Events 2008

• Spring family activities
• Summer family activities
• Summer Theatre, Concerts and Dining
• Palace Intrusions
• Exhibition Gallery

Download the 2008 Summer Events Flyer

Spring 2008 Family Activities at The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens

Wednesday 16 April, 11am – 4pm 
Wildlife Day

Spring is an exciting time in the life of a garden, why not see how many different types of plants, trees and creepy crawlies you can see in The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens by following our wildlife trails? You can also have a go at bark rubbing and see if you can match the plants to their leaves.

Saturday 3 May, 11am – 4pm
Birds of Prey at The Palace

Following last years success, Birds of Prey are back at The Palace. Come and learn more about the birds and their habits from the expert who cares for them. There will be flying demonstrations at 12pm and 3pm.

Wednesday 28 May, 11am – 4pm 
Make a Bishop’s Hat

Come and try out your skills at making a hat, or Mitre, fit for a Bishop. You can learn more about what Bishops wear and the meaning behind it whilst getting stuck in with the paints and glue!

Sunday 14 September, 10.30am – 5pm
Somerset Wildlife Trust Open Day

Come along and join in the fun with kids activities, walks and talks and a wild plant sale. SWT members come in for £1 with a membership card. Normal admission charges apply to non-members.

All activities are included in the cost of entrance and children must be accompanied by an adult

For further details please ring Helen on 01749 678691

Summer 2008 Family Activities at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 July, 11am – 4pm
Diggin' Around

Come and find out more about being an archaeologist and have a go at finding an identifying some of the treasure from the Bishop's Palace and Gardens.

Thursday 7 August, 11am – 4pm
Medieval Medicine and Palace Potions

Come and learn more about how our ancestors used herbs as medicine and see how they still grow in the garden here at the Palace, workshop run by Bett Partridge.

Thursday 14 August, 11am – 4pm
Have a go at Croquet Day

Come along and learn the basics of Croquet with The Palace Croquet Club. This game was played as far back as the 1300's when the Great Hall of The Bishop's Palace was being built. Now you can play a more modern version in front of the ruins of this hall.

Saturday 16& Sunday 17 August, 11am – 4pm
The Hungerford Household (tbc)

The Hungerford Household are an early Tudor living history group. Come and see how people dressed, what they did as hobbies and join in with some Tudor music and dancing. The fun will be in the gardens, or indoors if the weather is poor.

Thursday 21 August, 11am – 4pm
details tbc

Thursday 28 August, 11am – 4pm
details tbc

All activities are included in the cost of entrance and children must be accompanied by an adult

For further details please ring Helen on 01749 678691

Summer 2008 Theatre, Concerts and Dining

Every Thursday evening in July and August
Last entry at 8pm, grounds close at 9pm.
Late Night Opening - Summer Evening Dining

Take advantage of the beautiful surroundings of The Bishop's Palace and Gardens on the long summer evenings. And why not relax for the evening and enjoy a meal on the terrace?

Season Ticket Holders can bring their guests in for free when they book a table for the restaurant.

The entrance fee will be charged at half price from 5pm:

Adults £2.50, Concessions £2, all children under the age of 18 are free. U14's must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesday 15 July, from 6.30pm
Jazz at the Palace

Bring all the family and a picnic to a great summer evening of jazz at The Bishop's Palace. The Quorum Septet is playing powerfully swinging jazz. A BBQ and licensed bar will be available too. Tickets are £12 adults, £10 students and seniors and £8 children. There is a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more.

Friday 25 July, from 6.30pm
The Tempest

Chapterhouse Theatre Company return to The Bishop's Palace to perform their take on the Shakepeare play in the gardens. Bring a rug and a picnic or take advantage of the bar and BBQ. Tickets are £12 adults £8 students and children and £35 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children)

Sunday 10 August, from 6.30pm
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Chapterhouse Theatre company are coming back again to entertain the family with this ancient tale. All ticket details are as above.

Sunday 24 August, from 6.30pm
Music for the Mind

Vocal Works Gospel Choir are performing in the stunning grounds of The Bishop's Palace. All funds raised are going to support MIND in their work raising awareness about and helping people with mental health issues. Tickets are available from the organiser Richard Lowe on 07787 572062 or www.hrandtrainingsolutions.co.uk/events.htm

Saturday 28 June,
Saturday 19 July,
Saturday 9 August,
Saturday 20 September,
from 7pm
A la Carte Dining

Come and experience and enjoy fine dining in the splendid surroundings of The Bishop's Palace and Gardens. These evenings are very popular so please make sure you book early.

If you have any queries or to make bookings for any of these concerts, theatre performances or dining then please contact:  

Helen Garrett
Event Coordinator
01749 678691

helen.garrett@bishopspalacewells.co.uk

Palace Intrusions…

… is a year long project based at the Bishop's Palace and Gardens and its environs. Beginning in September 2007 monthly events are taking place around the public benches beside the moat that surrounds the Bishop's Palace. The project has been created by Helen Ottaway and Melanie Thompson of Artmusic, an organisation promoting artwork from an assortment of disciplines. Artmusic works to engage new audiences in a variety of creative performance and The Bishop's Palace is delighted to be supporting the Palace Intrusions venture. Artists and Curators will collaborate with individuals and groups on the following projects…

Benchmark 4:
31 May & 1 June 2008

A weekend of talks by local historian, naturalist, archaeologist, musician, agriculturalist and theologian (speakers include Palace Intrusions patron, Charles Hazlewood and The Right Reverend Peter Price, Bishop of Bath and Wells)

Benchmark 5:
2 – 8 June 2008

Sound walks with Duncan Speakman (UK)

Benchmark 6:
7 - 13 July 2008

‘It's a Brass Thing!' music project by Helen Ottaway with local school children, taking place in Frome and Wells (UK)

Benchmark 7:
21 - 27 July 2008

Fiona Haser, artist and pinhole photographer (UK)

Benchmark 8:
11 - 17 August 2008

Stacked Wonky, Dance Performance Company (UK)

Benchmark 9:
25 - 31 August 2008

Performance artist, Hernani Cor and food artist Ingrid Ar (Portugal/France)

Benchmark 10:
1 - 7 September 2008  

Kirsten Lavers, Installation and word Artist (UK)

Benchmark 11:
15 - 21 September 2008   

Singer Melanie Pappenheim working with a local choir (UK)

Benchmark 12:
1 - 30 September 2008

Palace Intrusions Exhibition, Exhibition Room, Bishop's Palace, Wells

Palace Intrusions  
26, 27 and 28 September 2008

Spectacular Performance Finale, Bishop's Palace Gardens, Wells, Somerset.

For further information, please visit www.artmusic.org.uk and www.palaceintrusions.org.uk

See also our Exhibition Gallery Listings