The Old Palace

The Old Palace, also known as Stockwell College, is a historic building located on Rochester Avenue in Bromley. The site has been associated with the Bishop of Rochester since at least the time of Gundulph. The original manor house was rebuilt by Bishop Gilbert de Glanville in 1184 and underwent various alterations over the years. However, the old structure was demolished by Bishop John Thomas, who completely rebuilt it between 1774 and 1776. The building served as the residence for the Bishop of Rochester until 1845, when it was sold by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

The Old Palace is a two-storey building with an attic, featuring nine windows and eight modern dormers. It is constructed of red brick and has a painted stringcourse, a wooden modillion eaves cornice, and a tiled roof. The glazing bars are missing. The three central window bays project and are topped with a pediment that displays the date 1775 and a cartouche featuring the arms of Bishop Thomas. The entrance porch is adorned with Doric columns, a curved pediment, and a shell motif in the tympanum. After 1845, when the building became a private residence, modern wings were added on each side by the College, and a colonnaded verandah was introduced on the south front by Coles Child.