The Old Palace

The Old Palace is a Grade II* listed building featuring a Simplified Jacobethan style. It has a six-bay main front facing west, characterized by asymmetrical window arrangements and rock-faced masonry with red sandstone dressings. The building is three stories tall, with an attic in the gabled advanced end bays, and includes gable parapets, a ground floor string course, and a plinth. The second floor is slightly set back, and there is a central chimney breast. Windows feature Tudor hoodmoulds, predominantly 2-light sashes, with 4 and 5 light windows in the outer bays. Tall twin transomed heavily leaded windows flank the central entrance, which is topped with a gable and finial displaying Bishop Carey's coat of arms. The front has four windows, with a mix of materials and details reflecting both Blore and Wyatt influences.

The east-facing garden front is a fine 9-bay, two-storey structure made of ashlar, complete with a cill band, plinth, and a three-bay central bow that has a shallow domed roof. The hipped slate roof features a parapet and a coved cornice, with chimney stacks and gables from the main front rising behind. There are blind panels between the floors, and the central panel above the entrance displays Bishop Bagot's coat of arms and is dated 1791. The entrance has a bracket cornice over panelled doors, and the windows are small pane sashes, with 9 panes on the first floor and 15 panes on the ground floor. A modern brick range, which is not of special interest, adjoins the rendered south side, retaining one sash window. A stone plaque by the entrance is dated 1634 and relates to the time of Bishop John Owen.

Inside, the building retains a tall square entrance hall with gothic details, leading to a T-plan staircase and a tripartite landing screen. The east range features an Adamesque cornice with arabesques surrounding a central rose, panelled shutters, a dado rail, and a Wyatt fireplace adorned with swags. The saloon includes a bow window with fluted architraves on the doors. The cellars are stone flagged with brick groin vaulting, including one barrel vaulted chamber.