The Bishop's Palace

The Bishop's Palace is a significant historical site featuring a large quadrangle with the main buildings located on the south side. The earliest surviving structure is likely the northeast enclosure wall and northwest range. Access is through a plain late 13th century gatehouse at the left end of the northeast wall, which is next to a supposed private chapel from the mid 14th century, elevated on a vaulted undercroft.

On the east side, there is the late 13th century Bishop's Hall, notable for its arcaded parapets linked to the work of Bishop Gower, who is also associated with Lamphey Palace, Swansea Castle, and Gower's Great Hall. The hall features a carved gateway with a broad flight of steps and a semi-octagonal head, typical of Gower's style and related to the Bristol school.

To the north of the Bishop's Hall is the solar, dating from the late 13th century, while to the south lies the kitchen, built in the late 14th century. The south side of the quadrangle includes the great hall from the mid 14th century, which boasts a striking ogee-headed doorway, accessed by a broad flight of steps, long lancet windows, and a beautiful rose window at the east end. The hall is adorned with an arcaded parapet featuring varicoloured voussoirs.

At the west end, there is a late 14th century bishop's chapel with a bell turret. It is likely that domestic buildings and stables occupied the west side of the quadrangle, with a late 15th or early 16th century wing located to the southeast of the solar. The site is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.