The Old Palace was originally the home of Bishops of Ely before Henry VIII took it during the dissolution and used it as a royal residence. The Old Palace is mostly known for Elizabeth I’s childhood home before she became Queen. It was while she was at Hatfield when she learned the news of her accession due to the death of her half-sister, Mary. The oak tree that Elizabeth sat under when she heard the news is no longer there, but Elizabeth II planted a new tree there in its place.

In the Great Hall in the Old Palace is where Elizabeth held her first council in November 1558, and is now used for Renaissance banquets.

Although most of the new house is filled with Jacobean furniture and paintings, many Tudor items are on display. Besides Tudor paintings, Elizabeth I’s stockings, hats and gloves can be seen there. There are also a few Tudor letters, such as Elizabeth ’s letter proclaiming her innocence in the Thomas Seymour scandal and Henry VIII’s letter talking about the ugliness of his 5th wife, Anne of Cleves.