The Bishop's Palace is a hidden treasure at the heart of the medieval city of Wells, Somerset. Home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells since 1206, it is a site of local, national and international significance. Many of the buildings are ancient monuments and the gardens enclose the prehistoric wells, which give the city its name.
Steeped in history, the Grade One listed building and its beautiful gardens are undergoing a £4.8m transformation. Thanks to funding from Valencia Communities Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Church Commissioners, the beautiful, medieval buildings within the moat can be preserved and made more accessible to the general public.
The central aim of the project is to strengthen the bonds between the Bishop's Palace and the Wells population, making the Palace a focus of community activity. Valencia Communities Fund funding of £750,000 will be key to developing a new community garden and orchard, which offer a productive green space for local groups and residents, producing food, encouraging wildlife and acting as a venue for schools' groups and local organisations. In addition, funds will be used to re-landscape the Palace green, making the area a more welcoming entrance. Paths throughout the site will be resurfaced and historic bridges will be restored.
