Otford Castle, Medieval palace ruins in Otford, England
Otford Castle is a medieval palace in England with ruins including a northwest tower, gatehouse section, and northern range that once connected to the outer court. These remains show the original layout and give visitors a sense of the complex's former scale.
The palace was built in 1514 by Archbishop William Warham as an impressive estate rivaling Hampton Court Palace in scale. Its construction marked a significant moment in the development of archiepiscopal residences in England.
The palace served as a residence for archbishops of Canterbury and hosted royal visits, reflecting its importance in medieval power structures. Visitors can still see how the layout and architecture reveal the status and function this place once held.
The site is a scheduled monument managed by the Archbishop's Palace Conservation Trust, which oversees its preservation. Visitors should expect to see only ruins, so sturdy footwear and caution on uneven ground are advisable.
Archaeological excavations at the grounds revealed a Chi Rho monogram on Roman wall plaster, indicating Christian worship during Roman times. This discovery connects the site's history to a much earlier period and shows the long continuity at this location.
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