Visitors to The Bishop's Palace in Wells can now step back in time with a new multimedia audio-visual guide, designed to bring the rich history of the medieval site to life in a fun and interactive way.

After months of research, audience consultation, and content creation, the new 45-minute guided tours offer visitors a choice between an adult version or a family-friendly experience, complete with quizzes, treasure hunts, and games. Optional extra content is also available for those who want a deeper dive into the Palace's past.

A high-tech experience for a historic site

The self-guided tours take visitors on a one-way route through the Palace buildings, exploring five key themes with the help of stories, music, imagery, and interactive activities. The experience begins with a welcome video, which provides an introduction to Wells' history, the significance of The Bishop's Palace, and the key stories of the site.

To ensure a smooth experience, volunteers will be on hand at the entrance to help visitors get started with the guides.

The project was developed in consultation with Imagineear, the team behind multimedia experiences at Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour, Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium, and the Natural History Museum, among other prestigious attractions.

More immersive experiences on the way

Merryn Kidd, CEO of The Bishop's Palace, said: "We're delighted to make the guides available to our visitors, without an additional charge, as part of our commitment to developing Palace interpretation."

The introduction of multimedia guides is part of a larger plan to enhance visitor engagement at The Bishop's Palace. In 2025, the Palace will launch an immersive 'living history' room—Bishop Wynne Wilson's Study—featuring tabletop games and an exploratory armoire filled with objects for a hands-on historical experience.

More plans are also in progress for an immersive visitor experience in the Palace's Conference Room, expanding on the interactive storytelling approach.

Who can access the guides?

The audio-visual guides are free to use for all ticket holders, including:

• Annual Pass holders
• Day ticket holders (including the joint Cathedral/Palace ticket)
• Members of the new Friends scheme

This new initiative aims to make the stories of The Bishop's Palace more accessible and engaging than ever before.

For more details, visit The Bishop's Palace website.