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Bishop's Palace is a medieval fortified residence located in Wells, Somerset, which served as the administrative and residential centre of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The surviving structures, including substantial sections of perimeter walls and a well house, date primarily from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, representing one of the finest examples of a bishop's palace from this period in England. The fortifications, comprising crenellated walls and defensive features, reflect both the episcopal authority and the practical need for protection during the medieval period. The site's architectural remains demonstrate the considerable wealth and power invested in episcopal establishments during the High and Late Medieval periods.
Bishop's Palace ruined portions, walls and well house is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1006201. View the official record →
Bishop's Palace is a medieval fortified residence located in Wells, Somerset, which served as the administrative and residential centre of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1006201.
Bishop's Palace ruined portions, walls and well house is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1006201.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bishop's tithe barn (0.2 km), Medieval standing cross 80m south of St Mary's Church (4.1 km), Fenny Castle Cross: a medieval wayside cross 20m north west of Castle Farm, Castle (4.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Bishop's Palace ruined portions, walls and well house's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Bishop's Palace ruined portions, walls and well house stands on Triassic Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Triassic. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.