The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

The Bishop's Palace in Wells is one of those places that stops you mid-stride. You're walking through the cathedral close and suddenly there's a moat - an actual working moat - surrounding a medieval palace that's been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for nearly 900 years. The current building dates largely from the 14th century, though it's been patched and extended plenty of times since.

What you get is a proper wander through rooms that feel lived-in rather than museum-sterile: state rooms with period furniture, a chapel, and gardens that spill down to the water's edge. The moat itself is the real showstopper - there's something about that medieval defensive feature still holding water that makes history feel tangible rather than theoretical. The swans are a fixture; they've apparently been trained to ring a bell when they want feeding, though I'd take that claim with a pinch of salt.

History buffs will absolutely be in their element here. Families with younger kids might find a single hour enough - there's the novelty of the moat and gardens to explore, but it's not a high-energy visit. If you're staying at Cathedral View Glamping just down the road, you're practically on the doorstep.

Wells itself is compact and walkable, so pairing this with the cathedral and the high street shops makes for a solid half-day. Check opening hours before you go - they're seasonal and vary. Well worth the detour if you're camping nearby.