This summer, The Bishop’s Palace in Wells will be holding a huge range of family activities to keep little ones entertained throughout the long holidays.
The fun begins on 24 July, when the first of the summer trails will be in place – each week of the holidays a different trail will encourage children to explore the Gardens, focusing on the theme of the week.
Every Tuesday from 30 July onwards, children can join in with the Crafty Cats family activity sessions between 10:30am-3pm in the Undercroft of the Palace. The sessions will follow the weekly themes and include ‘Take to the Air’ where, amongst other activities, they will have the chance to make a mini hot air balloon, ‘Woodland Wonders’, ‘The Tudors’ and an ‘Eco-Scrap Heap Challenge’.
On Thursdays (1, 8 and 15 August) from 11am-3pm, there’s a chance to enjoy the popular Nature Ninjas family garden fun sessions with a range of garden and nature-based activities.
One of the highlights of the summer at the Palace is the Midsummer Mayhem Family Fun Day, which takes place this year on Sunday 4 August from 10am-4pm. This year, there will be an Alice in Wonderland theme, with a wonderland-themed bouncy castle, plenty of inflatable fun, crazy croquet (featuring flamingo-handled mallets), face painting and plenty of games and crafts.
In the evening of 4 August, families will be entranced by Boxtree Productions’ theatre production of The Legend of King Arthur. Held on the beautiful South Lawn with a backdrop of the medieval ruins of the Great Hall, it’s a match made in heaven of medieval folklore set on the ancient isle of Avalon. The production is suitable for all the family and includes original songs and magical storytelling to keep all ages entranced.
To bring the summer holiday to a dramatic finish, why not join medieval re-enactors and combat specialists Bowlore Medieval for a Bank Holiday Weekend like no other? Their encampment will be in residence at the Palace from 24-26 August and their thrilling activities include longbow and crossbow shooting, weapons demonstrations, combat displays, sword lessons and have-a-go archery. Whatever your age, you’ll be entranced by their skills and can take the chance to learn something new!
Also on the Bank Holiday Monday, the annual Moat Boat Race takes place on the Palace Moat, so it’s a great chance to spend a wonderful day enjoying all the Palace has to offer.
All activities included in standard admission apart from the Outdoor Theatre Production (Adult £14 Child £9, Family £40)