Today, all that remains of Otford Palace is the ruins of an old tower – but it was once one of Europe’s grandest palaces and played host to numerous pivotal events during Henry VIII’s reign
When you think of Otford, the tranquil River Darent, magnificent historical buildings and awe-inspiring views of the North Downs likely come to mind. But this charming village in west Kent also houses a lesser-known Tudor treasure – Otford Palace.
Once one of the most grandiose palaces in Europe, it was the backdrop for several key events during the turbulent reign of Henry VIII.
Nowadays, all that’s left are the ruins of the old tower, standing just under 12 metres tall, which can still be visited. The palace, situated near Sevenoaks, covers roughly two and a half acres and is located on a combination of council-owned and private land.
Intriguingly, some of the palace’s external stone walls and Tudor brickwork can still be spotted in the front and back gardens of neighbouring homes, according to Historic England. The palace first appeared in the Doomsday Book survey of 1086, where it was valued at £60.
Over the following four centuries, the original manor house underwent significant expansion, with its most notable transformation taking place under William Warham in 1514. He completely revamped Otford Palace, demolishing much of the existing structure to erect a new, lavish palace fit for a king, reports Kent Live.
It’s thought that some inspiration was taken from the nearby Lullingstone Castle, built earlier in 1497. Warham’s work had a profound effect on Tudor architecture, and its influence can still be seen today in structures like Hampton Court.
Historical documents indicate that the total cost of rebuilding Otford Palace surpassed £33,000. In today’s money, this would be a whopping £36million.
The newly constructed palace, which incorporated concepts and designs from Renaissance Europe, was designed on such an impressive scale that it competed with some of the nation’s largest stately homes.
With more than 15,000 square feet, it covered an estate larger than the moated area of Eltham Palace.
In 1519, King Henry VIII and his court lodged at Otford Palace and took pleasure in hunting in the extensive Deer Park attached to the palace grounds.
It is thought that the king had a particular fondness for the place, as the following year he and Catherine of Aragon, along with the Royal court, stayed there again on their way to France for the meeting between Henry and Francis, King of France, at the Field of Gold.
Between 1532 and 1533, Princess Mary, the future Queen of England, used the palace as a sanctuary from the political and religious turmoil that was engulfing England following the dissolution of her mother’s marriage to Henry.
By 1537, the palace had finally become a Royal property after centuries of being part of the chain of houses owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury.
This is how it earned its nickname, Archbishop’s Palace.
However, by the time of Elizabeth I’s reign, the Crown had lost interest in the site and its gradual decline began.
Sevenoaks Rural District Council, the forerunner to the current district council, took over the remnants of Otford Palace in the 1950s. Today, it stands as the only Grade I listed building under the district council’s stewardship.
Despite being reduced to the ruins of an old tower, this historic site, now designated as a scheduled ancient monument, is accessible via a nearby footpath.
The palace is now owned by a trust, saving it from potential conversion into a housing development.
The trust has plans to make the site “self sustaining,” by converting it into an educational hub and utilising two floors of the tower for exhibitions and meetings.
Its main source of income will be its role as a tourist hotspot, charging visitors for entry to the tower and arranging school visits.
Nick Rushby, 71, the trust’s secretary from The Green, Otford, previously told KentLive: “It’s an iconic building. About 500 years ago, it was slightly larger than Hampton Court. It’s a site of recognised historic interest. And it’s one of the things that people associate with Otford.”
Mr Rushby noted that the tower had been exposed to the elements “for over a hundred years” before a project led by Sevenoaks District Council in 2015, which saw £131,000 spent on renovations and protective measures.
