Ford Palace

Ford Palace is the site of an episcopal residence in Hoath, Kent, with surviving fragments of a medieval gatehouse and materials reused in a brick farmhouse built in the 1700s. The remaining traces are scattered across what is now private land.

Archbishop John Morton built a five-story brick tower between 1486 and 1500 that served as a residence for Canterbury archbishops. The complex was later abandoned and its structures were gradually dismantled or absorbed into other buildings.

The palace was a meeting place where powerful church and royal figures gathered. In 1544, King Henry VIII visited the site, showing how important it was to the church during a time of great change.

Access to the ruins is restricted because the site is private property and visitors must request permission from the landowners. It is advisable to contact the property owners in advance to arrange a visit.

The estate once covered about 160 acres and included farm buildings and agricultural land alongside the main residence. Many of these structures were removed in 1964, leaving only scattered remnants of the original complex today.

Location: Hoath

GPS coordinates: 51.34780,1.16710

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:03