Church of England plans to sell off its palaces
By Jonathan Wynne-Jones
24/02/2008

Resplendent with moats, gatehouses and banqueting halls, bishops' palaces are among some of the grandest buildings in the country.

Now, however, the historic homes, which have belonged to the Church of England for centuries, could be sold off in a bid to raise money for cash-strapped parishes.

A confidential internal review is examining whether the diocesan bishops' houses, nine of which are palaces, are appropriate for the Church to keep. The bishops' residences are worth about £120 million, but cost up to £9 million each year to maintain. the rest image