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Friends of Woking Palace |
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A Walk round the Palace site part two |
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Returning once more to the path you will see the only above ground remnants of the once grand old Palace. The stone built building on the left is the Barrel Vault constructed of sarsen stone, not from Stonehenge but probably from Chobham, where you will find old pieces of that stone lying around. Much of the facing has fallen away and the visible flint represents the original infilling. The chalk facing to the doorway has fallen away but this is to be replaced.
As you enter the Vault, note the graffiti on the left hand side of the doorway. The Vault is the older of the two standing buildings, probably 14th century. On your right is a bolt hole by a doorway which would have provided access to the King’s Hall next door and further along the wall is evidence of a fireplace, the remains of the stack can be seen outside. The roof has brick vaulting interspersed with chalk ribs now much worn.
It is sometimes suggested that the Vault was a chapel but this cannot be so, as the altar would have been at the east end and there is a door there. However, since most, if not all, of the buildings would have been two storied, the room above could have been a chapel with access from the upper floor of the King’s Hall.
Next to the vault is the brick King’s Hall built in 1508 in the reign of Henry VII. The Hall is not on the same alignment as the Vault and the Great Hall which probably means that the Hall replaced an earlier building on the site. In addition to having been the King’s area of the Palace, the Hall has enjoyed a chequered history since the abandonment of the Palace in the 1620’s. Within living memory the Hall was used as a barn, the original Hall having been converted to this use and form, following the turning over of the Park surrounding the Palace to agricultural use. Behind the King’s Hall and Vault is an area of grassland called the King’s Garden.
Passing through the Hall a path leads to the fenced Copse. Go through the gate and notice the truncated middle arm of the Moat. This arm would have originally continued past the back of the King’s Hall and Vault to the river. After many years of neglect the coppice is being restored to its original use and a coppicing regime is to be established. Proceeding along the path made of chippings from felled trees you pass one small pond and two large fishponds. Two whole vehicles were removed from the small pond when it was cleared. The path eventually leads to a small gate through which you pass in order to reach the King’s Garden once more.
In spring time the Copse contains what is probably the finest display of wild daffodils in the County. This display eventually gives way to a splendid swath of bluebells
The moat on this side has been filled in but the water would have flowed out between the two oak trees into the river. The moat is thought to have been supplied from a reservoir which filled the depressed area on your right just outside the Palace site at its West end.
You complete your walk by way of the path back through the King’s Hall.
As you return to Old Woking, note the house on the left at the end of Carters Lane where it meets Old Woking Road. This is Old House originally a farmhouse and built of Tudor style two inch bricks probably from the Palace site.
© Phillip Arnold April 2006
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To contact us:email: askus at woking-palace.org |
Registered Charity No.1100852Copyright © 2008 Friends of Woking Palace
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