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Big Royal Dig

What is a Palace?

Other major palaces (past and present)
England

Addington Palace A residence of six former Archbishops of Canterbury, the 18th-century Addington Palace is now privately owned.

Bishopthorpe Palace The official home of the Archbishop of York.

Bishop's Waltham Palace A former residence of the bishops of Winchester, much of what remains today is the work of William Wykeham, who was bishop from 1367.

Blenheim Palace Home of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill

Eltham Palace A royal residence during the 14-16th centuries. The current art deco house, owned by English Heritage, incorporates Edward IV's great hall.

Fishbourne Roman Palace One of the greatest Roman buildings in Britain, Fishbourne Roman Palace was discovered by accident when a new water main was being laid in 1960. It is now open to the public.

Lambeth Palace The official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Lincoln medieval bishops' palace Once one of the grandest buildings in Britain, the remains of the medieval bishops' palace are adjacent to Lincoln cathedral.

Winchester Palace The former London residence of the bishops of Winchester. Mostly destroyed by a 19th-century fire and subsequent redevelopment, its Rose Window still stands on the south bank of the Thames.

Wolvesey Castle (Old Bishop's Palace) Begun as a 12th-century Norman keep and bailey castle, the palace was the chief residence of the Bishops of Winchester. Situated next to Winchester cathedral, its extensive ruins reflect their importance and wealth.

Scotland

Holyrood House
A view of Holyrood House
Photo: Buckingham Palace Press
Office
Dalkeith Palace The former home of the Duke of Buccleuchs, who now lease it to the University of Wisconsin.

Falkland Palace A former Scottish royal palace, now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Hamilton Palace Demolished in 1921, Hamilton Palace was the residence of the Dukes of Hamilton.

Holyroodhouse Palace A royal palace since the 16th century and now the official residence of the Queen in Edinburgh.

Linlithgow Palace Now owned by Historic Scotland, the ruins of this former royal palace are now open to the public.

Scone Palace The one-time site where the monarchs of Scotland were crowned, on the Stone of Destiny, the present building dates from 1808 and is home to the Earls of Mansfield.

Spynie Palace For five centuries before 1688, when the last bishop was removed, Spynie Palace was home to the Bishops of Moray.


The Big Royal Dig review. Channel 4, 31 Dec 7.00pm
Read the update here
Big Royal Dig was first shown on Channel 4 and More4 in August 2006
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