The Archbishop’s Palace

Admire the Palace and its beautiful sensory garden and uncover its distinguished guests...
Adjacent to Southwell Minster, the Archbishop’s Palace and Gardens are rich in history. It is the place where Cardinal Wolsey held his last frantic meeting trying to extricate himself from his failure to secure Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and where Charles I was arrested following his capture in the town.

The main Palace that visitors can see today dates from the 14th Century and the ruined section can be admired up-close from the beautiful sensory garden. Although the surviving part of the Palace – the Great Hall – 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. Steeped in such heritage, it has become a popular venue for weddings, exhibitions and social gatherings.

Visitors can enjoy touring the Palace and gardens thanks to the many information panels, leaflets and electronic soundscapes on offer. The enclosed sensory gardens, with open lawns, are full of herbs, shrubs and flowering plants – and have become the setting for a variety of events and activities.

While enjoying wandering the grounds, visitors may also be able to hear the lovely sound of singing from the Song School whose home is in the Palace. One of the oldest schools in the country, it has been an integral part of Southwell Minster since the 13^th Century.