History
Old Palace
Croydon has been an important town in the lives of the Archbishops of Canterbury, since, between 1079 and 1758, 51 Archbishops resided from time to time at the ecclesiastical palace, Old Palace in Central Croydon.
By the early 18th Century a report commented on the bad condition of the Palace and Archbishop Wake strengthened the Banqueting Hall roof. Even so, after 1758 there was no further active residence and in 1780 an act of parliament was obtained to sell the ancient summer residence and early manor house of the Archbishops, it being 'so low and unwholesome a situation'!
As a replacement that would be more fitting for the Archbishops, they looked a few miles south of Croydon and in 1808 acquired Addington Manor, changing the house name from Addington Place to Addington Palace.
For further information about Old Palace and open days during the year visit the Friends of Old Palace website.