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Palace House is a designated grade
II* listed building and is the surviving pavilion of a royal palace
built by Charles II in the late 17th century. This building was
owned by the  Royal
Family until 1855.
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Forest Heath District Council carried out a major two year restoration
project in July 1996. To restore the vaulting in the main ground
floor rooms, craftsmen, carpenters and bricklayers researched and
revived old skills and techniques. A number of original doorways
have been uncovered and, late in its restoration one of the real
treasures of the building was discovered by accident. Hidden in
the first floor brick wall, workmen found what looked like an old
mirror. Further investigation revealed a window, complete with glass.
The solid framed window with its sash and counter-balance mechanism
was among the first, if not the first, of its type to be used in
this country when the Palace was completed in 1671.
The Home of Horseracing Trust plan to restore the Stable Yards,
to house a relocated and enhanced National Horseracing Museum and
the Retraining of Racehorses Charity.
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