The Bishop's Palace & Gardens
BEST FOR
Ages 5-17
ENTRY
from £10
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
A medieval palace with a moat, 14 acres of gardens, splash play and a dragon-themed play area to burn a whole afternoon on.
The big draw for kids here is outside rather than in. There's a Splash Play Zone with water jets and a paddling area, and the Dragon's Lair play area with climbing frames and a water pump, both set in 14 acres of RHS partner gardens that give you actual room to wander rather than shuffle round in a queue. Add in family trails and the odd history re-enactment event, and you've got enough to fill a half day before you've even mentioned the 800 year old Palace itself.
The Palace side is the bit that makes this more than a play park with a nice view. You get multimedia tours through the medieval building, the ruined Great Hall and the Bishop's Chapel, which is worth doing before the kids clock the splash pad and lose interest in anything historical. Entry isn't cheap at £25 for an adult and £10 for a child, though under fives go free, and if you're coming as a two adult family the £65 family ticket works out a bit kinder than paying separately. There are cheaper day tickets too, and a joint ticket with Wells Cathedral if you fancy stacking two things into one day.
Food-wise, the Bishop's Table Café does locally sourced food with proper vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options plus children's meals, and you can actually visit the café and shop without paying admission at all, useful if you just want a coffee stop on a longer day in Wells. Picnics are allowed in the gardens if you'd rather bring your own. Dogs are welcome on a lead in the grounds, just not inside the Palace buildings or Chapel.
The real faff is parking. There's no on-site car park, and Blue Badge spaces are limited and need booking 48 hours ahead by phone, so you're relying on street parking in Wells otherwise. The Rampart Walk isn't wheelchair accessible and some areas can close in bad weather, but free wheelchair and mobility scooter hire is available if you book ahead, and there's a lift and accessible toilets inside.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 5 to 17; under fives go free but the play areas suit school age best
- Booking
- Book Blue Badge parking 48 hours in advance
- Parking
- No on-site parking. Limited Blue Badge spaces available by advance booking
- How long to allow
- Half day or full day visit
- Food
- Award-winning Bishop's Table Café with locally-sourced homemade food, coffee, cake, vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options
- Picnics
- Allowed in gardens. Bring own food or buy from café
- Wheelchairs
- Free wheelchair hire available
- Dogs
- Allowed on leads in grounds
- Worth knowing
- 12-month Annual Pass includes year-round return visits plus year-round events programme
- The café and shop sit in the free area, so a coffee stop doesn't need an admission ticket
- An Annual Pass covers year-round return visits plus the events programme, worth a look if Wells is a regular trip
- Ring ahead for Blue Badge parking, it's not a turn-up-and-hope situation
- A joint day ticket with Wells Cathedral is available if you're doing both
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£25 for an adult and £10 for a child aged 5 to 17, with under fives free. A two adult family ticket is £65, and there are cheaper day tickets from £15 for an adult and £7 for a child.
Do we need to book in advance?
You can book online or just buy on-site. Blue Badge parking needs booking 48 hours ahead by phone.
Is there parking?
No on-site car park. Blue Badge spaces are limited and must be pre-booked, otherwise it's street parking in Wells.
What's there for younger kids?
The listed ages start at 5, with the Dragon's Lair play area and Splash Play Zone the main things to aim them at. Under fives go free.
Can we bring a picnic?
Picnicking is fine in the gardens, or you can buy from the café.
What food is available?
The Bishop's Table Café does locally sourced food with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options and a children's menu. You can visit the café without paying admission.
How long should we plan for?
Reckon on a half day or a full day, given the gardens, play areas and the Palace tours all add up.
Are dogs allowed?
On a lead in the grounds, yes. Not inside the Palace buildings or the Chapel, though there are water bowls and treats at the café.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
There's a lift, accessible toilets and free wheelchair or mobility scooter hire if booked ahead. The Rampart Walk and some garden areas aren't wheelchair accessible though.
Can we bring bikes or scooters?
They're allowed in the free entrance area of the Palace but not in the gardens or the Palace buildings themselves. There are bike racks at the main entrance.
Is there anything on at Christmas?
There are Christmas Illuminations from 1st December to 3rd January, Father Christmas visits from 12 to 22 December, and a Christmas Artisan Market on 14 and 15 November.
Is there a discount for carers?
Essential carers get free admission.
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