It may be one of many smallest cities in England however don’t let its measurement idiot you – it’s unbelievable to go to. Not solely that, there’s a heap of the perfect issues to do in Wells (and simply exterior) that make it a fantastic little vacation spot in Somerset.
Through the years, we’ve visited Wells a great deal of instances and it by no means will get outdated! Nicely, really it does (it’s actually historic) however a go to is at all times unbelievable and it’s a complete pleasure to discover.
Even for those who don’t fancy spending ages in Wells, you possibly can simply go to for a day journey too. It’s not too removed from the perfect spots in Bristol and all of the historical past in Tub.
So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your time, I’ve popped over some gems that we love a lot! This fashion, you possibly can spend your time strolling the cobbled streets and exploring all the town’s historical past.
Have a look, under, at the perfect issues to do in Wells in Somerset. Have a tremendous go to!
1.) Wells Cathedral
Okay, let’s begin with the massive ones… you possibly can’t go to Wells with out exploring Wells Cathedral. It’s completely iconic and simply one in every of England’s most wonderful buildings to see.
In actual fact, It’s England’s first Gothic cathedral and it’s stated that development took a whopping 300 years!
The cathedral’s magnificence is jaw-dropping and might be seen all throughout the town. It towers over the streets and the entire constructing is beautiful, particularly its west façade.
You’ll see what I imply while you go to! In spite of everything, it measures 46 metres throughout and holds greater than 300 sculpted figures which can be unbelievable.
A 14th-century astronomical clock and an octagonal chapter home inside present guests a glimpse of the town’s previous and heritage.
The artful inverted arches, or ‘scissor arches’, and cloisters are equally beautiful. You’ll wish to spend a great hour (if not longer) exploring it absolutely.
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2.) Vicars’ Shut
Presumably one in every of my favorite streets in Somerset, Vicar’s Shut is a spectacular Shut (or road) proper beside Wells Cathedral.
In actual fact, it’s the oldest surviving residential road in all of Europe.
As you stroll from the cathedral you’ll stroll by the long-lasting passageway to the 14th century!
With medieval homes and constructions which have withstood the movement of time, it’s the form of place the place time has actually stood nonetheless.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in close by Tub
3.) Wells Market Place
The Wells Market Place is a historic buying and selling and purchasing spot not too removed from Wells Cathedral.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, locals arrange an open-air farmers’ market the place native merchandise reminiscent of recent greens and honey turn into out there. It’s completely beautiful, particularly for those who’re in search of native produce and treats.
Additionally, hold your eyes peeled for the historic gateways of Wells Market Place. The Penniless Porch and the Bishop’s Eye are a should to see.
Fancy a cuppa? Cease by Twentyone that’s proper on Market Place. They’ve the yummiest muffins and teas.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Bristol
4.) The Previous Deanery & Bishop’s Barn
Visiting the Previous Deanery is one other probably the greatest issues to do in Wells that you just shouldn’t miss.
Identified for its Fifteenth-century home, outbuildings, and Tudor-style gardens, this Grade I listed construction is a witness to 800 years of historical past and gives an ideal view of the Cathedral in addition!
It’s the form of spot that basically reveals off the historical past of Wells and nicely price taking a gander as you stroll the town streets.
Alongside Silver Avenue close to the Bishop’s Palace, is Bishop’s Barn, a Grade I-listed constructing within the metropolis. The property is without doubt one of the 200 historic constructions to stay standing within the UK till right this moment.
It’s constructed utilizing native limestone, whereas its ashlar window and door dressings are constructed from the supplies quarried at Doulting within the Mendip Hills.
Established within the Fifteenth century, the tithe barn served as part of the Bishop’s Palace and earned fame for holding Royalist troops in the course of the Bloody Assizes.
These days, it’s nicely price slightly look and can solely take you a couple of minutes to go to from the palace.
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5.) Bishop’s Palace
Constructed again within the thirteenth century, Bishop’s Palace is certainly one of many metropolis’s finest locations to see.
The 14-acre palace is surrounded by a centuries-old moat and fortifications that’s so beautiful.
For greater than 800 years, the Bishops of Tub and Wells took residence within the palace and have become an integral a part of the town.
These days, the Bishop’s Portrait Corridor reveals historic particulars of the property and its residents by the centuries and is nice for a nosey round.
Oh, and make sure to spot the chapel with a shocking vaulted ceiling, too.
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6.) Wells and Mendip Museum
You’ll begin to discover that every thing in Wells is inside straightforward attain of the Cathedral! Nicely, Wells and Mendip Museum is one other a kind of.
Housing a whole lot of superb assortment of Victorian artefacts, it’s probably the greatest issues to do in Wells if you wish to discover the broader historical past of the area.
Among the many museum’s prime sights are prehistoric reveals of the Mendips. Right here, you’ll get to see lead ingots from the Roman Period, an Ichthyosaur fossil, and a skeleton discovered within the Wookey Gap Caves. As soon as upon a time, it was deemed the witch of Wookey Gap!
The museum, which was based in 1893 by naturalist, caver and geologist, Herbert Balch, hosts exhibitions all year long and has its doorways open from Mondays to Saturdays. This implies it is best to keep away from making an attempt to go to on Sunday when it stays closed.
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7.) Glastonbury Tor
Round a 15-minute drive from the centre of Wells, Glastonbury Tor is a feast for the eyes! It’s probably the greatest issues to do in Wells for those who fancy slightly outing of the town, particularly for some views.
Take a ramble to the highest of the mound and see the views all throughout the area. It’s completely stunning and price each step to the highest!
Not your factor? Head throughout to Stoberry Home and Backyard that’s inside straightforward attain by automobile.
Sitting on excessive floor that overlooks the Vale of Avalon, the six-acre land gives breathtaking views of Wells Cathedral and the rolling fields stretching in the direction of the Glastonbury Tor.
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8.) Ashton Windmill & Wookey Gap Caves
Nice for slightly day journey from Wells, Ashton Windmill and Wookey Gap Caves are each epic to go to.
The Wookey Gap Caves is fairly well-known within the South of England and never too removed from Wells. This implies it’s an ideal spot to incorporate as a part of a wider roadtrip across the space.
This prehistoric cave space, comprising a number of the nation’s greatest caves and is full of hundreds of years of geological historical past.
A spotlight of the go to to those caves is the distinctive stalagmite within the first chamber, which has beforehand sparked a legend a couple of medieval witch who became stone when a monk splashed her with holy water.
Now, the temperature contained in the caves is continually chilly at 11°C. This implies it is best to take layers with you to remain good and toasty.
Relationship again centuries, Ashton Windmill is just a bit additional west from Wells. Although, it’s completely straightforward to go to for those who’re heading throughout to the coast at Weston-Tremendous-Mare. Sure, you would possibly solely spend 15-minutes taking all of it in however it’s nonetheless price a cease.
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9.) St Cuthbert’s Church
Though it’s typically mistaken as Wells Cathedral, St. Cuthbert’s Church has a charming enchantment that’s straightforward to go to after exploring the close by Cathedral.
Its magnificent chapel, with its stone tower, earns its recognition as a Grade I listed constructing and is taken into account the most important parish church within the metropolis and nicely price visiting.
Don’t neglect to see the Fifteenth-century panelled ceiling, too. It was hid by plaster for 200 years however now restored for us all to see.
Oh, and hold your eyes peeled for the coats of arms of Charles I and Charles II will also be seen on the pulpit.
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10.) Mendip Hills & Cheddar Gorge
If you happen to’re in search of outside adventures in your journey, Mendip Hills is the place to go.
Domestically often known as the Mendips, these limestone hills South of Tub and Bristol is a good spot to go to. Not solely that it’s dwelling to Cheddar Gorge that’s completely beautiful to go to.
Absorb a number of the trails across the gorge, take a gander within the caves and take a look at some cave-aged cheese from the little outlets throughout the gorge itself.
Not too removed from these pristine hills is Pen Hill, the second-highest level within the metropolis, towering at 305 metres above sea stage.
The entire space is steeped in Historical past, with early settlers calling this space dwelling. Apparently, a few of these dates again to Paleolithic and Mesolithic instances. They’ve even discovered stays of Roman Mines, too.
It’s such a particular space and simply probably the greatest issues to do in Wells while you go away the town for a day journey.
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