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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · 19h

From the Sevenoaks Chronicle, 30th October 2025, page 10

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · 2d

The temporary floor in Otford Palace Tower -
The archaeologists have left, and the temporary floor in the Tower has been re-laid in time for Otford Palace to be turned into Santa’s Winter Palace. Thanks for the hard work go to Stewart and Jack Baird, and to Jamie Sutherland

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · 19d

Such a lovely morning in the Palace Heritage Orchard!

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · 19d

The team from Archaeology SouthEast completed their investigation of the floor in the North West Tower - The finds were bagged for analysis & careful drawings were made of the excavations.
To hear about their findings, come to the talk on Wednesday 12th November in the Otford Village Memorial Hall.

Reposted by Otford Palace

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · 27d

Save the date: 350 years of mud and cow dung
A date for your calendar:

A joint meeting of the APCT and ODHS on Wednesday 12th November at 19:30h in the Club Room of the Otford Village Memorial hall.

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · 27d

Save the date: 350 years of mud and cow dung
A date for your calendar:

A joint meeting of the APCT and ODHS on Wednesday 12th November at 19:30h in the Club Room of the Otford Village Memorial hall.

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Reposted by Otford Palace

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Aug 14

We have two new worksheet resources on our website under 'Darent History Takeaway' connecting Otford Palace with wider national History. Story, Source, Scholarship worksheets aimed at Key Stage 3-4, editable with PowerPoint
otfordpalace.org/darent-histo...

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Aug 31

Archaeology SouthEast are due to start their investigation of the ground floor of Otford Palace Tower. Before the architects can design the permanent floor, we need to know what is beneath 350yrs of mud & cow dung! In preparation, Stewart & James Baird have removed the temporary floor - thank you!

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Aug 14

We have two new worksheet resources on our website under 'Darent History Takeaway' connecting Otford Palace with wider national History. Story, Source, Scholarship worksheets aimed at Key Stage 3-4, editable with PowerPoint
otfordpalace.org/darent-histo...

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Jul 29

The Tower is again transformed into a grotto for Father Christmas. We are also looking to find funds for an exciting new project that will enable visitors to explore the Tudor Palace 2/2

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Jul 29

We have been busy revising our plans for the restoration work & seeking funding to carry them out. The next stage is to commission an archaeological investigation of the floor in the Tower, to find out what may lie beneath 350 years of mud & cow dung! It should take place later this year 1/2

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Jul 2

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was #OnThisDay 1489. He gained possession of Otford Palace upon his succession to the role of Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst at the Palace, Cranmer began writing his Book of Common Prayer. Henry VIII took possession of Otford Palace from Cranmer in 1537 #Kent #Tudor

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Jun 11

The Otford & District Historical Society is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year - an exhibition to mark the occasion will be held in the Palace Tower. Free entry, open from 11:30-16:00 on 21st & 22nd June. See the exhibits showing Otford over the past 75 years & the inside of the Palace Tower

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Jun 11

The Otford & District Historical Society is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year - an exhibition to mark the occasion will be held in the Palace Tower. Free entry, open from 11:30-16:00 on 21st & 22nd June. See the exhibits showing Otford over the past 75 years & the inside of the Palace Tower

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · May 23

Dr Anne Sassin, lead archaeologist said “Our aisled hall is definitely medieval, judging from the pottery constructed likely c1250-1350.
You can read more about this exciting discovery on our website at otfordpalace.org/2023/04/22/t... & a full report on the research will be published in due course.

View of an archeological trench showing pre Tudor stonework and tiles

Reposted by Otford Palace

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · May 22

Dr Anne Sassin, lead archaeologist said “Our aisled hall is definitely medieval, judging from the pottery constructed likely c1250-1350.
You can read more about this exciting discovery on our website at otfordpalace.org/2023/04/22/t... & a full report on the research will be published in due course.

The pre-Tudor aisled building – Archbishop's Palace Conservation Trust

otfordpalace.org

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Reposted by Otford Palace

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · May 22

The Aisled Barn at Otford Palace

Those who came to the Otford Palace May Day celebrations on 27th April, had the opportunity to see the excavation on the pre-Tudor aisled building discovered in the Great Inner Court of the Tudor Palace. 1/2

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · May 22

Dr Anne Sassin, lead archaeologist said “Our aisled hall is definitely medieval, judging from the pottery constructed likely c1250-1350.
You can read more about this exciting discovery on our website at otfordpalace.org/2023/04/22/t... & a full report on the research will be published in due course.

The pre-Tudor aisled building – Archbishop's Palace Conservation Trust

otfordpalace.org

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · May 22

The Aisled Barn at Otford Palace

Those who came to the Otford Palace May Day celebrations on 27th April, had the opportunity to see the excavation on the pre-Tudor aisled building discovered in the Great Inner Court of the Tudor Palace. 1/2

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · May 18

A very beautiful May Day three weeks ago

A remaining tower from the Tudor Archbishop's Palace stands against a sunny blue sky

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Apr 26

Tomorrow!

Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Apr 17

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Mar 29

The annual May Day celebrations on Otford Palace Field are on Sunday 27th April & include the official opening of the heritage orchard, Palace & Orchard tours, craft stalls, food & drink, live music & DANCING AROUND THE MAYPOLE. Festivities start at 10am. Free Entry - donations most welcome #Kent

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Apr 13

For the trench between the Gatehouse and the Tower we had a team of three archaeologists – two volunteers Geoff Burr and Phil Coles led by Trustee Charles Shee. The contractors unearthed pottery sherds, ceramic building materials (brick and tile) & a quantity of 20th century scrap metal 2/2

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Otford Palace @otfordpalace.bsky.social · Apr 13

Power to the Tower: Archaeological watching brief

Before you excavate on a scheduled monument, you need to obtain Consent from Historic England. One condition is that you have a ‘watching archaeological brief’ – archaeologists who examine the material that is dug out & check for important finds 1/2

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