The Bishop's Palace Ticket Portal

King Pins, Bunglers, Caterpillars and Fornication?

Thursday 13th February 6PM-7PM, Gates open 5.45PM

Adult - £5  Student - £4   Member/Friend - Free

Jeff Loader (aka The Time Travelling Carpenter) delivers an entertaining and lively talk about the forerunner of modern table billiard games - Medieval Ground Billiards.

He presents his audience with historical clues and evidence so together they investigate the mystery of whether a medieval game played on grass was indeed the precursor of the modern table game.

Jeff is a historical demonstrator and reenactor who has been sharing his passion for history with visitors to museums, historical events and heritage centres for many years. 

The Palace Lectures are a series of talks across the year. Covering an assortment of intruguing and interesting topics the talks are delivered by historians, gardeners and subject experts. 

Walk and Talk - Winter Gardening and Snowdrops

Thursday 13th February 10am - 1pm

Join Head Gardener James Cross for a walk around the grounds as he gives a comprehensive talk about winter gardening. After a break for tea and cake, Amanda Hirst will give a talk on James Allen, known locally as The Snowdrop King and the first person to breed new varieties from wild snowdrops 

Palace Lecture - Fencers and Fight Books: The History of Fencing in the 15th to 17th Centuries

Thursday 10th April 6PM-7PM, Gates open 5.45PM

Adult - £5  Student - £4   Member/Friend - Free

Throughout the medieval and early modern period, fencing and the study of arms was considered one of the hallmarks of noble and princely activity. Much of what is known about fencing at this time is captured in 'fightbooks', treatises written by fencing masters and which often contained beautiful pictures of martial techniques. In this talk, Dr Rob Runacres will discuss the development of fencing in the period as illustrated by the extensive fightbook literature.

Rob Runacres is a historian and fencing instructor, specialising in the history of Italian fencing masters and princely education. He is the founder of the Renaissance Sword Club, where he teaches rapier and associated sword forms. Several of his fightbook translations have been published and he regularly gives talks on early modern martial arts.

The Palace Lectures are a series of talks across the year. Covering an assortment of intruguing and interesting topics the talks are delivered by historians, gardeners and subject experts. 

Workshop: Spring Flowers Watercolours

Tickets are £55 each, £50 for Friends of the Palace.

Friday 16th May

Timings:

• 10.30am - 3.30pm (1 hour lunch break 12.30pm - 1.30pm) 

Come for a soothing watercolor course that immerses you in the beauty of spring flowers and the changing seasons. Set against the scenic backdrop of Bishops Palace, this class is ideal for beginners, offering a perfect opportunity to explore your creativity. All materials will be provided, with the exception of a sketchbook. Take a moment to unwind and connect with nature while learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting.

Workshop provided by Gemma Lane from Green Fox Workshops

Join us on Saturday July 12th 2025 for the biggest music event in Wells as the Palace plays host to Seth Lakeman, The Wurzels, Mad Dog Mcrea, 3 Daft Monkeys and Wells City Band. 

For full information about the artists please visit bishopspalace.org.uk/party/

Tickets:

Early bird tickets on sale from midday on Sunday 1st December 2024.    Adults £30   Children £20  (child 5-17, under 5 - free)

Capacity is limited, so be sure to secure your spot early!

Before purchasing tickets please be aware of all Terms and Conditions which you can find here.

Event tickets are non-refundable.

Please check our event FAQs here. for any questions you may have about Party at the Palace.

This is a fundraising event for The Palace Trust.

Workshop: Sketching Tour

Friday 4th July

Time: 10.30am - 3.30pm (1 hour lunch break 12.30-1.30pm)

Price: £50 Friends of the Palace / £55 non members

Join us for a hands-on workshop focused on tonal shading and mark making. This session will guide you through various techniques to capture detail effectively while encouraging a more relaxed approach to your sketching style. You will have the opportunity to study the scenic grounds of Bishops Palace, allowing you to practice your skills in a beautiful setting.

The workshop is suitable for beginners, and all materials will be provided, apart from a sketchbook. Bring your enthusiasm and willingness to explore new artistic methods. We look forward to seeing you there!

Lunch not included. Participants are welcome to bring their own packed lunch or purchase lunch from the Bishop’s Table on site.

Workshop provided by Gemma Lane from Green Fox Workshops

Palace Lecture: Recreating Roman and Saxon buildings at Avalon Archaeology

Thursday 3rd July 6PM-7PM, Gates open 5.45PM

Adult - £5  Student - £4   Member/Friend - Free

At the Avalon Archaeology site near Glastonbury recreations have been made of buildings from different periods. These include a Saxon longhall based on one from Cheddar, that was probably owned by King Alfred, and a winter dining room of a typical Roman villa from Somerset with mosaic floor, frescoes and working hypocaust.  Join Dr Richard Brunning for a talk showing how the reconstructions required the use a wide range of information from archaeology, literature, history and art together with some informed guesswork to complete the challenge.

Dr Brunning is the Senior Historic Environment Office and Archaeologist at South West Heritage Trust, and took the lead on the brilliant Avalon Archaeology Project. 

The Palace Lectures are a series of talks across the year. Covering an assortment of intruguing and interesting topics the talks are delivered by historians, gardeners and subject experts. 

The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I

Wednesday 13th August       Gates open 6.15pm  Show 7pm-9pm

Adults £20   Friends of the Palace £15 Children £ 12

The Three Inch Fools present a largely historical, always hysterical, brand new Tudor comedie.

Elizabethan theatre is flourishing. But will a brand-new Tudor musical romp, in which Good Queen Bess takes to the stage herself, be the making of this heroine or spell the beginning of her downfall?

The stage is set for regicidal rivalries, devious dramatics, and plotting playwrights. Beset by misunderstandings and a script that…let’s just say…needs some work, this production promises to be largely historical, always hysterical.

As the old saying goes…thy show must go-eth on!

Remember to bring something to sit on. There will be an outdoor bar selling cold drinks, ice cream and alcoholopen throughout the performance, you are welcome to bring you own picnic as well.The performance will go ahead even if it is raining so, please dress for the weather on the day.Please do not bring large beach style parasols as these will block people's view of the performance.

This is a fundraising event for the Palace Trust.

If you require a carers/essential companion ticket for any of our events please email events@bishopspalace.org.uk

Hamlet - The Pantaloons

Wednesday 3rd September

Gates open 6pm Show 6.30pm-9.20pm 

Adults £16.00 Children £8.00 Friends of the Palace £14.00

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t!”

Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company as they put on a frantic disposition to tackle Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy in their own anarchic style.

When he discovers that his uncle has murdered his father, married his mother and traitorously taken the crown of Denmark there’s only one course of action for Hamlet: feign madness, frequently monologue and take swift revenge. But outrageous fortune has other plans for the poor Prince of Denmark...

With live music, audience interaction, brevity-boosting abridgements, comic turns and tragic twists there’s only one question: To be there, or to be square?

Remember to bring something to sit on. There will be an outdoor bar selling cold drinks, ice cream and alcoholopen throughout the performance, you are welcome to bring you own picnic as well.The performance will go ahead even if it is raining so, please dress for the weather on the day.Please do not bring large beach style parasols as these will block people's view of the performance.

This is a fundraising event for the Palace Trust.

If you require a carers/essential companion ticket for any of our events please email events@bishopspalace.org.uk

Workshop: Chalk Pastels of Autumn Produce

Tickets are £55 each, £50 for Friends of the Palace.

Friday 24th October

Timings:

• 10.30am - 3.30pm (1 hour lunch break 12.30pm - 1.30pm) 

Join us for a creative session focused on seasonal chalk pastel drawings featuring autumnal produce. This workshop offers a hands-on introduction to the use of chalk pastels, guiding you through the process of developing tone, depth, and detail in your artwork. Participants will learn essential techniques tailored for beginners, making it a perfect opportunity to explore your artistic side. All materials will be provided. Come and enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn while enhancing your artistic skills.

Lunch is not included, participants are welcome to bring their own packed lunch or purchase lunch from The Bishop’s Table on site.

Workshop provided by Gemma Lane from Green Fox Workshops