Wells – City Guide, UK

If you’re searching for a place that feels like a perfectly preserved secret, a little pocket of pure enchantment, then you’ve found it. This is Wells, home to England’s smallest city. Tucked away like a precious jewel in the soft, green folds of Somerset, just 20 miles from historic Bath and 7 miles from the mystical Glastonbury.

It’s a city born from the very springs that lend it its name, and that sense of natural wonder and quiet, enduring charm that literally flows through every delightful corner. The genuinely unique and easily walkable city is a treasure trove of quirky features and places, in this video we are going to show you exactly what you can do, explore and discover in gorgeous Wells.

1 . Wells Cathedral

Location: Cathedral Grn, Wells BA5 2UE
Cost: Adult: £15.00 // Child (0-17): FREE // Joint Ticket: £22 (Wells Cathedral + Wells Bishop’s Palace)
https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/

At the undeniable heart of Wells, and indeed its very reason for being a city, stands Wells Cathedral. Its most striking feature is undoubtedly the West Front, a breath-taking screen adorned with over 300 intricately carved medieval statues, depicting saints, apostles, kings, and angels. This vibrant narrative in stone, was once brightly painted and would have presented a dazzling spectacle to pilgrims and worshippers alike.

At the time of our visit in July 2025 the west front is being restored back to it’s former glory, this will continue till September this year but just bare this in mind when visiting. We honestly don’t think this ruins the experience, it just gives you a chance to look around more.

Inside, the cathedral continues to astound. Named, the most poetic of the English Cathedral and An encyclopaedia of medieval life, it’s not hard once you step inside to agree with these statements. This 12th century building is a masterpiece, filled to the brim with inspiring and interesting relics and architectural features.

The soaring nave, with its delicate fan vaulting, draws the eye upwards, while the unique and ingenious “scissor arches” in the transepts are a marvel of medieval engineering. These inverted arches, added in the 14th century to prevent the central tower from collapsing, create a visually stunning and almost surreal effect. Something not to miss whilst exploring is one of the oldest working mechanical clocks in the world, dates back to the 14th century and depicts a medieval universe with a 24 hour clock. Similar to the one on the other side of this clock, every 15 minutes jousting knights go round in a tournament.

Take the time to visit the well worn picturesque steps that lead up to the very beautiful and impressive Chapter House. This octagonal marvel chamber was completed in 1306 which is still used on formal occasions today and was once the place where the clergy met to transact cathedral business. Now, it’s central pillar flows down like ripples of water, this room is truly impressive. There is also a chance to visit the cathedrals library which contains a chain library, where books are attached to the shelves with chains to prevent theft which was a common practice in medieval times.

We could carry on listing the various things you can experience and see here, our advice is to come see it for yourself!

2. The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens

Location: The Bishop’s Palace, Wells BA5 2PD
Cost: Adult: £14.00 // Child: (5-17): £7 // Joint Ticket: £22 (Wells Cathedral + Wells Bishop’s Palace)
https://bishopspalace.org.uk/

Adjacent to the Cathedral, and equally steeped in history, is the Bishop’s Palace. This fortified residence, dating back to the 13th century, is a beautiful blend of religious power and defensive necessity. Surrounded by a tranquil moat, complete with a working drawbridge, it feels and looks just like a fairy-tale castle. Perhaps its most charming inhabitants are the famous swans that reside on the moat, apparently trained over generations to ring a bell by pulling a rope when they desire food.

Beyond its defensive features, the Palace grounds encompass stunning gardens, including the beautiful well pools that feed the moat and gave the city its name, and the ruins of the Great Hall, a reminder of past grandeur. The Palace has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years, making it a living piece of history, where the daily lives of clergy and nobility unfolded against a backdrop of both beauty and occasional turmoil.

3. Vicars’ Close

Location: Vicar’s Cl, Wells BA5 2UH
Cost: Free!

Make sure either before or visiting the cathedral, you wander over to Vicars close. This medieval, cobbled street is a must see and very picturesque, it’s the most ‘instagram-able’ location in England’s smallest city. The street was built by Bishop Ralph of Wells in 1348 to house the Vicar’s Choral. These are the sopranos, altos, and bassists of the cathedral that used to sing divine services eight times a day. The bishop created these houses as a residence for the men of the choir to keep them away from the temptations of the town, particularly the women and ale houses.

With the Vicars Choral being much better behaved these days the Close is still lived in by members of the choir which now also includes women! Interestingly it’s physically connected to the cathedral by the chain gate and is known as the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe. Although originally the street was made with 42 residences, this is now 27 houses which are all Grade 1 listed buildings.

4. St Cuthbert’s Church

Location: St Cuthbert St, Wells BA5 2AW
Cost: Free! – Donations Accepted
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11052/

Nearby, the Parish Church of St Cuthburts might not be as impressive as the main event of the cathedral but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out. Many people mistake this church for the cathedral due to its grandeur architecture and size, this impressive chapel with it’s iconic somerset stone tower is a grade 1 listed building dedicated to the illustrious Saxon Saint St Cuthbert.

There has been a church on this site since the end of the 9th century, mainly of wood built throughout King Alfred’s time, then a stone church rebuilt in the later 12th to 15th centuries. It’s interior is a stand out, the magnificent 16th century painted roof is just incredible, with stunning angels and intriguing crests and symbols it’s a complete wow factor.

5. Wells & Mendip Museum

Location: 8 Cathedral Grn, Wells BA5 2UE
Cost: Adult: £6 // Child: (5-17): £3 // Family: £12
https://www.wellsmuseum.org.uk/

Just nearby Wells Cathedral on the Green is the Wells & Mendip Museum which was founded by Herbert Balch in 1893. He was a famous geologist who was a pioneer for many techniques used by cavers still today. Living in the Mendip Hills is perfect for a cave lover with the likes of Wookey Hole and Cheddar nearby.

His impressive collection of Victorian artifacts is now on display in the museum for all to enjoy. As well as admiring his collection, you can see exhibits in the prehistoric area of the Mendips with its fascinating cave systems and geology. Also, you can learn about the history and culture of the city with some local heroes who fought in the First World War. Admission is on the screen, honestly it’s well worth visiting if you’re into learning about it’s culture and history and the volunteers there are absolutely lovely and give you plenty of tidbits of information on Wells.

6. Wells Market Place

Location: Market Pl, Wells BA5 2SG
Cost: Free!

The weekly markets are held each week in the historical market place at the top of the high street, at Wells market you’ll find over 50 different stalls selling an array of interesting, tasty and amazing merchandise and hand crafted goods.

The diverse mix of high quality good stalls has enabled the market to win a good award in the taste of the west hospitality and retail awards. The market has also been judged as Best South West Farmers Market. It’s a vibrant mix which is always busy with a wide range of wonderful food stalls and artisan crafts that you just cant help but look at.

7. Mendip Hospital Cemetery

Location: 25-27 Hooper Avenue, Wells BA5 3NA
Cost: Free! Donations Accepted
https://mendiphospitalcemetery.org.uk/

For an unusual but very interesting spot to visit, we recommend a explore around the Mendip Hospital Cemetery. Open on Wednesday’s and Sunday’s, This cemetery was established by a group of visitors who used to work at the Somerset and Bath Pauper Lunatic Asylum which was founded in 1848. They bought a section of land on Bath Road in Wells to use as a cemetery in 1873.

Some 2,900 people were buried here, many in anonymous graves due to having mental health issues. These were things that were very much misunderstood when the cemetery first opened. Later, it was called the Tone Vale Hospital then the Mendip Hospital and closed its doors in 1991. However, the cemetery has been preserved and is now both a nature reserve and a living memorial to the poor souls buried here.

While you’re here, you can explore the grounds with their chapel that has been sympathetically restored. The site has been cared for entirely by dedicated volunteers, who when we visited made the trip even more special.

They are fantastically informative, friendly and warm and gave some real insight to the hospital, it’s history and some great local tips for wells too. Your visit here is completely free but they run entirely on donations, it’s worth popping some money down to keep this amazing site here for future generations.

8. Hot Fuzz Film Locations

Location: Market Place, Wells BA5 2RP
Cost: Free!

Wells has become a surprisingly popular backdrop for film and television, its authentic medieval and Georgian streetscapes provide an ideal setting. Most famously, the city served as the primary filming location for Edgar Wright’s cult comedy Hot Fuzz, where it transformed into the seemingly idyllic, yet secretly sinister, village of “Sandford.”

Fans of the cult film can easily recognize iconic spots like the Market Place, which features prominently in the film’s memorable car chase and climactic shootout. The exterior of The Crown pub was used for the local watering hole, and City News served as the shop where Sergeant Angel and Danny would grab their beloved Cornetto’s.

So that’s Wells — a little city with a big soul. Wandering its cobbled streets feels like stepping into a storybook that’s still being written, with every clock chime, stained glass shimmer, and swan-call across the moat adding another beautiful line.

Whether you came for the cathedral, the quirky history, the film locations, or just to chase that quiet sense of wonder—we hope you’ve fallen for it like we have. There’s something grounding about this place. It doesn’t shout, it hums. Gently. We hope this guide has given some inspiration to visiting England’s smallest city and showing you that there is plenty of interesting places in the UK worthy of a visit.

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Till Next Time!