Lectures and Workshops

Our Palace Lectures, a series of talks held year-round, cover a wide array of intriguing topics. Delivered by historians, gardeners, and subject experts, these events offer a unique opportunity to learn and be inspired in the heart of Wells, Somerset.

Walk and Talk – Winter Gardening and Snowdrops

• Thursday, 12th & Wednesday 18th February 2026 | 10am – 1pm

As part of the Shepton Snowdrops Festival and the Great Snowdrop Gardens Trail, join Head Gardener James Cross for a walk around our 14 acres of RHS partner gardens as he gives a comprehensive talk about winter gardening. After a break for tea and cake, Amanda Hirst will give a talk on James Allen, known locally as The Snowdrop King, and the first person to breed new varieties from wild snowdrops.

Tickets

• Adult – £25
• Friend of the Palace – £20

Colouring Pencils Botanical Workshop

• Friday, 24th April 2026 | 10.30am – 3.30pm (1 hour lunch break 12.30pm-1.30pm; lunch not included)

Join artist Gemma Lane from Green Fox Workshops for a wonderful day learning how to use colouring pencils to create, detail, depth and tone. During this workshop, Gemma will go through a step by step method to help you feel confident with this medium and in capturing the beauty of the spring botanicals.

All materials are provided and a hot drink is included. Lunch is not included; The Bishop’s Table offers lunches that can be purchased onsite or participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch.

This Colouring Pencils Workshop is set in the vaulted Undercroft at The Bishop’s Palace, making it the perfect backdrop for this creative session.

Price: £65 (£60 for Friends of the Palace)

Watercolour Birds Workshop

• Friday, 19th June 2026 | 10:30am – 3:30pm (1 hour lunch break, 12.30pm-1.30pm; lunch not included)

Come and spend a wonderful day immersing yourself in nature by creating a watercolour painting of a British bird. During the session, artist Gemma Lane from Green Fox Workshops will go through a step by step process to help you understand how to create a detailed painting using watercolours.

All materials are provided and a hot drink is included. Lunch is not included; The Bishop’s Table offers lunches that can be purchased onsite or participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch.

This Colouring Pencils Workshop is set in the vaulted Undercroft at The Bishop’s Palace, making it the perfect backdrop for this creative session.

Price: £65 (£60 for Friends of the Palace)

Autumnal Produce with Colouring Pencils Workshop

Friday, 18th September 2026 | 10.30am – 3.30pm (1 hour lunch break, 12.30pm-1.30pm; lunch not included)

Come and join us for the seasonal art workshop focusing on the fantastic autumnal produce at this time of year. Join artist Gemma Lane, from Green Fox Workshops who will go through a step by step process, with gentle encouragement, demonstrating the wonders of using colouring pencils to create detailed drawings.

All materials are provided and a hot drink is included. Lunch is not included; The Bishop’s Table offers lunches that can be purchased onsite or participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch.

This Colouring Pencils Workshop is set in the vaulted Undercroft at The Bishop’s Palace, making it the perfect backdrop for this creative session.

Price: £65 (£60 for Friends of the Palace)

Watercolour Christmas Cards Workshop

• Friday, 4th December | 10.30am – 12.30pm

Come and get festive in this wonderful watercolour Christmas card workshop. This workshop is run by artist Gemma Lane from Green Fox Workshops whereby she will show you some fun experimental techniques to help you create gorgeous Christmas cards.

All materials are provided and a hot drink and mince pie included. 

This Colouring Pencils Workshop is set in the vaulted Undercroft at The Bishop’s Palace, making it the perfect backdrop for this creative session.

Price: £45 (£40 for Friends of the Palace)