Wolvesey Palace

Wolvesey Palace is a Grade I listed building, originally constructed as a bishop's residence in 1684, designed by Sir Christopher Wren for Bishop George Morley. The east wing was demolished in 1781. The palace features two storeys and an attic, built from stone ashlar with a string course at the first floor level and an elaborate, bold bracketed stone cornice. It has an old tile roof with stone chimney stacks.

The garden front displays 11 windows and 10 dormers, with a central door that has a bayed pediment supported by rusticated Ionic piers, and a coat of arms positioned above the door. The entrance front has five windows in the central part and three dormers, while the projecting south wing contains three windows and three dormers. The central door here features a moulded architrave and a flat hood supported by carved brackets. All windows are mullioned and transomed with lead casements that are segmental headed.

The north wing houses the chapel of Wolvesey Castle, which dates back to the 15th century but likely includes older elements. This wing has a five-light east window and three three-light south windows, all in the Perpendicular style. The doorways and west gallery date from around 1684. All the listed buildings in The Close are part of a group value context.