Family Visits

Families welcome at Wells Cathedral with creative activities, Explorer Backpacks and more!

Family Holiday Activities

During the holidays, join us at the Cathedral for creative family fun! With arts, crafts and other activities inspired by the Cathedral or by visiting exhibitions, our holiday activities are designed to help children discover and get creative.

Family holiday activities are FREE with adult entry and take place in the Education Room (unless otherwise advertised).

Join the Fun – Upcoming Events:

Bishop Bubwith Centenary Tuesday 29 to Thursday 31 October, 10.00-16.30
We’re back this October half term with family holiday activities to celebrate our wonderful library and the 600^th anniversary of Bishop Bubwith who instructed it to be built. You can follow a trail and find out about medieval doodles, visit the library, try illuminated lettering and make a mini chained library book to take home.
There’s no need to book – simply drop in when the sessions are one.

This event is FREE with adult entry to the Cathedral. (There is no charge for children. Standard adult admission tickets include re-entry for 12 months from date of purchase, so you can enjoy access to a number of seasonal events, including exhibitions and Family Holiday Activities beyond your initial visit.)

Wells Eco Week: The Mossy Carpet Saturday 12 October, 10.00-12.00 and 13.00-15.00, Wells Cathedral Education Room

Families are also warmly welcomed to take part in activities at the Cathedral during Wells Environmental Network’s ECOWEEK+ from 11-20 October 2024.
Did you know that mosses are climate superheroes? Join us to find out more about this tiny but hugely important plant as we take part in Art and Energy’s Mossy Carpet Project
Watch a short film, look at mosses under the lens, and get creative with wool, contributing to a massive moss inspired artwork which celebrates the actions we are taking for our planet.
Open to adults and children of all ages and abilities (children must be accompanied by a responsible adult).
This event is FREE with adult entry to the Cathedral. (There is no entry charge for children.)
Only assistance dogs are allowed at this activity.

With thanks to Art and Energy’s Mossy Carpet project.

Explore – watch short films about the Mossy Carpet project and about the superhero qualities of moss. Search for moss in the Cathedral grounds and look at our collected examples up close to appreciate their beauty and complexity.

Create – get creative and make a woolly tuft of moss inspired by what you’ve seen. You can knit it, crochet it, stitch it or make a pompom. All the tufts will be added to Art and Energy’s giant mossy carpet which will be displayed to coincide with COP30 next year.

Discover – just as tiny mosses play a huge role in combatting the impacts of the climate emergency, so our own small, positive actions add up to help make a better world. What little steps can we all make to help? Phone your message in to the project and it will be incorporated into the final artwork.

Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and only assistance dogs are allowed in the Education Room.

Explorer Backpacks

Children and young people can discover the Cathedral with our new ‘Explorer Backpacks’, available to borrow from the Welcome Desk. Armed with a map and activity cards, find the matching sensory tools to help you explore. For example, at the clock, watch the jousting knights and ring a bell! You’ll also find a mini embroidered cushion to smell, a magnifying glass for close-up viewing, a soft, cuddly cat to stroke and of course a compass to help lead the way!

Whenever you choose to visit, ask for one of our Free Family Trails at the Welcome Desk designed to suit a range of ages. With our changing themes such as Christmas, Easter, stained glass, saints, and shapes, as well as our children’s guide, there’ll always be something new to discover in the Cathedral!