The Dragon's Lair Play Area
Let your imagination run wild at The Bishop’s Palace, one of the best things to do near me with kids in Somerset!
Cross the Drawbridge and ask on entry for a special map, which you can use to explore the gardens and look for the Dragon’s Lair Play Area.
Legend has it that during the 13th century, Somerset was terrorised by a frightful dragon who liked to eat milkmaids and other unsuspecting villagers. Bishop Jocelyn, who built The Bishop’s Palace, bravely ventured out to kill the dragon. After a mighty battle, as the dragon breathed its dying breath, it cast an eternal curse on the villagers: that if they ever forgot about it, the creature would return every 50 years…
This popular, interactive discovery area is designed around the themes and stories of the Palace.
Taking inspiration from Dragon’s Wings, Well Pools & Water, Trees and History, this outdoor natural activity space will exercise both minds and bodies with a pole jungle, a waterwheel and sluice gates.
The only question is – dare you enter The Dragon’s Lair?
Coming Soon: Splash Play Zone!
Our popular Dragon’s Lair play area is due to receive a boost following the planning approval of a magical, water-themed Splash Play Zone.
The existing Dragon’s Lair Play Area already provides a creative space for children and families to enjoy outdoor play within our historic grounds. Drawing inspiration from local folklore, it features play areas and equipment that encourage imaginative and active play in a natural environment, including a carved dragon, a ‘dragon’s wings’ climbing structure, a waterwheel and a series of structural tree pods.
The new Splash Play installation now aims to develop further on the unique stories of the Palace, with water at its heart. The area will now be enhanced by a magical raining water tree, generating a light spray of water, a living canopy of plants, babbling boulders which will spray small jets of water, and a shallow paddling pool. A bat house and bird box will also be added to the area to encourage biodiversity.
The Palace Trust will also ensure that they follow their environmental objectives with the installation of a new water tank, pump and pipework, which will mean that spring water from the well pools will be used to supply the splash park.