lyddington bede house

We were recommended to visit by the staff at the nearby (excellent) Old White Hart, and were pleased we took the time to do so. It isn't very large, but despite being in use until the 1930's as an almshouse, still retains many features from it's 16th century origins as part of the bishop of Lincoln's palace.

Former bishop's palace but sold off under Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries and then a house for the poor.Well worth a visit and its size gives you a realistic feel for what life was like in the 16th century onwards.Lovely construction

faboulous alms house and former bishops palace converted to a museum. it is such a beautiful building and the supporting exhibits bring the history of the area to life

This place is worth visiting in order to see the Great Chamber with it's ornate cornice, but the overall impression here was one of neglect. You are warned not to use the left handrail as you go up the stone stairs, only to use the right handrail. Then when you come down the step from the Bishop's dressing room there is a big chunk worn out of the wooden step, and as it is not particularly well lit there is definitely a possibility of somebody hurting themselves due to a trip hazard. When you are up in the loft there are areas where they appear to have patched up holes in the floor with unsecured thin plywood, which bounces up and down disconcertingly when you tread on it. Overall we didn't feel particularly safe here. With better lighting the Great Chamber could certainly look a whole lot better.Only one room has been furnished and that provides a little interesting background, you press a button to hear a recorded message from a little girl that came to visit the underprivileged people here in a previous century. It took us about a quarter of an hour to see the whole place, and if I had paid to gain access I would probably have been less than impressed. We only saw one member of staff and she didn't seem to have the cheerfulness that most English Heritage staff seem to have. You could buy soft drinks or ice cream in the shop, but again there were no traditional catering facilities, the same as at Kirby Hall nearby.When I think of a workhouse I tend to think of a big building with dozens of people living in it, but this is not like that. They had twelve men housed in small “cells” downstairs and two women housed in slightly larger rooms upstairs. We walked through the walled “orchard” next to the bede house, but all that appears to remain is one apple tree and a strange little building in the far corner which is locked up and has no explanation of what it was there for in the first place.When we were travelling here our satnav tried to take us to Blue Coat Lane but we were unable to enter the bede house that way, actually you need to turn into Church Lane and park just before the church, then you gain access to the bede house via the gate of the church. We did a joint visit to Kirby Hall and Lyddington Bede House in the same afternoon, but weren't overly impessed with either of them, although we certainly felt safer at Kirby Hall than we did at Lyddington, and the staff were also more fun at Kirby Hall.

Fascinating glimpse of history of an alm's (bedesmen's) house with great architecture. We particularly enjoyed the upper floors with their history.

This building was originally part of the Bishop's Palace and was later turned into an almshouse, which was in use until 1930. There is information in most of the rooms which tell you about the original use of the building and then how the later 'bedesmen' were housed. There are 2 audio information points which also throw light on the life of the residents. One of the rooms has been recreated as it may have been in Victorian times, the other rooms are bare.

An unusual find and in an incredibly well preserved condition for its age. . Set in the very pretty village of Lyddington.

Lovely little village. House is in the grounds of church. No audio guide and minimal information. Am an EH member but would have asked for a refund if I had paid.

There is more to see than you might expect in this delightful historic building. Once the wing of a palace used by successive Bishops of Lincoln when they travelled through their diocese, it was converted into an almshouse early in the 17th century to provide accommodation for 12 men and two women. On the ground floor there is little to see other than a series of small, empty, low-ceilinged rooms. The loftier first-floor rooms include a communal hall and the women’s rooms, one of which has been furnished as it would have been when occupied. The top floor’s main interest is the roof timbers. The Bede House lies in the shadow of Lyddington’s imposing Church of St Andrew, which is also worth a visit.

We found this place by chance, and it is worth seeing. We got in for free as members of English Heritage: otherwise we may not have bothered. The building is attractive, very well preserved and interesting, although slightly lacking in information as you go around. The solitary staff member was exceptionally friendly and helpful. There is quite a lot to see there, and our five-year-old daughter liked it a lot, particularly the room where Henry VIII once stayed. To be honest, the church which shares the grounds was even better, worth the visit alone, and the village is very picturesque.

Suggested by another EH property staff as in the area. Situated in great village next to a church. Very picturesque views. Was quite a small property with a handful of rooms to look around. Garden nice enough. Didn't take long to look around. Not really history buffs but im sure there is a interesting history to it.No facilities to speak of but to be expected.Didnt pay any entrance fee as EH members so couldnt comment entrance fee value for money.Was nice as a passing interest if in the area but wouldnt make a special trip to visit.

Visited with friends and thought that the building was very interesting with a long history. But, as with most English Heritage properties, the interior looks so bare. They realy need to add some more to make it of interest to the younger generation.

Lovely little village. In a lovely setting. Short pleasant walk down to building, not very big but very interesting. Worth a visit if in area. Not good for wheelchair users. Church at the back lovely. Won't take you long to visit.

Well worth a look round as part of your wander and gawp around the beautiful well looked after village!

An interesting place to stop off for an hour or so. An attractive domestic building in a handsome warm stone.