Family Days Out in Wells, Somerset
The Bishop’s Palace is the perfect destination for a family day out, located in the heart of Wells.
Explore 14 acres of RHS partner gardens, discover an 800-year-old medieval Palace, splash around in the Dragon’s Lair Splash Play Zone, enjoy family trails, outdoor adventures and one of Somerset’s best family attractions.
Why families love visiting
✔ Dragon’s Lair play area
✔ Splash Play Zone
✔ Family trails
✔ Pushchair friendly
✔ Baby changing
✔ Family-friendly café
✔ 14 acres of gardens
✔ Indoor activities if it rains
✔ Multimedia Tours
✔ Cabinet of Curiosity
What’s on this summer?
School Summer Holidays
Enjoy:
🔍 Family Trails
💦 Splash Play Zone
🌱 Nature Ninjas Crafting
❓ Cabinet of Curiosity
🐺 The Big Bad Wolf theatre show
… and thanks to the UK Government’s Summer Savings Scheme, enjoy:
🍽️ Reduced-price children’s meals in the café
🎟️ Discounted admission on Day Tickets and Late Summer Openings
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 23 July – 2 Sept | Family Trail |
| 23 July | Nature Ninjas: Clay Bugs Crafting |
| 24 July | Outdoor Theatre: The Big Bad Wolf |
| 30 July | Nature Ninjas: Nature Medallions |
| 13 Aug | Outdoor Theatre: King Arthur & the Holy Fail |
| 20 Aug | Nature Ninjas: Potato Printing |
Family attractions
The Dragon’s Lair and Splash Play Zone
Discover the Dragon’s Lair and Splash Play Zone, our magical outdoor play area inspired by the legends, history and water of The Bishop’s Palace.
Little ones can uncover the legend of Bishop Jocelin, who slayed the fearsome dragon that once terrorised the people of Wells. Complete with a carved dragon’s head, climbing frames, an interactive water pump and more, the Dragon’s Lair is the perfect place for young imaginations to run wild.
New for 2026, the Splash Play Zone takes inspiration from the Palace’s historic springs, the very well pools that gave the city of Wells its name. Children can cool off with a magical raining water tree, babbling boulders, gentle water jets and a shallow paddling area, all surrounded by beautiful planting and abundant wildlife.
Better still, the splash features are supplied using natural spring water from the Palace’s well pools, helping us care for both our heritage and the environment.
The only question is… dare you enter the Dragon’s Lair?
The Cabinet of Curiosity and Table of Games
Explore our Cabinet of Curiosity, inspired by the fascinating collections that became popular across Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Filled with intriguing objects and hidden stories, our imagined cabinets reveal the lives of Bishop Wynne Willson and his wife, Lillian.
Little explorers can then head to the Table of Games, where families can enjoy traditional games from the 1930s, including the Palace’s very own version of Snakes & Ladders, Swans & Dragons!
Multimedia Tours
Explore the Palace together with our interactive family multimedia tour featuring quizzes, treasure hunts and fun challenges for younger visitors.
Here’s what a young visitor had to say about it:
“History is boring… this WAS NOT boring!”
Rainy day activities
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.
History Alive re-enactment 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:
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.
Family facilities
- Pushchair friendly
- Baby changing
- Family-friendly café
- Toilets
- Picnic areas
- Bike and scooter parking
- 2 minute walk from Wells Market Place