5 Things to do in Wells, Somerset, the Smallest City in England

Do you like visiting the biggest, tallest, smallest or shortest places, buildings, areas or objects? If so, then you need to put the city of Wells in Somerset onto your itinerary aka the smallest city in England.

We briefly explored Wells back in 2019, when we spent a long weekend road-tripping around the west of England and visited places such as Bath, Bristol, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, a bit of the Cotswolds. In 2021, as we headed towards Dorset and Cornwall for a week, we decided to break up the long drive from Greater Manchester and stop at Wells for a few hours. 

Therefore, this blog post aims to show you what you can do in the smallest city in England, and why you should incorporate Wells into your itinerary if you’re road-tripping around the west of England.

If you’d like to see a more visual tour of Wells and a sneak peak of our upcoming Dorset and Cornwall adventures then make sure to watch our YouTube video by clicking here.

All you need to know about Wells

Located in the county of Somerset, approximately 23 miles (37 km) to the south of Bristol and 22 miles (35 km) from Bath, is the medieval city of Wells. The city is also just on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills which is considered an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

(If you’ve never heard of this designation before, AONB means that the area is both beautiful and important. Therefore, efforts are being made to conserve and enhance its beauty.)

The city’s history goes all the way back to Roman times when proof has been found that there was a settlement here. The reason why this spot became a settlement is because of the springs that rise to the surface here. Wells actually gets its name from the many springs that were found near the cathedral. There are three wells in the city that are dedicated to Saint Andrew (one located in the market place and two at Bishop’s Palace).

Wells became more important under the Anglo-Saxons when a minister church was founded here. Later, Wells became a centre of cloth making and trading. It also played an important part in the English Civil War in the 17th century. Whilst cloth making declined during the 16th and 17th centurys, Wells always kept its market focus. In the 19th century for example, it was home to the largest cheese market in the west of England.

Even the city’s transport connections improved and in the 19th century Wells had three different railway lines. (Unfortunately, these railways have closed down since 1964, leaving the city without railway links.)

Is Wells really the smallest city in England?

There are some countries in the world where in order for a place to gain city status, that town has to have certain (sometimes strict) criteria, including, size, population, presence of certain facilities etc. In the UK, city status was traditionally given to towns with diocesan cathedrals. This was established by King Henry VIII in the 1540s. Today, however, a town doesn’t necessarily have to have a cathedral to gain city status. The status can now be awarded to any communities on different criteria such as the size of its population.

Because of Wells’ Cathedral, Wells has had city status basically since medieval times although its population was only 10,536 according to the 2011 census (12,000 in 2018). 

Okay, but is Wells really the smallest city in England?

Well, since city status can be gained based on a variety of criteria, this makes Wells almost the smallest city based on several measures:

• Based on its boundary area (2.11 sq mi / 5.4 sq km), it is indeed the smallest free-standing city in the UK and in England.
• But the City of London is actually smaller in both area (1.12 sq mi / 2.9 sq km) and population (8,072 in 2011) in England. However, the City of London is part of a larger urban agglomeration, Greater London.
• In addition, based on population in the whole of the UK, Wells is only the fourth smallest city after St Davis (Wales), St Asaph (Wales) and the City of London (England). 

So just to sum it all up, yes Wells is the smallest free-standing city in England based on area, however, based on other measures it’s only the second. 

How to get to Wells

By Car

Wells is less than an hour’s drive from both Bristol and Bath. The fastest way to approach Wells is via the A37 and A39. If you come from Bristol, you can also drive through Mendip Hills AONB, which will be a bit more scenic but also a bit longer.

If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Wells.

Where to park in Wells? – There are quite a few options for parking in Wells. For reference, we parked at Whiting Way Car Park (BA5 2PT) next to Waitrose. It cost around £3 for up to 3 hours. The cost of parking at other car parks is pretty much the same and they are all walkable distances from the centre. 

By Public Transport

If you’re travelling from Bristol, you can take the 376 Mendip Explorer all the way to Wells. The bus leaves from Bristol Bus Station and arrives at Wells Bus and Coach Station. The journey takes just over an hour and runs every 30 minutes. You can plan your journey by clicking here. An all day ticket costs around £7 since you need to buy the West of England Zone ticket. More information on the different zones and prices can be found here. 

By Bike: A mixture of National and Local Cycle Routes run in the vicinity of Wells, and you can also take a cycle trip from Bristol or Bath. More information on cycle routes can be found here. 

5 Things to do and see in Wells

Although you’re visiting the smallest city in England, there is surprisingly plenty to do and see in Wells. I highly recommend spending at least half a day to a day there, exploring its rich history, impressive buildings, photogenic streets and inviting cafés.

1. Visit Wells Cathedral

You can’t go to Wells and not visit one of the main attractions which is also the reason for it’s city status: Wells Cathedral.

The now Grade I listed building was built between 1176 and 1450 to replace an earlier church that was built here in 705. Lacking the Romanesque style, Wells Cathedral is the earliest English cathedral to be built in the Gothic style. Its 46 meter wide west façade has more than 300 sculpted figures. The cathedral was dedicated to St Andrew and it is often called the ‘most poetic’ and ‘one of the most beautiful’ English cathedrals.  

Cost to enter Wells Cathedral – The Cathedral is open again for visitors. There’s no entry fee, however, visitors are encouraged to make a donation. You can find more information on entry and opening times by clicking here.

Please Note – At the time of our visit, the cathedral was all scaffolded up and undergoing some renovations. Luckily, in 2019, we could see it in its full glory.

2. Walk along Vicars’ Close

Adjacent to Wells Cathedral is another must see place, called Vicars’ Close. It is apparently the oldest residential street in Europe!

The first houses along this street were built in the mid 14th century and it was home to a group of chantry priests. There’s a hall and an arched gate at the south end which is considered the main entrance to the close. This part of Vicars’ Close is also connected to Wells Cathedral. At the north end there’s a chapel and library. What’s interesting is that whilst some improvements and repairs have been made over the years, nothing major has happened to the properties so they basically remain the same as they were centuries ago. Today all 27 houses along Vicars’ Close are Grade I listed buildings. 

Another cool feature of Vicars’ Close is the optical trick that the 140 m (460 ft) long stretch of road creates. Since its width is tapered by about 3 m (10 ft), if you stand at the southern end it will look a lot longer than when you look back from the northern end of the close. How cool is that?

Cost to enter Vicars’ Close –  It’s free to explore, but please be respectful as people still live here.

3. Explore Bishop’s Palace and Gardens

Right next to the Cathedral is Bishop’s Palace and Gardens which has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. It is designated a Grade I listed building and open to visitors. Bishop’s Palace is considered one of the best examples of how bishops used buildings to emphasize their political power in the medieval times.

The construction of the Palace started around 1210 after Jocelin of Wells received a crown licence to build a residence and deer park. The Palace was followed by the construction of the Chapel and the Great Hall. Later, in the 14th century the walls, gatehouse and moat were added. In the 15th century the Bishops House was also added. Unfortunately, the Great Hall fell into disrepair and around 1830 it was partially demolished. 

You can enter the Palace through Market Square via an archway called the Bishop’s Eye. You’ll immediately see the moat and the gatehouse with its drawbridge. After crossing the drawbridge you’ll arrive to a croquet  lawn. This is where the ticket office, toilets and a café are located. You’ll need to purchase a ticket if you wish to explore more of Bishop’s Palace and gardens. With your ticket you can access the medieval Palace, the Great Hall, the Bishop’s Chapel and 14 acres of gardens. 

Cost to enter Bishop’s Palace and Gardens – There’s an admission fee of £15 per adult which you can book online. (You can still walk through the Gatehouse and have a sneak peak of the entrance to the palace, the ruins of the great hall, walk up to the north bastion and have a treat at the Bishop’s Table Café without a ticket.)  

4. Visit St Cuthbert’s Church

Located on St Cuthbert street is Somerset’s largest parish church, St Cuthbert’s Church. It is possibly the reason why many people mistake it for the cathedral. The church is also a Grade I listed monument and was built in the 13th century. Later, in the 15th century, the church was altered and only the arcade pillars survive from the original building. Inside, you’ll find the remains of a 13th century reredos (a large altarpiece) in the north transept (St Catherine’s Chapel). In the south transept (The Lady Chapel) you’ll find another reredos based on the Tree of Jesse theme.

Did you know? – In 1975 a lightning strike caused one of the tower pinnacles to fall and the replacement pinnacle remained much paler than the other three.

5. Stroll through Wells Market Place

You can’t really access any of the above buildings without walking through Wells’ Market Place. And why wouldn’t you want to walk around the lively centre of the city right?

To date, the city still has market days held here every Wednesday and Saturday, so make sure to visit the town on those days for the best experience. On Wednesdays they hold a Farmer’s Market here too. In addition, twice a year they have a funfair and other activities. 

Even if you’re visit isn’t on a market day, you can sense the great atmosphere the Market Place has when walking through it. It also has lots of cafes and small restaurants to chose from. On a sunny day, I recommend picking an outside seat and just enjoying your delicious food and the movement of people around you. I think it’s a great way to end your day trip in the city of Wells.

Additional Places and Areas to Visit Around Wells

Unless you live in the area, you probably won’t travel all the way across the UK just to spend a day in Wells right? The good news is that the city of Wells is ideally located near many natural and urban attractions, making it an ideal place to incorporate into your itinerary if you’re exploring the area. So, here is a list of places and areas that are located close to Wells:  

Bristol

If you love a great city break then Bristol is a fabulous destination. The city might not be on everyone’s radar when touring around England, but if you’re exploring the south west of the country I highly recommend
incorporating a stop-over in your itinerary. Bristol has a rich maritime history, amazing architecture, vibrant art and culture. If you’re still not totally convinced, then check out 10 cool reasons to visit Bristol by clicking here. 

Bath, Somerset

If you’d like to be taken back in time, then head over to Bath. The city is well known for its Roman-built baths, rich history, culture and amazing architecture. No wonder that it’s a very popular tourist destination. Bath is actually the largest city in Somerset and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. There are countless things to do and see in the city so make sure to allocate enough time to explore it.  If you’d like to keep your cost low when visiting Bath then make sure to read about 10 things you can do for free in Bath.

Glastonbury

Located only a 15 minute drive from the city of Wells is Glastonbury, famous for its five-day festival and its ancient and medieval sites that are rich in myth. Glastonbury is again a great place for a day-trip as there are quite a few things you can do there. You can stroll around the local shops selling all kinds of oils, herbs, candles and aromatherapy products. You can hike up to Glastonbury Tor to get the best view of the area or visit Glastonbury Abbey. 

Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills ANOB

If you’re a nature lover like me, then you must visit Cheddar Gorge and explore Mendip Hills ANOB. Located only a 30 minute drive northwest of Wells, this limestone gorge is Britain’s highest inland limestone gorge with a maximum depth of 137 m. Cheddar Gorge isn’t only an ANOB, but it’s also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. It was also named as the second greatest natural wonder in Britain, so it’s a must stop! 

The Cotswolds

If you’re seeking something quintessentially English then you must visit the charming, honey-coloured towns and quaint villages of the Cotswolds! Located to the north of Wells it covers an area of 800 square miles and therefore it is the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England.

There’s plenty to see and do in the Cotswolds. So, if you’d like to read more about the area then check out my collection of 8 beautiful towns and 7 picturesque villages you should visit in the area.

Dorset and the Jurassic Coast

If you’re exploring the south-west of England, then you’re likely to visit Dorset, the neighbouring county of Somerset. Half of the county is actually designated as an ANOB and another three-quarters of its coastline is part of the Jurassic Coast Natural World Heritage Site. The Jurassic Coast is definitely packed with some of the most iconic features in England such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, the Isle of Portland, Golden Cap and West Bay, just to mention a few. 

Make sure to check out the following Jurassic Coast blog posts:

• Golden Cap Circular Walk via Langdon Hill, Jurassic Coast, England
• Old Harry Rocks Walk, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England
• Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove Walk, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England
• 7 Things to See on the Isle of Portland Walk, Jurassic Coast, England

Cornwall

If you’d like to feel like you aren’t in the United Kingdom, then Cornwall is a destination you should visit. It forms the westernmost part of the South West Peninsula of Great Britain, neighbouring Devon. The list of stunning beaches, unique coastlines, beautiful towns and historical sites you can visit in Cornwall is endless. So, no wonder that around 25% of the area is designated as an ANOB. In Cornwall you can visit both the southwesternmost point – Land’s End – and the southernmost point – Lizard Point – of mainland Britain. 

Make sure to check out the following Cornwall blog posts:

• A Trip to Camelot? Tips on Visiting Tintagel Castle, Cornwall, UK
• Visiting St Nectan’s Glen. Is It Cornwall’s Best Kept Secret?
• Lizard Point to Kynance Cove Walk, Cornwall, UK
• A Guide to Visiting the The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

Final Thoughts on Wells

Although we visited Wells back in 2019, I didn’t realise how much I’d not seen of the city then. This time we took the time to read about the city beforehand and it definitely made the experience even better. We didn’t even mind that Wells Cathedral was undergoing renovations.

Wells is full of history, beautiful buildings and has such a great atmosphere. Therefore, I really recommend stopping here if you’re exploring Somerset or the southwest of England.

Have you ever been to the city of Wells before? If so, how much of the area did you manage to explore? Let me know in the comments below.