Tickets and Opening
Admission Tickets and Opening
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells, Somerset is run by The Palace Trust, a registered charity which manages the site as a heritage visitor attraction.
Value-Packed Admission
The Bishop’s Palace Annual Pass 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.
This value-packed ticket gives access to the medieval Palace and Undercroft, ruined Great Hall, 14 acres of RHS Partner Gardens, The Bishop’s Chapel and to many year-round events (unless Member Only or ticketed) including family workshops, storytelling, themed events, Christmas Illuminations and daily guided tours (see schedule below, subject to availabilty).
It’s free to visit The Bishop’s Table café and the Croquet Lawn area.
Buy Admission Tickets onsite or online.
Opening Hours
The Palace, Gardens and Chapel are OPEN:
- 9.30am-5.30pm daily in the summer months (from 29th March 2024 – 26th October 2024)
- 10am-4pm daily in the winter months (from 27th October 2024 – 28th March 2025, excluding Christmas closures – see below)
Last admission is 30 minutes before closure.
Christmas 2024
For the first time the Palace will maintain normal winter opening hours over the Christmas period, with the exception of the following closures:
- Christmas Eve (closed from 2 pm onwards)
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- New Year’s Day
- 2nd January
- 3rd January
We will reopen to the public at 10am on the 4th of January 2025.
Scroll down for additional special closures.
Tours
Included with your ticket, daily guided tours are delivered by our expert volunteer tour guides, subject to availability.
Admission Prices 2024
Tickets include 12 months access to the Palace and Gardens on normal sightseeing days. They do not include entrance to The Rare Plant Fairs, Christmas Artisan Market or other ticketed events.
| WHO | STANDARD (2024) |
|---|---|
| Adult | £17.50 |
| Family (1 adult) | £31 |
| Family (2 adults) | £48.50 |
| Children (Under 5 years) | FREE |
| Children (5-17 years) | £8.75 |
| Essential helpers assisting disabled visitors | FREE |
| Student/Blue Light Card (with valid in date card) | £12.50 |
| Group Admission | £9 |
| Child Group Admission | £4.50 |
Please note that no discount cards can be used on special event days.
Gift Aid
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens runs the Gift Aid on Entry Scheme which lets us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* – an extra 25 per cent at no cost to you – all of which goes straight back into the upkeep of this unique, Grade I listed, historic site.
| 2024 GIFT AID | |
|---|---|
| Amount Paid by visitor | £17.50 |
| Tax Refund from the Government* | £4.38 |
| Total Received by the Bishop’s Palace | £21.88 |
*Gift Aid donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
Admission Prices 2025
In 2025, the Annual Pass will include a number of ‘added value events’ for all the family including Bowlore Medieval, The Wardour Garrison, Medieval Falconry and the Viking and a two day Knight’s Tournament event, plus entry to the Rare Plant Fair as well as family trails and holiday activities.
| WHO | STANDARD (2025) |
|---|---|
| Adult Annual Pass | £25 |
| Family Annual Pass (1 adult) | £40 |
| Family Annual Pass (2 adults) | £65 |
| Children Annual Pass (Under 5 years) | FREE |
| Children Annual Pass (5-17 years) | £10 |
| Essential helpers assisting disabled visitors | FREE |
| Student (with valid in date card) | £18 |
| Group Admission | £9.50 |
| Child Group Admission | £4.75 |
Day Tickets will also be available in 2025:
| WHO | STANDARD (2025) |
|---|---|
| Adult Day Ticket | £14 |
| Child Day Ticket (5-17 years) | £7 |
| Student Day Ticket | £12 |
| Child Day Ticket (Under 5 years) | FREE |
Other Ticket Options
Joint Day Admission to Wells Cathedral and The Bishop’s Palace
Buy one ticket which provides access to the two major Wells attractions on the day of the visit. The combination ticket gives visitors a significant discount on the cost of separate admission.
RHS Membership
As an RHS partnered garden, RHS members are welcome to visit free on a Friday (year-round) and on a Monday (winter hours in 2024), excluding special events. This does not include the option for return visits. Please show your RHS card at the ticket office to receive your ticket.
RHS membership visits can not be pre-booked in advance.
Historic Houses Membership
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens are part of the Historic Houses group. Visits to The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens are covered by a Historic Houses Membership (except on special event days). Please present your Historic Houses Membership at the ticket office to receive your ticket.
Historic Houses visits can not be pre-booked in advance and and do not include the option for return visits.
Partial/Full site closures 2024
On occasion, The Palace site may need to be closed at the last minute due to adverse weather conditions.
And on the rare occasion we need to fully or partly close The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens to visitors for private hire, we will list these dates on this page.
You’re welcome to call us on 01749 988111 ext. 200 to double check we are open before you visit.
- 18th November 2024 – 4th January 2025 – East Gallery Closed
- 27th November 2024 – Upstairs of Palace Only (café and gardens remain open as normal)
Dogs
Dogs are very welcome in the gardens of The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens – we do ask that they are kept on a short lead. The only area that dogs are not allowed in is our new Dragon’s Lair area in the Arboretum, as this is a safe space for children.
We have a dog-friendly cafe where your dog will be served water and you can purchase dog treats too!
Dogs may not enter the Palace buildings unless they are assistance dogs.
Tripadvisor
Don’t just take our word for it! Read our visitor reviews on TripAdvisor.
Our Location
Off Market Place (through The Bishop’s Eye entrance)
Wells
Somerset
BA5 2PD
(for Sat Nav use BA5 2RE – This will take you to Harris & Harris. Continue walking under the Bishop’s Eye and bare right along the path to reach the Gatehouse and Portcullis. Please note that the weight limit on the drawbridge is 2.7 tonnes.)
There is no parking on site. Please click here for travel and parking information.