Bishopthorpe Palace

Bishopthorpe Palace stands beside the River Ouse, three miles south of York in North Yorkshire. It has served as the official residence of the Archbishop of York since the 13th century. The site began as a manor house purchased by Archbishop Walter de Gray in 1226. A chapel and new manor house followed in 1241. Later additions include a red-brick north wing from the 15th century and a gatehouse built in 1765. The palace’s long history is visible in its Grade I-listed buildings. A water tower once drew drinking water from a well before being demolished in 1946. Thomas Atkinson remodelled the palace between 1763 and 1769. The grounds contain a gatehouse, stables, a brewhouse and a brewster’s cottage. Archbishop John Sentamu chose not to live there during early renovations. Visitors find a wooded, rural setting with historic buildings grouped around the river. The gatehouse and remaining foundations of the water tower mark key moments in the palace’s past. The brewhouse and cottage recall the estate’s working life. The chapel and manor house reflect the 13th-century origins. The palace remains a quiet riverside retreat linked to York Minster’s long tradition.