Family Day Out in Wells
The Bishop’s Palace is the perfect destination for a family day out, located in the heart of Wells, Somerset.
This family-friendly heritage site boasts 14 acres of beautiful RHS partner gardens, an 800-year-old medieval Palace, an on-site café, baby changing facilities, pushchair-friendly paths, and the exciting Dragon’s Lair play area. It’s a place where children can immerse themselves in nature and history while letting their imaginations run wild!
What’s On For Families
February Half Term
Cross our medieval drawbridge and collect a snowdrop trail from the Ticket Office to discover our 14 acres of RHS partner gardens full of winter interest and new growth. Adventure through our gardens, with the moat banks and arboretum currently carpeted with delicate snowdrops.
While you’re here, step inside our 800-year-old Palace and uncover it’s rich history with an engaging multimedia tour. There are tour options for adults and children, making it the perfect day out for the whole family!
On Thursday 19th February, families can drop into our ‘Art Adventurer’ crafting session (10am-4pm), where we’ll be making Snowdrop pop-up cards. No need to book.
Plus, explore the Dragon’s Lair play area (if you dare…) and create magic memories with your family this February Half Term!
Afterwards, warm up in the cosy Bishop’s Table café with a warm meal or hot drink. A children’s menu is available, and the café is dog-friendly.
Multi-media Audio Visual Tours
Multimedia audio-visual tours of the Palace building. Designed to enhance your visit with stories, music and imagery from across the centuries these tours are designed to provide 45 minutes of rich content.
There’s a choice of an adult version or one tailored for families including quizzes, treasure hunts and taking Bishop portraits!
Here’s some feedback we’ve received from one of our younger visitors who loved their multi-media tour family option:
“History is boring; this WAS NOT boring!”
Click here to see a sneak peak at the new multimedia tours
Family-Friendly Days Out in Wells
The Bishop’s Palace ‘Open Day’
Sunday 26th April | 9.30am – 5.30pm
Celebrate a brilliant day out for all ages with the new Bishop’s Palace Open Day!
With FREE entry the Open Day will be your chance to discover this remarkable place, explore the site and enjoy a full programme of family friendly activities in a beautiful historic setting.
On the day, be amongst the first to enjoy the fabulous new “Splash Play Zone” in the Dragon’s Lair play area.
More activities and details will be announced shortly!
History Alive Series
This summer, we welcome re-enactment and living history groups to bring history to life at The Bishop’s Palace. Step back in time as you’re transported to the 17th century, medieval Britain, the 1940s and the Viking Age in our History Alive summer series, perfect for the whole family.
Explore atmospheric encampments, smell the what the cooks are cooking, hear the sounds of the past, and watch as costumed performers bring history vividly to life before your eyes.
History Alive events are included with any standard admission.
Here’s what’s on:
- 2-4 May – Wardour Garrison
- 20 June – Knights’ Tournament
- 1-2 August – Britain at War
- 29-31 August – Bowlore
- 12-13 September – Vikings
Scooters and Bikes
We kindly ask that scooters and bikes are not ridden once you have crossed the drawbridge. This is to ensure the safety of other visitors as they enjoy the peaceful surroundings of The Bishop’s Palace.
Bike racks are available behind the Gatehouse on the right-hand side after you cross the drawbridge. There is also a designated area in front of the wooden hut by the garden entrance gate for leaving scooters and bikes, which is visible from the café.
Dragon’s Lair Family Play Area
Explore this magical discovery area in a far corner of the Gardens!
This popular, interactive discovery area is designed around the themes and stories of the Palace, taking inspiration from well pools and water, trees and history. This outdoor natural activity space will exercise both minds and bodies with a pole jungle, tree pods, a waterwheel and sluice gates.
The only question is – dare you enter The Dragon’s Lair?
Read more about the exciting new developments taking place in the Dragon’s Lair later this year, here.
Image credit: Down Somerset Way
Inside the Palace
Boots and brolly day – has it started raining again? You’ll still find things to do with the kids at The Bishop’s Palace!
Put up your brolly and visit the well pools. See them bubble with all the water passing underneath them. Walk through the medieval Palace, see portraits of past bishops, and find the green dragons. Visit the Bishop’s private chapel, look up, down, around and behind everything. There are many amazing details to spot.
The Bishop’s Table café also has a great range of children’s meals and snacks, along with plenty to keep the grown-ups happy.
Planning Your Visit
Entry for all the above activities is included with any standard admission including Day Tickets, the Annual Pass (which includes 12 months of return visits from the date of your first visit and you’re welcome to use it again on any normal sightseeing day) and Friends of the Palace.
To plan your perfect family-friendly day out in Wells, visit our Tickets and Opening page to view ticket information, parking in Wells, closure dates and more.