Ready, Set, Play!
With the school holidays now in full swing, we’re pleased to be able to offer more to do than ever at the Cathedral this summer! Families can enjoy a range of activites, including tours, children’s trails, arts and crafts, and giant garden games, all while exploring this beautiful place—be it the first time or the fiftieth! Full details below…
Games in the Camery Garden
Discover the joy of outdoor play in the beautiful Camery Garden at Wells Cathedral. Our Garden Games are perfect for children and families to enjoy during visiting hours, set among fragrant herbs and colourful flower beds in this tranquil corner of the Cathedral grounds.
Challenge your family to a friendly match of giant Jenga, Connect Four, Corn Hole or Dominoes—the choice is yours! Children can also have fun discovering the garden’s historical surprises, including the hidden peep-hole view to the ancient St Andrew’s Well! Can you work out where it is?
Explorer Backpacks
Our popular Explorer Backpacks are also available to hire from the Welcome Desk to help children and young people engage with the Cathedral in a hands-on and imaginative way.
Each backpack includes a map, activity cards and sensory tools—such as a bell to ring by the clock, a magnifying glass, a soft toy cat to stroke, and even a tiny cushion to smell. A compass helps guide their journey as they explore the historic spaces around them.
Summer Explorers: Family Holiday Activities
Running from late July through August 2025, our free drop-in Family Holiday Activities take place every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10.30am to 3.30pm in the Education Room and Camery Garden. Enjoy themed nature-based activities designed for children and young people of all ages:
Tuesday 29 July– Beautiful Butterflies
Wednesday 30 July – Feed the Birds
Tuesday 5 August – Flowers and Foliage
Wednesday 6 August – Beautiful Butterflies
Tuesday 12 August – Flowers and Foliage
Wednesday 13 August – Feed the Birds
Tuesday 19 August – Watery Wells (with Somerset Rivers Authority)
Wednesday 20 August – Flowers and Foliage
Activities include butterfly art, bird spotting, clay modelling, dam building, and more. All sessions are free with adult entry, and there is no need to book—just turn up on the day. Please note that children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Assistance dogs only are permitted at these activities.
Children’s Lunch Boxes
Phew! After expending all that energy, why not settle down for a bite to eat in our atmospheric café, The Loft?
Children’s Lunch Boxes are available to order and takeaway throughout the day for only £5.50—pick your box, choose your sandwich, and grab some crisps, fruit, juice, and a chocolate treat to go inside!
The Loft Café is open daily from 10.00–16.00 near the main exit of the Cathedral, and offers a variety of hot drinks, light lunches and afternoon teas. We cater for a variety of fietary needs and allergies, so please don’t hesitate to ask if you need any help.
Top Tips
Ask at the Welcome Desk when you arrive for directions to the Camery Garden, which is located on the north side of the Cloisters. Follow the signs to find the games and garden.
You can also collect one of our Free Primary or Secondary Trail Leaflets, available in a variety of changing themes throughout the year—such as Christmas, Easter, stained glass, saints, and shapes. There’s always something new to discover!
Admission is free for visitors aged 18 and under. Adult admission includes free re-entry for 12 months, so you can return for future events, trails, exhibitions, and family-friendly activities throughout the year.
Whether you’re planning a full family day out or just looking for a quiet moment of play, Wells Cathedral’s Camery Garden and family activities offer a warm welcome to visitors of all ages. Come and discover something new today!