A future for our heritage
The Palace Trust is currently overseeing a number of exciting developments at The Bishop’s Palace that will transform the visitor experience and improve facilities. Preserving an important part of the nation’s heritage, as well as benefiting the people of Somerset, the development is essential to provide a sustainable future for The Bishop’s Palace.
What are we building?
A new kind of visitor experience. With incredible views across the croquet lawn of the palace and Great Hall ruins, visitors can now access a new visitor centre, comprising of a ‘green’ café, a new shop, new washrooms and a purpose-built activity and education centre.
All of this can be accessed by visitors for free, with admission charges/season ticket entry remaining in place for full access to the palace, gardens and events in the grounds.
Development plans have been sympathetic to the unique and tranquil surroundings of the palace and gardens and fully intend to enhance this beautiful environment.
New for 2012
Swan platform
A new viewing point will also be built for visitors to get a better view of Wells’ famous swans
Improvements to the Palace Green
The approach to the gatehouse will be landscaped to enhance visitors’ first view of the Palace. Grass areas will be repaired and new surfacing will define a clear route into the Palace.
The Bishop's Table
Open to all this glass and timber structure of the café will make this new social space feel light and open, with breath-taking views of the inner courtyard, croquet lawn and reveals the textures and dimensions the moat wall as part of its design.
New shop and ticket office
Adjacent to the café is the new palace shop and ticket office. A great place to come for a special gift, Palace souvenir or information on how to become a Member.
Toilets
Brand new washrooms and baby change facilities are now easily accessible to all visitors.
Learning room
A dedicated space for education groups, particularly schools. The Palace will be offering hands-on workshops inspiring lifelong learning in the community.
Improved interpretation
Visitors will be able to enjoy improved information across and inside the palace and gardens
A volunteer and staff office
A dedicated space for our hard-working volunteers to take a break and for staff to be located in the hub of the visitor environment.
The plant room
This renewable energy area will accommodate the water source heat pump that generates energy from the moat to provide underfloor heating and hot water for you all to enjoy!
Better access for all
New pathway to St Andrew’s Well
A new bridge will link to a path through ‘Scotland’, an area previously closed to the public and site of the ancient well dedicated to St Andrew.
Lift to the first floor of the Palace
An existing staircase will be modified to fit the lift neatly within the stairwell. This design solution will minimise any impact on historic structures.
A growing community
Community garden
Community activities within the new garden (set to open in the Summer of 2012) will enhance the health and well-being of local people and help restore the tradition of productive gardens at the Palace.
Treasure exhibition
Coming in 2012, an exhibition exploring artefacts and objects found across the Diocese of Bath & Wells.
Garden of reflection
Landform sculpture
The sculpted grass covered landform will introduce a dramatic elevated viewpoint from where to enjoy the wider garden, the Palace and the Cathedral.
Shared Orchard
The Garden of Reflection would be linked to the new Community Garden through a shared orchard.
Reflecting Pool
The reflecting pool, in the most secluded part of the garden, is a peaceful place for contemplation and reflection.
Coming closer to history
From the archives
A wealth of historic sources, including the views and plans, will help give visitors a new perspective on the Palace’s history.
Undercroft
At present the undercroft houses the Palace restaurant. Moving the café facilities to the courtyard will allow fuller appreciation of the medieval architecture in the oldest part of the Palace and it will become a focus for exploring the Palace’s history and development.
Archaeology and history
Excavation and research at the Palace steadily add to our understanding of this complex site. For example, in areas such as the medieval floor surrounding the great hall and the restoration of Bishop Law’s waterwheel.
Not forgetting...
Regular, expert-led fact-packed daily tours of the palace and gardens.
A truly unique place for venue hire; from a conference, meeting, wedding reception, away day, to a special birthday celebration.
A programme of fun, family hands-on events and activities.
Why does the Palace need this new building?
The Bishop’s Palace is a unique UK site of significant importance Limited accessibility and lack of visitor facilities, especially interpretation materials, has meant that the 40,000 visitors who pass through the gateway each year often leave after a short duration, feeling unrewarded and with limited understanding of the site’s historical importance and purpose.
The Palace Trust and supporters view this exciting new development as essential for the future of this important historical site.
When will it all be finished?
- New visitor centre (café, shop, toilets, learning room) – Open NOW
- Improved interpretation in and around the Palace – Between now and May 2012
- New pathway to St Andrew’s Well - tbc
- Undercroft restoration - Palace building re-opens April 2012
- Lift to the first floor of the Palace – Accessible when Palace building re-opens in April 2012
- Community Garden - Summer 2012
- Garden of Reflection - Summer 2012
More information will be added to this area of the website as the development progresses.
How has this been funded?
Thanks to generous financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, significant grants from the Church Commissioners, Viridor Credits and contributions from other charitable trusts, individual donors and companies we have been able to initiate the transformation of the Bishop’s Palace. In total over £4 million has been raised to date, but we still need to raise a further £400,000 to ensure that we can complete all of the exciting developments on site.
You can still help us reach our targets and contribute towards creating a sustainable future for the Bishop’s Palace. At the same time you will be helping to preserve an important part of the nation’s heritage, as well as contributing to a project that will benefit the people of Somerset.
Please visit our Support us pages to find out how you can help fundraise, or contact our Fundraising Manager, Joanna Hall to learn how you can get involved. Alternatively, donations can be made online through VirginMoney or cheques, payable to The Palace Trust, sent to Joanna Hall at the The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD.
Keep in touch
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