Bishop's Palace

Cardiff, United Kingdom

The Bishop's Palace is the ruined residence of the bishops of Llandaff. It is located a short distance to the south of Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, Wales. The twin-towered gatehouse is one of the few remaining structures.

The surviving gatehouse resembles the architecture of Caerphilly Castle, which may indicate that the same master mason worked on both fortifications. This would date the Palace to the time of William de Braose who became Bishop of Llandaff in 1266. It is believed the Palace was attacked and damaged by Owain Glyndŵr in the rebellion of 1402–05, and was subsequently abandoned by the bishop of the period, who moved to live at Mathern Palace in Monmouthshire; bishops did not return to live near their cathedral again until 1850. The Bishops Palace was intact in 1610 when it was shown in a plan by John Speed, but was probably destroyed during the English Civil War.

The Bishop's Palace was really a small medieval fortress set in a rectangular enclosure measuring 52 by 40 m. It had four irregular lengths of curtain wall, three towers and a gatehouse at the west corner. One of the towers was square and another was round, while the third has disappeared completely. The remains of the gatehouse survive to this day. It has two towers and originally had two storeys above the basement, a vaulted archway, a portcullis slot and a great oak door with much decorative ironwork. There would have been timber buildings within the courtyard, but there is now no sign of these.

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Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Christine Allen (2 years ago)
It was early when I passed so peaceful as no one about. When its hot unfortunately sometimes people are in there drinking cans of alcohol
Sorin Ion (2 years ago)
Nice green place, former residence of the Llandaff's Bishop. The view to the Cathedral is nice.
Desi Beats International (3 years ago)
Quiet secluded gardens, with a beautiful cathedral a stones throw away :)
Yee (4 years ago)
Beautiful garden- with lovely trees. Ample benches to rest and enjoy the peace and tranquility. Family, wheelchair and dog friendly. Scenic, free to public.
Michael Samways (4 years ago)
Plenty of parking first 2hours free shops open 1open for coffee at moment K2s opening on 17may plenty of social distancing
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