Lydstep Old Palace

In the community of Manorbier.
In the historic county of Pembrokeshire (Modern authority of Pembrokeshire, preserved county of Dyfed).

Associated with both Bishop Gower, a notorious builder, and with Archol Llawhir, king of Dyfed. The building, presumably a residence, is thought to be C14-C15. Lydstep Palace is a late medieval, masonry, first-floor hall house in the 'Pembrokeshire tradition', with a vaulted undercroft. It is now roofless and partially ruinous, but has been the subject of a long-term programme of remedial works. Lydstep Palace appears to have had a jurisdictional role, as a court of the Manor of Manorbier and Penally, as well as a domestic function. During the medieval period, it appears that the first floor comprised one large chamber, subdivided into smaller spaces by at least one open arch. Post-medieval alterations included the division of the first floor into three rooms. Later occupation, confined to two of these rooms on the first floor, continued into the early C20 and was associated with a bread-oven in the ruined room. Hull calls this a 'fortified dwelling' but mentions nothing which could be considered a fortification.

This site has been described as a;
Fortified Manor House.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Questionable.
Major remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.
This site is a Not known if listed listed building protected by law*.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SS08639836

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*The listed building may no be the actual medieval building, but a building on the site of, or incorporating fragments of, the described site.