Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
The Old Palace
St. Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 16 November 1962
- Community
- St. Asaph
- Unitary authority
- Denbighshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.25614, -3.44450
- Cadw reference
- 1469
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated below the Cathedral to E on sloping site. Reached by drive near the bottom of the High Street; wooded grounds to W
History
Built by Bishop Bagot in 1791 probably on an earlier palace dated 1634 or possibly to succeed Esgobty farmhouse as the Bishopric. Design attributed to Samuel Wyatt (of Bodorgan House, Anglesey). Enlarged to W for Bishop Carey 1830-1 by the London architect Edward Blore; modern additions by Brian Vaughan 1977-8.
Exterior
Simplified Jacobethan 6-bay main (W) front with asymmetrical fenestration and rock faced masonry with red sandstone dressings. 3-storey, with attic to gabled advanced end bays; gable parapets, ground floor stringcourse and plinth. 2nd floor slightly set back to bays with central chimney breast. Tudor hoodmoulds to windows, mainly 2-light sashes, 4 and 5 light windows to outer bays; tall twin transomed heavily leaded windows flank central entrance with gable and finial over containing Bishop Carey's coat of arms. 4-window n front, half blore, half wyatt with coresponding differences of material and detail. Fine 9-bay 2-storey ashlar garden (E) front with cill band, plinth and 3-bay central bow with shallow domed roof. Hipped slate roof, parapet and coved cornice with chimney stacks and gables of main front rising behind. Blind panels between floors; central panel over entrance has Bishop Bagot's coat of arms and dated 1791; bracket cornice over panelled doors. Small pane sash windows, 9-pane to 1st floor and 15-pane to ground floor. Modern brick range (not of special interest) adjoins to rendered s side which retains 1 sash window. stone plaque by entrance dated 1634 relating to the time of Bishop John Owen.
Interior
Interior retains tall square entrance hall with gothic detail to T-plan staircase and tripartite landing screen. E range has adamesque cornice with arabesques to central rose, panelled shutters, dado rail and Wyatt fireplace with swags. Bow window to saloon with fluted architraves to doors. Stone flagged, brick groin vaulted cellars with one barrel vaulted chamber.
Reason for designation
Group value with lodge, Tithe Barn House and Palace Gardens.
Nearby in the register
- Garden Wall at Esgobty FarmDomesticunder 1 mi
- Esgobty FarmhouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Palace GardensDomesticunder 1 mi
- Dovecote at Esgonty FarmDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.