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.

Stone bosses where the supporting ribs meet on the ceiling are covered with representations of oak leaves and the Green Man.

He had an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells, partly because of his imposition of taxes,[6] and surrounded his palace with 5 metres (16 ft)[7] crenellated walls,[8] a moat and a drawbridge.

The proposal had aimed to get rid of some of the rotten boroughs and give Britain's fast growing industrial towns such as Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford and Leeds greater representation in the House of Commons; however, there was no rioting in Wells.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1548, Bishop Barlow sold Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset the palace and grounds.

He created a "more picturesque ruin" by removing the south and east walls and laying out and planting the area previously occupied by the great hall.

[17][18][19] The palace was used as a garrison for troops in both the English Civil War and Monmouth Rebellion after which it was used as a prison for rebels after the Battle of Sedgemoor.

[20] Bishop Kidder was killed during the Great Storm of 1703, when two chimney stacks in the palace fell on him and his wife, while they were asleep in bed.

[28] The main palace is open to the public, including the medieval vaulted undercroft, chapel and a long gallery, although the Bishops House is still used as a residence and offices.

[32][33] Other productions that used this location in 2015-2016 included Galavant, Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip, Escape to the Country and Holiday of My Lifetime, in addition to The White Princess.

The palace is accessible from the adjacent market place through an archway known as The Bishop's Eye in the gatehouse to the walled precinct.

[44] The Bishop's Eye forms one of a pair with the Penniless Porch which is the gateway into the Cathedral from the market place, which was built at the same time and in a similar style.

[20][47] The Palace Camery was planted with orchards, a herbarium and kitchen gardens to provide food for the Bishop and staff.

[49] The water emerging from the spring originates from the cave system of the Mendip Hills including Thrupe Lane Swallet.

The barn was built of local stone roughly squared, with Doulting ashlar dressings and a Westmorland slate roof.

[20] This included the incorporation of the remains of the roofless great hall and the construction of a raised rampart around the inside of the wall accessible from one of the towers.

Bishop Law also created a grotto which he used to display fossils from Banwell Caves which were also part of his estate.

[56] A range of trees and shrubs were planted including: a black walnut, Lebanon cedar, catalpa and ginkgo.

[58] In the outer garden is an arboretum, planted in 1977 by Bishop John Bickersteth to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

[60] Two swans which were given to the bishop by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006, are still able to ring for lunch fed to them by the caretakers who live in the gatehouse.