Winchester Palace
Winchester Palace
3.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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The area
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Neighborhood: Southwark
Even before the arrival of the instantly iconic Shard, the riverside scene in Southwark had moved well beyond any up-and-coming phase of development. For quite some time, locals and out-of-towners alike have loved browsing the boutiques of Bermondsey High Street, foraging through the bounteous stalls at centuries old foodie haven Borough Market, and flocking to the banks of the Thames to enjoy some of Britain's biggest attractions such as Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe. Despite Southwark's many popular draws, instant calm can be achieved easily by turning down almost any side street. For more urban buzz, a quick stroll across famed bridges like the pedestrianized Millennium Bridge or the ever photogenic Tower Bridge yields access to the very core of Central London. And with London Bridge Station as this neighborhood's main transportation hub, getting across town (or to anywhere in England for that matter) is a relative breeze.
How to get there
- London Bridge • 6 min walk
- Cannon St • 7 min walk
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2,405 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
76 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
26
Average
28
Poor
6
Terrible
0
juliaandadam123
Ashford, UK1,895 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
English Heritage advertised this on their website and as we were in the area we headed over! Nearly walked straight by, as not much there to see! It’s nice that someone has put some planters out though and I expect this will look quite nice in spring/summer.
Written February 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Micklah
United Kingdom407 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
It's a nice but curious monument to what was medieval Winchester Palace as all that is left is a couple of walls and part of what I presume was a crypt. Now surrounded by hideous modern buildings you can be forgiven for passing it at a second glance.
Written December 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LondonTraveller848
London, UK1,242 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Easily missed when walking past, the remains of the the palace of the Bishop of Winchester are a hint of the former glory of the palace.
We had a walk from Borough Market to the South Bank, a beautiful interesting walk with loads of interesting places to see, such as this palace.
We had a walk from Borough Market to the South Bank, a beautiful interesting walk with loads of interesting places to see, such as this palace.
Written March 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The palace was the residence of the visiting Bishops. Upon the original 6 acres were the following:
(1) Clink prison
(2) Butchery
(3) Tennis court
(4) Bowling alley
(5) Stables
(6) Gardens
(7) Courtyards
The Great Hall would have been 80 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 43 feet high; its purpose was for dining and entertaining; it was the centrpiece of this Medieval castle. Although it looks like it could have been a church (given the large rose window), it was not. The purpose was to keep the Bishops in comfort during their stays in London.
What was once grand and glorious in the 1200's slid downhill into decay, modified disuse/abuse, and destruction by an historical fiery conflagration.
In the 1600's, the structure was purchased and divided/reconfigured into tenements and warehouses. Two hundred years later, the Great Fire of 1814 reduced the tenements to ashes and revealed the sole standing "Great Hall" piece of history (which has only recently been conserved). Further urban redevelopment in the 1980's revealed more of the wall.
And this is all located on "Clink" Street. Clink, as in jail. Clink, like in the sound of the blacksmith hammering the shackles shut, and the sound of the door bolt groaning as it closed, and the sound of a person dragging those chains. So, this very Medieval term has survived 800 years later as a slang term for jail, as in "thrown in the clink." It can join the ranks of the historical nursery rhymes: London Bridge is Falling Down and Ring around the Rosy.
Architecturally, it is Medieval Tudor and reached its peak in the 1200's. Today, it is managed by the environmental/charitable/volunteer organization: Bankside Open Spaces Trust. These are the folks who beautify the public spaces in London (thus the planter boxes in front of these ruins).
We thought it very interesting that the street level had changed so much over time but it is consistent with all the discoveries of historic urban sites we've seen in Europe all over (like Hadrian's Temple in Rome's center). In this case, you can look down at the earlier foundation for the Great Hall ruins to see how the street level has risen.
Apparently, excavations are still going on, although we saw no signs of that. No telling what awaits discovery underneath this treasure.
(1) Clink prison
(2) Butchery
(3) Tennis court
(4) Bowling alley
(5) Stables
(6) Gardens
(7) Courtyards
The Great Hall would have been 80 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 43 feet high; its purpose was for dining and entertaining; it was the centrpiece of this Medieval castle. Although it looks like it could have been a church (given the large rose window), it was not. The purpose was to keep the Bishops in comfort during their stays in London.
What was once grand and glorious in the 1200's slid downhill into decay, modified disuse/abuse, and destruction by an historical fiery conflagration.
In the 1600's, the structure was purchased and divided/reconfigured into tenements and warehouses. Two hundred years later, the Great Fire of 1814 reduced the tenements to ashes and revealed the sole standing "Great Hall" piece of history (which has only recently been conserved). Further urban redevelopment in the 1980's revealed more of the wall.
And this is all located on "Clink" Street. Clink, as in jail. Clink, like in the sound of the blacksmith hammering the shackles shut, and the sound of the door bolt groaning as it closed, and the sound of a person dragging those chains. So, this very Medieval term has survived 800 years later as a slang term for jail, as in "thrown in the clink." It can join the ranks of the historical nursery rhymes: London Bridge is Falling Down and Ring around the Rosy.
Architecturally, it is Medieval Tudor and reached its peak in the 1200's. Today, it is managed by the environmental/charitable/volunteer organization: Bankside Open Spaces Trust. These are the folks who beautify the public spaces in London (thus the planter boxes in front of these ruins).
We thought it very interesting that the street level had changed so much over time but it is consistent with all the discoveries of historic urban sites we've seen in Europe all over (like Hadrian's Temple in Rome's center). In this case, you can look down at the earlier foundation for the Great Hall ruins to see how the street level has risen.
Apparently, excavations are still going on, although we saw no signs of that. No telling what awaits discovery underneath this treasure.
Written October 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IneedaRoadscoller
Toronto, Canada167 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
We found this little gem on our walk along the Southbank. The rediscovered ruins of Winchester Palace. There is an information plaque describing the Palace and it's history and the bizarre tale of how it was lost, then "rediscovered" in the 80's during redevelopment. I preferred this half of the Southbank walk (Millennium Bridge to Tower Bridge) over the more touristy half West of Millennium Bridge. You go down more alleys and tunnels and come across interesting sites such as this.
Written October 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waddler
York, UK12,483 contributions
Apr 2023
You may stop if you are passing, but I wouldn't go out of your way.
Even then you may not notice it, but there is a small information board to explain what you are looking at.
Even then you may not notice it, but there is a small information board to explain what you are looking at.
Written May 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldwideRover007
United States2,898 contributions
May 2021
There isnt much too see other than a quick glance. There is a plaque explaining the ruins and history. No place to sit and admire. All in all, finished in under 5 minutes.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michellechampers
England, UK3,709 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Not much is left of Winchester Palace, so keep your eyes open it situated on Clink street opposite the replica tea clipper Golden Hind. A 12th-century palace built by the Bishop of Winchester in the London Borough of Southwark and mostly destroyed by fire in 1814. Remains of walls from the 14th century, with a rose window, are all that is visible now, so you have to use your imagination, I am Led to believe it was hidden for years behind old work house walls until it was re discovered in the 19th century and carefully excavated until 1980 when it was finally put on show to the public, it’s visible from the street so there is no admission fee.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mindy1001
Walsall, UK473 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Walked around here to see various sites but this site is very special in contrast to the modern surroundings. Pretty brick/ stone work window. Incredible it’s lasted so long!!
Written October 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen T
Preston, UK20,059 contributions
Sep 2019
We just happened to be passing this spot and had no idea that this ruin was here let alone that it had been a palace in a previous life.
Though it housed but a bishop in the days of such the clergy were powerful individuals and so a historic landmark of note. It's good that this ruin has at least been preserved for posterity and is yet another interesting adjunct to the ever popular Thames path stroll.
Though it housed but a bishop in the days of such the clergy were powerful individuals and so a historic landmark of note. It's good that this ruin has at least been preserved for posterity and is yet another interesting adjunct to the ever popular Thames path stroll.
Written September 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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