Bishop's Palace Christmas Artisan Market
Saturday 14 November – Sunday 15 November 2026
The Bishop's Palace and Gardens, Wells, Somerset(BA5 2PD)
This November the medieval Bishop's Palace in Wells, Somerset, is given over to a Christmas market. Some 70 stallholders from the area, crafters, food producers and drink makers among them, come together with handmade presents to choose from: stained glass, silver jewellery, pressed flowers, ceramics and pottery, wooden toys, lino-cut prints and Christmas garlands. New for 2026, a marquee set aside for food and drink brings local cheeses, chocolates, cakes, gin and Lebanese specialities. Wells City Band plays at Saturday lunchtime and a local Rock Choir sings on Sunday morning. A standard ticket also covers the Palace itself and its 14 acres of gardens, and the market is a fundraiser for the Palace and Gardens, which a registered charity runs.
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What to expect
Date & times
Saturday 14 November – Sunday 15 November 2026
Getting there
The Bishop's Palace and Gardens, Wells, Somerset (BA5 2PD for sat nav)
Dogs
Dogs welcome outdoors, on a lead
Accessibility
Available: Wheelchair accessible, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Step-free access, Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Dogs at this market
Dogs are welcome at this market, on a lead, outdoors.
Dogs allowed in:
- Outdoor areas (on a lead)
Dogs not allowed in:
- Indoor areas
Restrictions are in place for the safety and comfort of all visitors and animals.
Notes
Dogs are welcome in the Palace grounds on a lead at all times. They are not allowed in the Dragon's Lair play area, and may not enter the Palace buildings unless they are assistance dogs. The Palace has not published a separate dog rule for the market, so these are its rules for the whole site.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Step-free access
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
The Palace describes wide, level paths throughout the gardens and a platform lift. The high Rampart Walk, the Outer Gardens via the Bastion Gate and the Chapel route from the Palace building have steps. There are two accessible toilets and free wheelchair hire. Three accessible parking spaces on site must be booked at least 48 hours ahead on 01749 988111. This information is for the Palace generally, not the market specifically.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Bishop's Palace Christmas Artisan Market?
It runs on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, from 10am to 4pm each day. The market can be very busy between 11am and 1pm, and visiting from 2pm is quieter.
Where is the market and how do I get there?
At The Bishop's Palace and Gardens in Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD, reached off Market Place through the Bishop's Eye entrance. Wells Bus Station and Market Place are close by, and the Palace is on National Cycle Network Route 3 with cycle racks across the drawbridge and in Market Place. The nearest railway station is Castle Cary, 9 miles from Wells. The Palace's what3words address is ///class.guides.disbelief.
Where do I park?
The Palace has no car park. It is a short walk from all of Wells's central car parks, and the Palace suggests Waitrose's Whiting Way car park (BA5 2PJ, just off the A39) for long stays, or the Morrisons car park on East Somerset Way (BA5 1SQ). Blue Badge spaces on site are very limited: ring the Palace office on 01749 988111 ext 200 to ask about reserving one.
How much does it cost, and do I need to book?
Standard tickets for the 2026 market are £9 for an adult and £5 for a child, and include the market, the medieval Palace and the gardens. A reduced-price ticket for the market only, from 2pm onwards, is £7.50 and is sold on the day. Booking online through the Palace's website gives fast-track entry and guaranteed admission. The Palace's general information says essential carers are free: ask at the Palace shop.
What is there to see and buy?
Around 70 local makers, craftspeople and food and drink producers take part. Stalls sell everything from ceramics, pottery and silver jewellery to stained glass, with lino-cut prints, pressed flowers, wooden toys and Christmas garlands among the gifts. The market is a fundraiser for the Palace and Gardens, which are run by The Palace Trust, a registered charity.
Is there food and drink?
Yes. New for 2026 is a dedicated food and drink marquee with local and specialist producers, selling items such as local cheeses and meats, cakes, chocolates, preserves, gin, rum and Lebanese specialities. The Palace's Bishop's Table Café also serves hot and cold meals, sandwiches and light bites.
Is there live music?
On Saturday 14 November, Wells City Band plays from 12 noon until 2pm. On Sunday 15 November a local Rock Choir performs from 11am.
Are dogs allowed?
The Palace welcomes dogs in its grounds as long as they are kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the Dragon's Lair play area. Dogs may not enter the Palace buildings unless they are assistance dogs. The Palace has not published a separate dog rule for the market, so these are its rules for the whole site.
Is the market accessible for wheelchair users?
The Palace describes its paths as wide and level throughout, with flat, mostly gravel or tarmac paths in the Inner Gardens, and a platform lift (ask at visitor reception for help). The high Rampart Walk and the route into the Chapel from the Palace building have steps and are not accessible to wheelchair users. There are two accessible toilets, one in the Stable Yard area and one inside the Palace building, and free wheelchair hire (best booked in advance). Three accessible parking spaces on site must be booked at least 48 hours before arrival: call 01749 988111. The Palace's access information is not specific to the market, so ask the office before you come if you have particular needs.
Can I have a stall?
The application deadlines for the 2026 market were 28 February 2026 (14 March 2026 for food and drink sellers). How makers and food and drink sellers apply is on the Artisan Stallholders page of the Palace's website.
Is this your market?
This is a basic listing we've put together so visitors can find Bishop's Palace Christmas Artisan Market. If you're one of its organisers, you can claim it — take control of the page, add your schedule, map and more.
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