Bishop's Palace and Bishop's House
Bishop's Palace and Bishop's House, Episcopal palace and historic house museum in Wells, England
The Bishop's Palace features fortified walls, a moat with drawbridge, and encompasses 14 acres of maintained gardens with ancient wells and springs.
Construction began in 1210 under Bishop Jocelin, with Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury adding defensive elements including walls, gatehouse, and moat during the 14th century.
The palace functions as both the residence for the Bishop of Bath and Wells and a museum showcasing medieval ecclesiastical architecture and garden design.
Visitors can explore the medieval vaulted undercroft, chapel, long gallery, and gardens, while the Bishop's House section remains a private residential area.
Trained mute swans inhabit the moat and ring bells when requesting food, following a tradition established by Bishop Hervey's daughter in the 1870s.
Location: Wells
Address: The Bishops Palace, Wells BA5 2PD BA5 2PD BA5 2PD
Website: https://bishopspalace.org.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.20910,-2.64380
Latest update: May 11, 2025 23:16
Wells Cathedral
145 m
Penniless Porch, Wells
93 m
Chain Gate, Wells
195 m
The Bishop's Eye, Wells
75 m
Wells Town Hall
79 m
The Crown Hotel
114 m
Well House, Bishop's Palace, Wells
133 m
Chapter House of Wells Cathedral
171 m
1, St Andrew Street
216 m
Bishop's Palace ruined portions, walls and well house scheduled monument
86 m
Vicar's Hall including No. 28 Vicars' Close
206 m
Gatehouse of the Bishop's Palace
26 m
23, Market Place
103 m
25, Market Place
107 m
Number 1 With Front Boundary Railings
117 m
Gatehouse And Boundary Wall With Bridge Over Moat listed building
26 m
21, Market Place
107 m
19, Market Place
110 m
17, Market Place
109 m
Cloisters To Cathedral Church Of St Andrew
74 m
13, Market Place
118 m
Bishop's Palace Chapel
84 m
Triple Lamp Standard Adjacent To Boundary Wall Opposite Wells Museum
181 m
Triple Lamp Standard Approximately 25 Metres To West Of South West Tower
141 m
The Rib
210 m
Boundary walls of the Bishop's Palace
26 m
Bishop Burnell's Great Hall
67 m
Conservative Club
126 mReviews
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