Palace

Bishop's Waltham Palace

Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire
Directions
  • Open
  • Free entry
  • Parking on site
  • English Heritage
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Photo: Michael Coppins · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Bishop's Waltham Palace is a palace near Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, managed by English Heritage. Entry is free. There is a car park on site.

Bishop's Waltham Palace opening times

Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 10:0016:00
  2. Tue 13 10:0016:00
  3. Wed 14 10:0016:00
  4. Today Thu 15 10:0016:00
  5. Fri 16 10:0016:00
  6. Sat 17 10:0016:00
  7. Sun 18 10:0016:00
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Summer (grounds) 1 Apr to 30 Sep
Daily
10:00 to 18:00
 n/a
Winter (grounds) 1 Oct to 31 Mar
Daily
10:00 to 16:00
 n/a

Closed on 25 Dec, 26 Dec, 1 Jan.

Grounds daily Apr-Sep 10:00-18:00, Oct-Mar 10:00-16:00, closed 25, 26 Dec and 1 Jan; EH calendar w/c 12 Oct shows 10:00-16:00. Museum (separate, in farmhouse) weekends/bank holidays May-Sep 12:00-16:00 and 12:00-14:00 in October.

Check current times on the official site

Getting to Bishop's Waltham Palace and parking

Plan your route

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Directions to Bishop's Waltham Palace View on a map
Parking
Car park on site. Car park accessed off the B2177 just east of the junction with Station Road.
By train
Botley is 3.1 miles away.

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Accessibility

Partly step-free
  • Step-free: in parts of the site.
  • Paths and surfaces: Parts of the grounds uneven and can be muddy in wet weather; museum first floor via a wooden staircase.

Food and facilities

  • Audio guide Yes

What to see at Bishop's Waltham Palace

  • 01

    Great hall

    The main hall, used for feasts and ceremony.

  • 02

    Gatehouse

    The fortified main entrance.

  • 03

    Chapel

    A chapel inside the castle.

  • 04

    Exhibition

    Displays and exhibitions to see.

History of Bishop's Waltham Palace

  1. 904 Edward the Elder gives the manor of Waltham to Bishop Denewulf of Winchester
  2. c.1135 Henry of Blois begins the first palace (probably 1130s)
  3. 1155 Damaged when Henry II orders Bishop Henry's castles destroyed (1155-6)
  4. 1182 Palace hosts a royal council
  5. 1378 William of Wykeham begins extensive remodelling
  6. 1404 William of Wykeham dies at Waltham
  7. 1438 Cardinal Beaufort begins new inner gatehouse and lodgings (1438-43)
  8. 1642 Badly damaged in the Civil War (1642-9) and later abandoned

Photos

Castles near Bishop's Waltham Palace

All 5 castles in Hampshire

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  2. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  3. Wikidata · checked 15 Oct 2026
  4. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

We are independent and not affiliated with English Heritage. Prices and times can change at short notice, so check the operator's site on the day. How we check our data