This February Half Term, family activities at the Palace will be based around a “Nature” theme, and the children’s nature-themed trail will run throughout the holiday week, leading little ones on a journey around the Palace and Gardens.
Included in admission to palace and gardens.
We’ve got so much for families to do at The Bishop’s Palace – whatever the weather, you can always have a great day out with the kids in the centre of Wells, Somerset.
The Dragon’s Lair
Legend has it that in the 13th century, Somerset was terrorised by a frightful dragon who liked to eat milkmaids and other unsuspecting villagers. Bishop Jocelyn – who built The Bishop’s Palace – bravely ventured out to kill the dragon. After a mighty battle, as the dragon breathed its dying breath, it cast an eternal curse on the villagers – that if they ever forgot about it, the creature would return every 50 years….
This year, let your imagination run wild at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells. Cross the Drawbridge to receive the ancient story map and use your wits to lead you through the Palace Gardens to experience The Dragon’s Lair!
This new, interactive discovery area is designed around the themes and stories of the Palace. Taking inspiration from Dragon’s Wings, Well Pools & Water, Trees and History, this outdoor natural activity space will exercise both minds and bodies with a pole jungle, tree pods, a waterwheel and sluice gates.
The only question is – Dare you enter The Dragon’s Lair?
Other Family Activities
Little ones love to explore our 14 acres of gardens, trying to spot the swans and their cygnets – if you’re lucky, you might even see them ringing the bell for their food! We’ve got waterfalls and springs to see and a lovely pond for a spot of pond dipping in the Community Garden. There are trees to climb and places to hide for a fantastic game of hide and seek in our Arboretum and we’ve got children’s trails to take you through our gardens! Head inside the Palace for a spot of dressing up, a giant stained-glass jigsaw and some dragon-spotting
Looking for things to do with the kids in Somerset on a rainy weekend? Have a boots and brolly day in our gardens. Has it started raining again? Doesn’t matter! Put up your brolly & be like a duck!
Visit the Well pools – see them bubble with all the water passing underneath them. Walk through the medieval Palace, see portraits of past bishops, find the green dragons and complete the stained glass jigsaw puzzle. Visit the Bishop’s private chapel, look up, down, around, behind everything – there are lots of amazing details to spot. Dress up as a bishop or a medieval villager…or be a queen for a day!
Don’t forget to pop into The Bishop’s Table cafe which has a great children’s menu and plenty on offer for grown ups too!
If you think you’ll visit more than three times in 12 months then Family Membership may be just for you.
Kids under 5 years old also go FREE. Great news!