The Right Reverend Philip Mountstephen has moved out of Wolvesey Palace, which has housed the cathedral city’s bishop since at least the 10th century, due to the ongoing refurbishments aiming to make the building more eco-friendly.
Now Rachel Wragg, the curator who set up Winchester College’s treasury collections, has questioned the church commissioners’ approach to the management of the grade-I-listed landmark.
She said: “With regards to Wolvesey Palace, it is an important iconic asset to the city whose history and importance are inextricably linked to that of the church, its bishops and its cathedral since Saxon times.
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“It is a shame that there is no public access at present. I’m pleased that the church commissioners have no plans to sell it, but they will have to find a way to finance its upkeep without it becoming a significant drain on ecclesiastic resources.
“I would suggest that a possible answer might be to do the same as the church commissioners have done with the Bishop’s Palace at Wells. This is managed by the Palace Trust and opened to the public for managed events. The gardens are open and accessible throughout the year and the palace is registered for weddings and as a location for filming.
“This enables the church to provide public access which raises funds but retains use of the building for church business when required.”
Recently, the church commissioners (the Church of England’s property arm) installed the current bishop in a house in Fulflood, which reportedly costs £1.2m.
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The palace, known for its 15th-century chapel and 2.5-acre historic walled garden, remains shut. Diocesan staff, who had offices in the palace, have moved to Old Alresford Place, a former rectory turned retreat centre.
The original castle, built by Henry of Blois in the 12th century, is now a ruin. In 1684, George Morley commissioned the current Baroque-style palace, of which only the west wing survives, including the chapel.
The huge renovation could take two years to complete, and Alistair Hammond, speaking on behalf of the church commissioners, declined to say how much it would cost, calling it a “private matter” not involving public money.
He said: “We have clear obligations as custodians of this historic property to maintain it to ensure it is looked after for the good of the nation and that it remains accessible for future
“Wolvesey has been the home of the Bishop of Winchester for centuries, and we honour that tradition. Aside from its use as the bishop’s residence, it is also a wonderful historic building that we are looking after for future generations – and a place of hospitality.”