The Bishop of Bath and Wells, The Right Reverend Michael Beasley, officially opened the new visitor reception at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens in Wells on Monday, 8 January 2026, blessing the redeveloped Stable Yard space during a welcome ceremony.

The project, delivered by The Palace Trust, aims to improve accessibility and visitor flow at the historic Somerset site, while supporting the charity's long-term financial sustainability through enhanced retail and café facilities.

The redesigned reception includes a purpose-built ticket office and shop, along with an accessible entrance and direct access to the South Lawn. The space replaces the former temporary ticket office located at the rear of the Bishop's Table café.

Merryn Kidd, CEO of The Palace Trust, said: "We had a bumper year in 2025, welcoming over half a million visitors over the drawbridge and 152,000 visits to our historic site. We have really struggled to accommodate visitors with access needs, so are delighted to now open the new Visitor Reception and shop which we believe will make a significant difference to the way we can welcome all of our visitors going forwards."

The Stable Yard area, believed to have once housed domestic buildings serving the fourteenth-century Great Hall, now hosts the improved arrival experience.

Income from the expanded shop and café space will be reinvested into caring for the Grade I-listed Palace and its gardens.

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