The Palace Gardens

The 14 acres of RHS partner gardens at The Bishop’s Palace are among the most special gardens to visit in Somerset.

Hidden within the ancient ramparts and protected by the moat, 14 acres of stunning landscaped gardens await you in the heart of the City of Wells, Somerset. These are among the finest gardens to visit in Somerset, offering beauty, history, and tranquillity.

There is evidence that these gardens existed even before Bishop Jocelyn began work on building the Palace around 1220. Over the years, the gardens have evolved as successive bishops added their legacy. Today, these gardens hold Grade II listed status due to their historic significance, making them a must-see for anyone seeking gardens to visit in Somerset.

In 2016, the Royal Horticultural Society recognised these fine UK gardens by designating them as a “Partner Garden.”

Visit The South Garden

Today, it is hard to imagine that this area was once a formal Dutch-style garden in the 17th century, complete with parterres, topiary, and a distinctive L-shaped canal. Though virtually nothing of this garden remains, its history adds to the charm of these renowned gardens to visit in Somerset.

In contrast, the picturesque and gardenesque style introduced by Bishop Law in the 1820s is still here to experience today. Under the careful guidance of James Cross and inspired by old Victorian prints, the beds and borders around the Great Hall have been beautifully redeveloped to reflect the planting schemes of the era. These efforts ensure that visitors to the gardens can immerse themselves in both history and natural beauty, making them a must-see destination for anyone exploring Somerset.

Characterised by wide-open lawns, specimen trees such as Mulberry, Tulip, and Indian Bean trees, flamboyant climbers, and bold, luxuriant planting of shrubs and perennials, this area offers a tranquil escape. With the stunning backdrop of the Great Hall ruins and surrounded by the historic ramparts, it is the perfect space to wander, explore, and find the ideal spot for a picnic with family, friends, or children.

The East Garden

This is the perfect spot to savour the scent of roses and marvel at the incredible diversity of hardy perennials that bloom from summer well into autumn.

Here, you’ll discover the parterre, which still retains its original urn from the mid-1800s design. The vibrant ‘hot border’ bursts with colour, featuring tall Crocosmia Lucifer and Achillea ‘Cloth of Gold’ at the back, interspersed with blue Echinops and Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen,’ which continue to flower into September. Adding to the charm are Irish Yews, planted as a tribute to the twelve ‘Apostle Yews’ that once stood sentinel in the 19th-century parterre. The dahlia beds also showcase the stunning Bishop Dahlias, a highlight of these historic gardens in Somerset.

In 2019, a new knot garden was created beneath the oriel window, offering a modern interpretation of 17th-century planting styles. This design loosely mirrors the intricate patterns of the period while reflecting the portcullis crest visible in the oriel window above.

Although the grasses used in the design, such as Festuca glauca ‘Intense Blue’ and Libertia (golden grass), wouldn’t have featured historically, they bring an exciting contrast to the garden. Alongside these, traditional and medicinal plants like sage, lavender, and santolina add depth and a nod to the past. This unique addition enhances the appeal of these gardens to visit in Somerset, blending history with contemporary planting techniques.

The Wells Garden

The springs, or flowing wells, from which the City of Wells takes its name, are located within the grounds of The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens. These wells are believed to have had sacred significance for thousands of years, particularly the holy well of St Andrew.

In ancient times, water flowing from the Mendip Hills formed pools that overflowed into a network of streams, spreading across the neighbouring land. Today, these springs feed a series of man-made pools, with the water channeled into the moat via streams and a waterfall. In drier months, it’s possible to see the springs bubbling up at the base of the pools. On calm days, the largest pool reflects the southeast face of the Cathedral, creating a romantic scene that has been captured in sketches and photographs over the last two centuries.

Adjacent to the well pools, you’ll find the ancient Well House, built in 1451, which was part of the water system set up by Bishop Bekynton to provide fresh water to the townsfolk.

Surrounded by lawns, flowers, trees, and shrubs, these pools offer a tranquil space to reflect on the deep history of this site, making it one of the must-see gardens to visit in Somerset.

From the East Garden, pass through the doorway in the walls and cross the moat via the bridge to discover what was once described as “a medow (sic) plot” by the 16th-century traveller John Leland. This area has since been transformed into a peaceful space featuring lawns, flower borders, and shady pools filled with water from the springs. Walk along the boardwalk and peer down into St Andrew’s Well, where you may catch sight of bubbles emerging from the spring at the base of the pool. In this secluded and romantic location, you’ll find shade-loving plants such as astilbes and hostas, creating a tranquil retreat.

Next to the Water Wheel, the plant borders have been influenced by the damp garden at the renowned Beth Chatto Gardens in Essex. Plants like Iris, Rheum, Candelabra Primulas, and Rodgersias thrive here, with their luxurious foliage adding drama and structure to the space.

The long border winding alongside the largest pool was originally designed by Mary Keen. Replanted in spring 2016, much of Mary’s signature style—mixing small and large plants together—has been preserved, while refreshing the border to ensure longer seasonal interest. It is now full of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and roses, making it a beautiful feature of the Palace’s gardens.

The Quiet Garden

Walk behind the high yew hedges beyond the well pools and pass the colour garden, which represents the stained glass window in the Lady Chapel of Wells Cathedral. You will then discover The Garden of Reflection. In contrast to the rest of the Palace gardens, this is a modern and contemporary space. Opened in 2013, it replaced a former derelict area and kitchen gardens, and was the inspiration of Bishop Peter Price and his wife Dee.

Within this peaceful space, you can rest for a moment on the sweeping 40ft stone seat and take in the contemporary, restful planting of grasses and perennials. The tranquil glade of eighty-five silver birches, underplanted with wildflowers, creates a serene atmosphere, while the striking, sculptural poustinia rises 9 feet high.

This is a space designed for quietness and contemplation, with a guiding principle encapsulated in the biblical text: “In returning and rest you shall be saved, and in quietness and trust find strength” (Isaiah 30:15). It’s a beautiful addition to the gardens to visit in Somerset, offering a unique place for reflection.

Silent Space in the Quiet Garden

Silent Space is a registered charity that encourages gardens, open to the public, to set aside a quiet place for people to enjoy the restorative benefits of connecting with nature.

For the last hour of each day we are encouraging visitors to the Palace’s Quiet Garden to turn off their phones, put down their cameras and enjoy the benefits of silence as part of this initiative, starting from 10th October 2022 – World Mental Health Day.

Visit their website HERE

The Community Garden

The Community Garden is a thriving and vibrant area within the Palace gardens.

Originally the Kitchen Garden, which later became fallow, it has since been transformed into a space with vegetable, fruit, and flower beds, as well as a Victorian-style greenhouse. This garden now provides a place for volunteers and community groups to gather, learn new skills, and contribute to the growth of this dynamic area.

Look out for our fresh produce on sale outside the ticket office or being featured on the menu at The Bishop’s Table. In addition to our delicious vegetables and fruit, we also grow beautiful flowers, which are used for displays throughout the Palace and sold as bunches in the shop. Flowers are typically available from June to late October.

If you’re interested in volunteering in the garden or bringing a community group to experience this vibrant space, please contact James Cross at 01749 988111.

Arboretum

The Arboretum, designed by Sir Harold Hillier for Bishop Bickersteth, was created in 1977 to commemorate HM The Queen’s 25th Jubilee, replacing part of the old kitchen gardens. This tranquil area is home to many fine trees, including the highly scented weeping silver lime (Tilia Petiolaris), the foxglove tree (Paulownia Tomentosa), hop hornbeam (Ostrya Carpinifolia), and Persian Ironwood (Parrotia Persica).

Since 2004, the Arboretum has been managed with a focus on wildlife and the development of wildflowers. From early February, a vibrant display of snowdrops, primroses, bluebells, violets, cow parsley, and many other wildflowers—including Bee and Pyramid orchids—graces the landscape.

This is a wonderful place for both children and adults to explore, picnic, and play. The Dragon’s Lair is an interactive play space designed for primary and pre-primary aged children, making it a perfect addition to these gardens to visit in Somerset.