As the festive season gets well and truly underway, the gardens of the Bishop's Palace in Wells is getting ready to light up for Christmas.

The gardens of the historic palace will be transformed into winter wonderland with stunning outdoor illuminations, festive workshops, Father and Mother Christmas, music and food,

The halls of the medieval Palace building will be well-and-truly decked with seasonal foliage from the Palace Gardens creating stunning adornments to complement the historic interiors. Visitors will enter the entrance hall with its roaring fire and explore the rooms of the Palace, which will also include the return of the popular local schools Eco-Exhibition.

Visitors can also explore the inner gardens which will be illuminated with festive decorations and Christmas Illuminations during special late night openings

The gardens will be lit up when the sun starts to fade, at around 3.30pm on the late opening evenings and the last entry is 6.30pm, with the inner gardens open until 7pm.

The Bishop's Table café will be serving its festive menu and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings Denela's Bakery will also be tempting visitors with a hog roast.

Father and Mother Christmas will be returning to meet local families and storytellers will be sprinkling some Christmas magic with tales of Christmas past on December 11, 18, 19, 20 and 21 at 11am and 3.30pm with no booking required.

Wells Theatre Company will also be performing a reading of the classic Dickensian tale Dickensian tale 'A Christmas Carol' in the Undercroft on December 10 and 17 at 11am, 12.30pm and 3pm. No booking for the performances is needed.

The 'Swing into Christmas' concert on Saturday December 3 at 7.30pm will see John and the Capitol Band perform a wide repertoire of songs from the great American songbook.

Tickets are £17.50 for the 90 minute concert (including interval) and available via the Palace's website.

Creative types may be tempted by two festive workshops – wreathmaking on Saturday December 8 at 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm and candle making on December 11 from 11am-2pm.

Entrance to all events and activities (excluding the concert and workshops) is included with any standard admission to The Bishop's Palace which allows for 12 months of return visits on any normal sightseeing day.

The Bishop's Palace and Gardens has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and the medieval palace, along with its 14 acres of RHS partner gardens, is open for all to enjoy.

Tickets:

Access to the Christmas Illuminations is included with any valid admission to the Bishop's Palace, including The Bishop's Palace's 12-month Admission Ticket (£16 Adult/£8 Child). You can purchase at the Ticket Office or prior to your visit online.