ST5545 : The Bishop's Palace, Wells
taken 10 years ago, near to Wells, Somerset, England
The Bishop's Palace and accompanying Bishop’s House at Wells is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building (English Heritage ID:483259 Link British Listed Buildings).
The building was begun around 1210 by Bishop Jocelin of Wells but principally dates from 1230. The chapel and great hall were added by Bishop Robert Burnell between 1275 and 1292. The walls, gatehouse and moat were added in the 14th century by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury. The Bishop’s House was added in the 15th century by Bishop Thomas Beckington. The great hall later fell into disrepair and was partially demolished around 1830.
The palace was originally surrounded by a medieval deer park. When the walls were built streams were diverted to form the moat as a reservoir. In the 1820s the grounds within the walls were planted and laid out as pleasure grounds by Bishop George Law, who created a reflecting pond near the springs. Parts of the buildings are still used as a residence by the current bishop, however much of the palace is now used for public functions and as a tourist attraction.
Link The Bishop’s Palace website
Link Wikipedia