The Palace

The Palace, located in Old Hatfield, was originally the residence of the Bishops of Ely, built by John Morton around 1480. In 1607, it was exchanged with Robert Cecil, the 1st Earl of Salisbury, for Theobalds Palace, and was partially demolished, leaving the east side of what was once a quadrangular block along with the gate lodge on the west. From 1628 until the 20th century, it served as the stables for Hatfield House and is now used as a hall for entertainments.

The building is constructed of red brick with a decorative diaper pattern and underwent significant restoration in the early to mid-19th century. It has two storeys and attics, with both the east and west elevations featuring 20 windows. Each side has a central square projecting tower that rises to the apex of a plain tile roof, flanked by five windows on each side and two-window gabled end bays. Most windows are 2-light under hoodmoulds, and there are 19th-century stepped buttresses. The towers have ground floor porches with 4-centred arches, and above these porches are single light casements on the first and second floors. The brickwork in the towers features a burnt-header pattern, primarily from the 19th century. Parapets are supported on brick corbel tables, and the northern end of the building has a coach entrance with a cambered brick tunnel arch.

The dais of the hall was located at the south end of the current hall, while the kitchens and offices were situated in the northern half of the range. The roof of the hall showcases impressive late medieval timber construction, with principals resting on carved stone corbels, arched braces that are moulded, collar-beams that are cross-trussed, and ogee-shaped wind braces arranged in two tiers between the principals.