Accessibility Guide for The Bishop's Palace and Gardens

Welcome

Set in the heart of the smallest City in England, The Bishop’s Palace has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. Visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the stunning medieval architecture, moat and 14 acres of RHS partner gardens within the rampart walls.

Highlights of the historic grounds are the well springs that give the City its name, and the famous Wells swans that ring a bell by the drawbridge over the moat to be fed.

We are situated in the centre of the city of Wells which is 21 miles from Bristol and Bath. We are a wheelchair accessible venue.

Please get in touch should you have any particular access requirements.

Watch the video: Palace and Gardens overview

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Ground Floor of Palace Building Upper Floor of Palace Building Visitor Reception and Shop Stable Yard Area The Palace building toilet The Bishop's Table The Chapel The Palace Gardens Inner Gardens Outer Gardens

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Getting here

The Bishop's Palace

Wells

BA5 2PD

Travel by public transport

You can get to The Bishop's Palace and Gardens by bus.

The nearest bus stop (bus route 376) for alighting at the Palace is at the corner of Sadler Street and the Market Square The bus stop is 0.2 miles / 0.3 km from The Bishop's Palace and Gardens .

The nearest bus stop on leaving the Palace would be on Tor Street (0.5m) or the Liberty (0.4miles)

The nearest train station is is Castle Cary (9 miles) from where there are taxi services to Wells.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Cathedral Taxis by calling 01749 672 244.

Parking

There is a drop-off point for cars and other vehicles smaller than a minibus is outside of the main entrance, by Palace Green. For larger vehicles and coaches, the nearest drop off point is on Sadler Street (road approaching the Market Square).

There are three spaces available on site for accessible parking, however, it is necessary to book these at least 48 hours before arrival.

See First Bus South West for details of bus times and tickets. Once you arrive in Wells the streets are a mixture of paved and cobbled surfaces. A tarmac path leads you to the Drawbridge once you are through the Bishop’s Eye. See The Parkopedia website has helpful information about car parks in Wells. The surface from the Blue Badge parking area to the Visitor Reception is level and tarmacked with staff on hand to assist. The Palace is open during daylight hours and additional lighting is provided for evening events.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

The path is 2997mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The main entrance is across the drawbridge which is level with no doors to open. The maximum height for the drawbridge is 2.75 metres and the maximum weight is 2.5 tonnes. The maximum width is 3 metres.

Access from Sadler Street is via the Market Square. This area is cobbled and on a slight incline. To access the Palace visitors need to pass through The Bishop's Eye (archway)

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 1 lift.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Palace building lift

The lift is a platform lift.

The lift door is 889mm wide.

The lift is 1473mm wide. The lift is 965mm deep.

The lift says the floor number at each floor.

The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.

The lift button needs to be held down between floors - this requires some arm strength. Please ask at visitor reception if you would like assistance using the lift.

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Reception and Shop

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1120mm wide, or more.

The door is 990mm wide, or more.

The Visitor Reception is accessed through a heavy, outward opening glass door. Staff are always on hand to assist with opening doors. There is a very slight slope to the doorway but it is on ground level. There is no seating inside but there is outside seating available. The floor is lino and this area has strip and spot lighting. Once inside the shop is level throughout with space for wheelchairs. The displays are at a variety of heights and staff are able to assist as required. On occasions there is background music playing. There is no loop system but there is signage throughout the shop. Staff are happy to assist as required.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Ground Floor of Palace Building

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1120mm wide, or more. The door is 1190mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

The ground floor of the Palace building comprises the Entrance Hall and Undercroft, as well as an accessible toilet and lift access. The door to the Palace is inward opening, heavy and made of wood. This area has stone flooring. There is a door at the far end of the Entrance Hall which leads out to the Gardens. This door is 870 mm wide.

Main door to Ground Floor of Palace Building

Upper Floor of Palace Building

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.

From the lift to this area, the route is 914mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Some of the interpretation in this area includes pictures and diagrams. Floor surfaces are wooden. The rooms on the upper floor comprise the Long Gallery, Panelled Room, Exhibition Room and Drawing Room. There is through access in both directions.

Public toilet

Stable Yard Area

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1120mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 880mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.

There is 914mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1676mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 482mm high. The toilets have handrails.

There are multiple horizontal and vertical grab rails on both sides. There is an emergency cord, should it be needed. There is fluorescent tube lighting.

Public toilet

The Palace building toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1250mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 880mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.

There is 914mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1219mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.

There are multiple horizontal and vertical grab rails on both sides. There is an emergency cord, should it be needed. There is fluorescent tube lighting.

Place to eat and drink

The Bishop's Table

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1120mm wide, or more. The door is 990mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is background music sometimes.

We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs) and vegan specific diets.

The tables are dining style tables and free standing chairs and are 730 mm and 450mm respectively in height. There are no arms on the chairs. There are at least two tables at which there is ample space for a wheelchair. The lighting is fluorescent tubes and spotlights and the menu is available on A4 paper and on blackboards. The staff can read the menu to visitors. Orders are made at the counter and are then brought out by staff to the relevant table. There are always vegetarian and gluten free options available and other dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice. Staff are happy to assist as required. The nearest WC is in the adjacent Stableyard area.

The Chapel

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1250mm wide, or more.

The door is 1041mm wide.

The Bishop's Chapel is accessible via a wooden outer door. The back door to the Chapel, which leads into the Palace, is not accessible for wheelchair users due to steps and a narrow passageway.

Getting around outside

The Palace Gardens

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access.

The route is 838mm wide, or more.

The Palace Gardens are comprised of two main areas - the Inner and Outer Gardens. Entry to the Gardens and paid area of the site is via a pedestrian gate.

Access gate to Palace building and Gardens

Inner Gardens

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1250mm wide, or more. The entrance is 1250mm wide.

The Inner Gardens are a mixture of lawns and formal beds. The pathways are flat and 1800mm width, mostly made of gravel or tarmac. The high Rampart Walk is not accessible to wheelchair users due to steps but the majority of the Inner Gardens are accessible.

Outer Gardens

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 838mm wide, or more. The entrance is 838mm wide.

The outer gardens are accessible via a bridge which is 810mm wide. The pathways are mostly gravel, and mostly 1800mm wide. The outer gardens include the Community Garden, Wells Gardens, including the well pools (large area of water) and Quiet Garden, as well as the Arboretum and children's play area, the Dragon's Lair. The play area is not enclosed. The arboretum has grass paths. The Outer Gardens cannot be accessed via the Bastion Gate by wheelchair users due to steps. Some of the moat walk in the Outer Gardens is inaccessible due to steps.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is in the Stable Yard Area.

The Palace has two assistant-propelled wheelchairs available for use at no extra charge. During summer months it is advisable to book these in advance of the day of visit. We provide water bowls for assistance dogs outside the café.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Staff will assist in the event of an evacuation and there are clearly signed waiting areas for assistance. The signage is mainly white print on teal background with a variety of font sizes. There are pictograms on some signs.