Pictures of Bishop's Palace, Wells

a Historic Building in the town of Wells, in the county of Somerset

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About Bishop's Palace, Wells

The Bishop's Palace in the enchanting tiny cathedral city of Wells where there is a predominance of beautiful buildings, is evocative of the time when the power of the church was absolute, and Bishop's lived in a splendour fit for kings.

The building has been the home of the Bishop's of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. It was constructed around 1285, when the waters of St.Andrew's Spring were used to create a wide moat surrounding the wall with its four corner towers. The entrance to the palace was guarded by a fortified gatehouse made of two octagonal towers. In the 1550's one Bishop sold the lead from the towers and these buildings are partially ruined. New buildings were added later to make the palace habitable again.

Visitors to the palace are able to see mute swans gliding across the moat to ring a bell for food, also available to see is the Bishop's private Chapel, the ruined Great Hall, the Gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge, plus 14 acres of magnificent gardens containing springs from which the city takes its name. The gardens provide a home for wildlife, and beside the mute swans, ducks and other species can be spotted. There is also a pretty " well house" of 1541 and an arboretum planted in 1977 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. As you can imagine the gardens are extremely tranquil, providing a lovely spot for peaceful reflection or a tranquil place to enjoy a picnic.

In the palace there is an exhibition gallery with changing exhibitions of art, glass, sculpture, spinning, weaving, woodcarving and embroidery, some of which is the work of local artists. There is also a Palace shop for the purchase of souvenirs and plants grown in the Bishop's garden.

Of all the stunning medieval buildings of Wells, the Bishop's Palace is singularly beautiful, it is easy to see just why the great architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner described it as "the most memorable of all Bishop's Palace's in England" for that is justifiably so.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Bishop's Palace, Wells.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Bishop's Palace, Wells

Wells Cathedral	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)	Pictures
Wookey Hole Caves and Papermill	(1.8 miles, 2.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Glastonbury Tor	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Chalice Well Gardens	(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Glastonbury Abbey	(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Cheddar Caves and Gorge	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Nunney Castle	(11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Fleet Air Arm Museum	(13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Stourhead	(15.5 miles, 25.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Longleat House & Safari Park	(15.8 miles, 25.3 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Somerset
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Bishop's Palace, Wells

Wells, in the county of Somerset (0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
Wells, situated at the foot of the picturesque mendip hills, is most certainly one of England's most delightful cathedral cities.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wookey, in the county of Somerset (2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction W)
It is a pleasant resort village made famous by the glittering limestone cavern known as "Wookey Hole" which comprises of several dramatic chambers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Glastonbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Somerset (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction SW)
This little town now enjoys world renown for its annual music festival which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cheddar, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW)
Often called 'Englands Grand Canyon' Chedder Gorge was carved out by a river that now runs underground.
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Langport, in the county of Somerset (14.3 miles, 23.1 km, direction SW)
This old town cradled at the heart of the Somerset Levels, sits bounded by the soft rolling Somerset countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burnham-on-Sea, in the county of Somerset (15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction W)
This invigorating Somerset coastal resort offers visitors a variety of experiences. It has a rich expanse of sand covering almost seven miles of coast, making it an idyllic resort for families with children.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stourton, in the county of Wiltshire (15.8 miles, 25.5 km, direction SE)
Stourton is noted for the church dedicated to St. Peter where you can see many memorials to the famous Hoare banking family and for the house which was the families ancestral home.
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Bridgwater, a Historic Market Town in the county of Somerset (16.7 miles, 26.8 km, direction W)
Bridgwater emerged from a village of the Middle Ages to become a prosperous river-port. Later, it became known as the place where Monmouth proclaimed himself King.
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Bath, in the county of Somerset (16.8 miles, 27.0 km, direction NE)
Bath is an elegant city famous for its fascinating history, its beautiful Georgian architecture and its Roman remains.
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Poyntington, in the county of Dorset (17.2 miles, 27.6 km, direction S)
This is a delightful small village situated in the picturesque Blackmore Vale where the Dorset and Somerset boundary meets.
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All towns in Somerset
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Castle Cary Station	(9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction SE)
Bruton Station	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction SE)
Bristol International Airport	(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction N)
M5 Junction 22	(13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction W)
M5 Junction 23	(14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction W)
Cardiff International Airport	(33.3 miles, 53.6 km, direction NW)
Bishop's Palace, Wells to London	(110.8 miles, 178.3 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Bishop's Palace, Wells

Hotel Name
The White Hart Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Best Western The Swan Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Ancient Gatehouse	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Beryl	(0.8 miles, 1.4 km)
Miller's at Glencot House	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction NW)
Coxley Vineyard Hotel Limited	(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction SW)
Crossways	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction S)
Thatched Cottage	(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction E)
The Highwayman Inn	(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction SE)
George & Pilgrims	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts