(55) Bishop’s Gate Undercroft
Updated 05/04/2020
BISHOP’S GATE, THE CLOSE
The gate was built by Bishop Alnwick in about 1436 of flint and stone. It is a Grade 1 listed building and is also scheduled as an Ancient Monument.
Beneath the gatehouse there is a brick built pointed barrel-vault undercroft with a stone doorway, now blocked off, but which probably contained a staircase that led to the rooms above.
Above it is what appears to be a coal chute. The lower part of the walls and the end walls are of flint. The walls and vaulting were lime washed and a lot of this still remains.
It is not known what the original purpose of the undercroft was, though it was at one time used as the Bishop’s prison and there are holes in the wall to which chains were once attached.
It is not currently in use and is not open to the public. Access is from the garden via a flight of steps in the south wall.
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