Wells
The Town
Considering moving to Somerset? Our property search company may recommend the beautiful cathedral town of Wells, where the Mendips meet the Somerset Levels, 21 miles south and east of Weston-super-Mare, 22 miles south and west of Bath, and 23 miles south of Bristol. Ask your Recoco property finder about the population - under 12,000. Often described as England’s smallest city, our buyers agents can tell you Wells is larger than the City of London.
As our property buying agent can explain, at the heart of the city lie the Bishop’s Palace and Cathedral. Your real estate buyers agent can outline highlight notable features, including the famous clock: each quarter hour, tiny jousting knights perform – a delightful diversion from your property search.
History
Our real estate buyers agent can offer a “potted history” to inform your property search. Wells dates from at least Roman times; after a minster church was founded here in 704, the town grew. Ask your Recoco property finder about “Welle” in the 1086 Domesday Book: our boutique buying agents can point out the three wells dedicated to Saint Andrew, one in the market place, two in the Bishop’s Palace and Cathedral grounds. Our buyers agents can confirm the market has 13th century origins.
Ask your independent buying agents about Europe’s oldest residential street, Vicars’ Close: very popular with cathedral choir members. Our property search company can also pinpoint the town’s 300 plus listed buildings.
Transport
The closest rail station is Castle Cary, around 14 miles away. Our property buying agent can help with local bus routes, while Berrys Coaches run a superfast daily London service. Check with your Recoco buying agent.
Local roads are generally well-maintained but occasionally very busy; our real estate buyers agent can offer a property buyer requiring more details. Road links include the A39, A371, and B3139. Buyers agents can show you the nearest motorway junctions, M5 J22 and J23, around 20 miles away.
Education
Your Recoco property finder can confirm Wells schools are highly regarded. Ask your property buying agent about Independent Wells Cathedral School. Our independent buying agents can confirm it’s one of just five specialised musical schools for school-age pupils. The Blue School has specialist science college status, while a property buyer may choose primary schools St Cuthbert’s Church of England Infants School and Junior School, St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School, or Stoberry Park School.
Leisure and Events
Wells has its own museum and an attractive park with adventure play area. In summer, outdoor events take place at the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens and elsewhere. At August Bank Holiday, the Bishop’s Palace hosts Moat Boat races - our boutique buying agents can confirm even the Bishop participates. Cathedral Christmas carol concerts also sell out fast - just ask your Recoco buying agent! Our independent buying agents might also mention the twice-weekly, distinctly French-style market – or ask your property search company about the annual charity summer boules tournament.
If you’d like to factor community events into your property search, Wells has fun runs, vintage and classic car events, May fairs, and comedy and arts festivals including the Wells Art Contemporary and the Sixteen; it’s also on the popular late autumn West Country Carnival route. For culture buffs, Cedars Hall hosts concerts, while Wells Little Theatre hosts live performances year-round, and independent Wells Film Theatre has three screens.
Numerous independent shops may appeal to a prospective property buyer, including shoe shops, a butcher, and a hardware store. Our boutique buying agents can also outline the many sports activities: football, hockey, cricket, swimming pool, sports hall, steam room, gym and sauna at the leisure centre.
Celebrity Connections
Famous former residents include Jocelin of Wells, who helped create the Magna Carta; journalist and newsreader Julia Somerville, and director Edgar Wright. Your Recoco buying agent can tell you Wells is a popular filming location, providing backdrops for the most recent BBC series of Poldark and for big screen productions including The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Dunkirk, The Levelling, the White Princess miniseries, and director Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz. The quirky humour of the latter gives insight to the city’s “personality”.
Foodies’ Corner
Wells eateries include Ensemble, Goodfellows, the Thai Dragon, Italian Rugantinos, the Greek Taverna, Nosh-stalgia, The Good Earth for veggie specialties, and several chains. Turn down Sadler Street to reach the Crown pub. Or Daniel’s Café offers great breakfasts, snacks and sandwiches. Typical market fare, meanwhile, includes fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and pies, and world cuisine from several locations.
Fun Fact
At the Bishop’s Palace, mute swans ring the Gatehouse bell when they want food.