Bishop's Palace prepares for medieval Bank Holiday takeover

By Laura Linham 24th Aug 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 minutes ago

Archers, swordsmen and a full medieval encampment are preparing to take over The Bishop's Palace in Wells for three days over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Historical re-enactment group Bowlore will bring its History Alive programme to the Palace from Saturday, 29 August to Monday, 31 August, with the event running from 9.30 am until 5.30 pm each day.

Visitors will be able to wander through a living medieval camp and meet costumed re-enactors demonstrating everything from cooking and traditional crafts to military drills and battlefield skills.

The weekend will also feature scheduled archery and weapons demonstrations, with rather more steel involved than the average Bank Holiday outing.

Archery shows will take place at noon on Saturday and Sunday, before moving to 10.30 am on Monday. The displays will feature longbows and crossbows, different types of arrowhead and a finale pitting sword against arrow.

Weapons demonstrations will follow at 2.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday and 2.15 pm on Monday, featuring swords, polearms, quarterstaffs, spears and maces alongside choreographed combat.

The shows will include commentary and opportunities for audience participation, with organisers saying they are suitable for all ages.

Between the main demonstrations, visitors will be able to explore hands-on displays covering medieval weapons and armour, battlefield medicine, alchemy, traditional games and crafts.

There will also be opportunities to try archery and take part in a sword school throughout the weekend. Those activities cost £3 per person, while the weapons and armour displays are included with entry.

The re-enactment is part of The Bishop's Palace's wider History Alive programme, which has already brought wartime Britain to the grounds this summer and will see Vikings arrive in September.

The medieval weekend itself is included with standard admission to the Palace, including day tickets, annual passes, joint tickets with Wells Cathedral and Friends of the Palace membership. Advance booking is not required.

Visitors can also explore the medieval Palace buildings, Undercroft and 14 acres of gardens during their visit, while the Dragon's Lair play area and other family facilities will remain available.

For a building that has spent more than 800 years surrounded by medieval history, the Palace will be getting rather closer to its roots than usual — albeit with considerably fewer genuine sieges to worry about.

More information is available from The Bishop's Palace medieval re-enactment weekend.