Monument record NKT 052 - Remains of 17th century palace, Newmarket

2011: Geophysical survey was carried out to located the remains of the 17th century palace and associated structures. However, the ground penetrating radar survey was distorted by modern services and utilites. There are poorly defined reflectors which are probably the demolished remnants of the original palace. Very strong responses in the north-west corner of the area coincided with a continuation of the buildings along the norther side of the survey, which are shown as part of the palace complex on earlier plans. It seems likely that this disturbance is an indication of demolition material, potentially in-filling a cellar (S1).

2011: Evaluation and assessment by Time Team who investigated King Charles II's Royal Palace and racing stables. The current Palace House Mansion and entrance steps are Grade II* listed (See NKT 005) and the Palace House Stables are Grade II (see NKT 035). The original Palace was thought to have been constructed in 1671 by Charles II, although James I appears to have built a Palace within the near vicinity in 1608 (the exact location is now lost), and a second residence in 1614. Time Team's excavations found that the foundations of the Palace were preserved, and a small proportion, parts of three walls, were recorded in Trench 2, although heavily truncated by later services. The position of the survivng walls suggests that it was part of the domestic area, probably a kitchen, of the Palace, as defined on a plan from 1816 which corresponds exactly to the earlier 1740s map. One of the walls could represent the footings for a fireplace located within the kitchen (S2).