Description
Planning the wedding of the year in Somerset?
Imagine starting your married life together in our breath-taking 800 year old medieval Palace.
The Bishop's Palace- Weddings
Imagine starting your married life together in our breath-taking 800 year old medieval Palace. Walking over the drawbridge as - oh my goodness! - a “just married” couple, and joining your guests for a glass of bubbly, surrounded by 14 acres of stunning gardens. Picture your wedding breakfast, styled elegantly to compliment the history of the Undercroft, with your loved ones treated to the finest wedding breakfast ever tasted (their words, not ours).
Stretch your legs in the Long Gallery for coffee & cake, before taking to the dancefloor and – let’s face it – showing off those champagne-infused dance moves. And most importantly, remember forever the sheer joy of those you love most as they shared your day in the most wonderful of surroundings.
You don’t have to be royalty to celebrate your special day in a Palace - but we’ll treat you as if you were.
Venue Hire
Be a King and Queen for the day and exclusively hire the Palace and gardens - it’s just like having your own stately home! Princes and Princesses can hire the Palace buildings for the day and enjoy the attention they receive from our garden visitors. Or you can just enjoy evening parties, lunches or canapés and drinks and have photographs taken in the beautiful gardens - the choice is yours to create the wedding day you want.
We have put together a choice of hire options so you can tailor your day to suit you and your guests. Have a look through our wedding brochure (download form below) to inspire you and then talk to us about your requirements.
Our award-winning catering team will ensure that you and your guests have a beautifully catered wedding day, with a range of wonderful options to suit every budget. To download our sample wedding breakfast menu, click here.
Planning Process
Now for the fun part… The planning! Our dedicated wedding coordinator will work closely with you, advising about timings, décor, best use of space, and offering menu tastings. And who wants to be organising furniture arranging the day before their wedding? Not you. We’ll take care of setting up all the tables & chairs (according to your table plan) so you don’t have to.
You’ll get to know us very well in the build up to your wedding, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, you’ve entrusted us to deliver the biggest day of your lives so getting to know each other is essential.
Tempted by a whole weekend of wedding celebrations? Good news! We’re here 7 days a week, so if you like the idea of a pre-wedding dinner or BBQ in the gardens, photo sessions, or Sunday lunch the day after in The Bishop’s Table then you’re in the right place…
To help you plan your day we’ve put together a list of wedding professionals who we think can add a little extra sparkle. All of them have worked with us before and have been hand picked by us because we love what they do. Drop us a line for more info about suppliers & accommodation.
Book a viewing
Sounding good? Time to arrange a visit to view the Palace and discuss your options? Contact our Wedding & Venue Manager, Bethany Hulme-Teague, on 01749 988111 ext. 209 or email weddings@bishopspalace.org.uk
Image Gallery
Road Directions
The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens is situated in the heart of Wells, Somerset and can be easily reached from Bath, 21 miles, Bristol, 21 miles and Glastonbury, 8 miles.
(for Sat Nav use BA5 2RA, Cyclists, use National Cycle Network Route 3)
Public Transport Directions
Bus
First Buses 29, 126, 161/162, 173, 375, 376, 377, X75 all stop or pass through Wells. Alight at Wells Bus Station or ask the bus driver if they stop at Wells Market Place which is very close to The Bishop’s Palace.
Bike
The Bishop’s Palace is situated on The National Cycle Network route 3. Visit the Sustrans website for further information and maps. Cycle racks are available across the drawbridge and also in Market Place (just outside the Palace grounds).
Train
The nearest railway stations are Castle Cary (9 miles from Wells) and also Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa (both 21 miles), where you will find bus links to Wells.
Coach
The coach drop off point is on Sadler Street (BA5 2RX) and is well signposted in the city. Sadler Street is a two minute walk from the Palace. Coaches then proceed down the High Street to the on Princes Road (BA5 2DT).
Car
The main routes to Wells are the A371 and the A39. The Bishop’s Palace is a short walk from all central car parks: use Whiting Way car park, BA5 2PJ (long stay £6 all day, cash only) which is located just off the A39 or Market Place (short stay, 1 hour maximum, £1.20) which is just outside the Palace (not available Wednesday or Saturday as these are market days).
You may find this parking website helpful; it shows all the car parks in Wells and how close they are to the Palace. The closest car park to the Palace is Market Place (short stay).
Contact
The Bishop's Palace- Weddings
The Bishops Palace
Wells
Somerset
BA52PD
United Kingdom
T: 01749 988111 ext. 209
E: weddings@bishopspalace.org.uk
W: bishopspalace.org.uk/venue/weddings/
Facebook: @Bishopspalace
Twitter: @Bishops_Palace
Instagram: @bishopspalaceweddings