The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SANCTUM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
A
N
C
T
U
M
More clues leading to the result SANCTUM
- Short puzzle engaging African party in quiet room?
- Silent husband leaves to tour African party’s retreat
- Insect seen round about, invading the whole room
- Private room in hospital used by leader of city corporation
- Retreat from problem — can new Head of Technology crack it?
- Private study
- A holy place can and must reform
- Knight in Muscat going round sacred place
- Study reportedly brought down corporation
- Doctor man’s cut in private room
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "sacred place" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sacred place = sanctum.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SANCTUM mean?
SANCTUM noun- A place set apart, as with a sanctum sanctorum; a sacred or private place; a private retreat or workroom.