The site remained the property of the Bishops before being transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1869, who, in 1889, sold the site to the eminent physician Sir William Jenner. The ruins then passed to Admiral Cunningham (later Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope), one of Britain’s most distinguished naval commanders, and then First Sea Lord, during the Second World War, who subsequently placed them in the guardianship of the Ministry of Works (now English Heritage) in 1952.
Palace House owns the freehold to the historic ruins of the adjoining Bishop’s Palace although its maintenance is the sole responsibility of English Heritage. Bishop’s Palace is a Grade I listed scheduled ancient monument. In the Middle Ages, the Bishop’s Palace was one of the finest residences for the Bishops of Winchester, who were among the richest churchmen in Europe. First built by Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester and younger brother of King Stephen, from 1135 when it was surrounded by a park of nearly 1,000 acres. Henry of Blois was instrumental in the coup that brought Stephen to power and when Henry II claimed the throne in 1154 he ordered his castles and palaces to be destroyed. Henry of Blois rebuilt the Palace in the 1160s or 1170s, having returned from exile, and subsequently the Palace hosted royal councils under Henry II and Richard I.
Ruins steeped in History
The Layout
Floor Plans
The spacious accommodation extends to 5,436 sq. ft. in the main house with an additional 624 sq. ft. of accommodation in the attached annex and a 764 sq. ft. former coach house converted to provide a gymnasium and studio above. The Palace House is perfect for family living and entertaining.
Enchanting Hampshire House
The Location
The Palace House is situated on the outskirts of Bishop’s Waltham to the southern end of the Meon Valley surrounded by beautiful countryside on the edge of the South Downs. It is a convenient short walk from the centre of the thriving small country town which has several restaurants, pubs, cafes, shops, a post office and doctors’ surgery. The Palace House is well placed for easy communications with Winchester station taking approximately 57 minutes to London Waterloo, Botley station only 3.3 miles away taking 92 minutes to London Waterloo and Southampton international airport. Excellent schools, leisure and sporting activities nearby, including horse racing at Salisbury, Goodwood and Newbury, numerous Golf Clubs and more extensive shopping facilities and restaurants at Southampton, Portsmouth and the cathedral city of Winchester. Superb schooling including Winchester College, St Swithun’s, Prince’s Mead, Pilgrims, Twyford, Bedales and Churcher’s College.
The perfect position
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Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that: 1. They have no authority to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills has not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise. Details prepared: 26/03/2018. Digital produced by Real Media Group
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