The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens
Home of the Bishops of of Bath and Wells, and their swans, for 800 years.
Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD
Facilities
-
Accessible loos
-
Accessible parking
-
Cafe / restaurant
-
Easily accessible without car
-
Facilities for children
-
Mostly wheelchair accessible
-
No parking
-
Pet friendly
-
Picnic area
-
Shop
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible parking
- Access statement available
- Large font signs and leaflets
- Accessible toilets
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens in Wells has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and this stunning medieval palace is open for all to enjoy.
Surrounded by a breath-taking moat (with resident swans) visitors can cross a flagstone drawbridge, walk under the portcullis and experience a true hidden gem in the heart of the City of Wells.
There are 14 acres of outstanding, RHS Partner gardens to explore, including the beautiful well pools from which the city takes its name and there is also a natural play area “The Dragon’s Lair” hidden in the Arboretum.
Discover the medieval splendours of the Palace buildings, from the vaulted Undercroft to the elegant Long Gallery, and experience year round family events, guided tours, audio visual guides, a gift shop and a café with the best views in Wells!
From family and community garden activity days, historic re-enactment, concerts, talks, workshops and demonstrations to family theatre – we’ve got something for everybody whatever your age or interests.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells, Somerset, is a historic site open to visitors, offering a variety of attractions and events throughout the year. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times and events:
General Opening Times
Summer Hours (March to October): Open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm, with last admission at 5:00pm.
Winter Hours (October to March): Open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm, with last admission at 3:30pm.
New Year Opening: Open on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th January, closed on 5th, 6th, and 7th January, and reopening fully from 8th January 2026.
Attractions
- The Bishop’s Palace: A medieval palace with over 800 years of history.
- The Gardens: 14 acres of RHS Partner Gardens, including the Dragon’s Lair play area for children.
- The Bishop’s Table Café: Serving locally sourced food and drinks, open year-round with varying hours.
Events
- The Great Hall Exhibition: 7th October 2025 to 1st February 2026, daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
- Secret Supper Club: Monthly themed dinners starting 8th January 2026, every second Thursday of the month.
- Snowdrop Month: February 2026, showcasing snowdrops in the gardens.
- Rare Plant Fair: 15th March 2026, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Special Notes
Admission tickets are required for most areas, with various options available, including day tickets, annual passes, and joint tickets with Wells Cathedral. Some events may require separate tickets. Dogs are welcome in the gardens but not in the palace buildings, except for assistance dogs.
For more details, visitors can contact The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens directly at 01749 988111 or visit the site in Wells, Somerset.
Historic Houses members visit free.
The Bishop’s Palace Admission Ticket 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.
Adult: £15
Child: £7 (5-17 years old)
Students: £12 (valid student card must be shown on arrival)
Under 5s: Free
See the Palace website for further info and updates.
Historic House Cards not valid on some event days – please see the Palace website for details.
Group discounts apply.
We ask that all groups book in advance to ensure that we can offer you the best possible experience. Ideally bookings should be made at least one month in advance. You may wish to telephone to enquire about available dates and make a provisional booking.
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible parking
- Access statement available
- Large font signs and leaflets
- Accessible toilets
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
Getting here
Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD
In the centre of the City of Wells; the smallest city in England. The Bishop’s Palace is adjacent to the magnificent Wells Cathedral and ancient Market Place. Wells is located 20 miles from Bristol and 20 miles from Bath.
Nearest train station is Castle Cary, 9 miles away.
Buses run regularly from Bath, Bristol and the coast. Bus numbers 26, 29, 37, 126, 161/2, 173, 375, 376, 377 all run close to the Palace.
We’re on Sustrans cycle route 3.
Coaches drop off at Prince’s Road Coach Park, a 10 minute walk away.
Find the exact address on what3words:
///obstruct.isolating.next
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £71 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
