Wells is the smallest city in England and proves that good things come in small packages - it’s a captivating location! Wells is a picturesque historic city in Somerset, which is perfect for a rather relaxing and intimate getaway.
Immerse yourself in Wells and visit the city's most iconic landmarks and locations.
Wells Cathedral
Conceived by Reginald Fitz Jocelin, a medieval bishop of Bath, and dedicated to St Andrew the apostle, Wells Cathedral has been named ‘one of the most poetic English cathedrals’. It remains the seat of the bishop of Bath and Wells today and contains one of the most substantial collections of medieval stained glass in England. We highly recommend booking a tour, for you to take in the cathedral’s magnificence.
Bishop's Palace
Home to the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years, this Grade 1 listed building was started around 1210 by Bishops Jocelin of Wells and Reginald Fitz Jocelin. The chapel and great hall were later added by Bishop Robert Burnell between 1275 and 1292 and the walls, gatehouse and moat were added in the 14th century by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury. The final addition of note was the Bishops House added in the 15th century by Bishop Thomas Beckington. Whilst parts of the buildings are still used as a residence by the current bishop, much of the palace is now used for public functions and as a tourist attraction. We do recommend setting aside some time for the gardens here as they are incredibly alluring and offer a tranquil space to relax.
Vicars' Close
Vicars' Close is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe. The street is made up of numerous Grade I listed buildings, comprising 27 residences (originally 44), built in the 14th and 15th centuries for Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury. A chapel and library at the north end, a hall at the south end over an arched gate and connected at its southern end to the cathedral by way of a walkway over Chain Gate. The Close is about 460 feet (140 m) long and paved with setts. The Vicars' Hall was completed in 1348 and included a communal dining room, administrative offices and treasury of the Vicars Choral.
Moat Walk
The centre of Wells has barely changed in several hundred years, meaning the original moat walk is still possible today. William Simes made a map in 1735 for a short walking tour around the centre of Wells. Starting from the marketplace, it takes in the Bishop's Palace, Tithe Barn, Vicars' Close, and the Cathedral. There is a PDF of the moat walk you can download and take with you, which has been reproduced by the Wells Somerset website. This will make for a lovely afternoon meander before you stop for afternoon tea.
