Wells

The City

Dominated by its stunning Gothic cathedral, the picturesque city of Wells lies where the Mendip Hills meet the Somerset Levels. Recoco property finders will be happy to help you explore this hidden gem, including the cathedral-owned Vicars’ Close, thought to be the oldest residential street in Europe.

You can also ask your Recoco buying agent for more general information on the architecture: much is Georgian. The town’s thriving weekly market is worth a diversion from your property search. The population of Wells in Somerset is around 12,000.

Transport

Wells lies on the A39, one of the main routes through Somerset, and although the A39/A371 bypass has relieved some congestion in town, it remains busy. Wells is close to Bath, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Street, and the Somerset coast including Exmoor.

Buses serve Bath and Bristol, Bridgwater, Frome, Shepton Mallet, Street, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, and Yeovil. The nearest railway station is Castle Cary, just over 13 miles away, and the nearest airport is Bristol, just under 18 miles away.

History

The city is listed in the Domesday Book under Welle. Two wells are in the Bishop’s Palace gardens, with one in the Market Place. Work on the cathedral began in the 12th century, and the town has had a charter to hold a market since the 1100s.

While the city is often called the smallest city in England, the City of London is technically smaller, as your Recoco buying agent can attest.

Education

Wells has four primary schools: St Cuthbert’s Church of England Infants School, St Cuthbert’s Church of England Junior School, St Teresa Catholic Primary School, and Stoberry Park School.

Both secondary schools have excellent reputations, as your Recoco buying agent will be happy to confirm. The co-educational Blue School, with Specialist Science College status, dates from the middle of the 17th century. It has over 1,600 pupils aged 11-18.

For property buyers with musicians in the family, The Music School of Wells Cathedral School, or simply Wells Cathedral School, will be of particular interest. With a Christian ethos, it is one of just five established British musical schools teaching school-age children between 2 and 18.

Leisure and Events

The cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, and schools are often at the heart of activities throughout the year, including concerts and other seasonal events. One quirky activity on offer is watching miniature knights joust on the face of the Wells Cathedral clock, which has a 24-hour astronomical dial. Like the market, it’s an engaging opportunity for a break from your property search. The knights battle every fifteen minutes.

At the Wells Film Centre property buyers can catch up with both current releases and more arthouse films. A voluntary society runs Wells Little Theatre, which holds a variety of operatic and theatrical productions.

If sports facilities are an important aspect of your property search, Wells has two football clubs, and several cricket clubs, with senior, junior and women’s teams. There is also a hockey club, a swimming pool, steam room, sports hall, solarium, and sauna at the Leisure Centre. There is an 18-hole golf club on the edge of the city and Wells has its own skate park.

The cave complexes of both Cheddar and Wookey Hole are nearby. Wookey often has a resident (actress) witch in season (seek reassurance from the Recoco property finders if necessary – she’s unlikely to turn you into a toad).

Celebrity Connections

Famous names associated with Wells include author Elizabeth Goudge, Roger Hollis of Mi5, actor Kris Marshall, and news reader and TV presenter Julia Somerville OBE.

The town itself is also something of a screen celebrity. Ask the Recoco property finders about TV and movie productions filmed here. They include Hot Fuzz, Poldark, Dunkirk, Broadchurch, The Levelling, The Huntsman, and The White Princess miniseries.

Foodies’ Corner

Wells has restaurants offering traditional British fare, seafood dishes, Greek, Indian, Italian, Asian, and Thai. Many eateries are independent; you can even enjoy a meal in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace. Many restaurants cater for vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan diets. 

You’ll also find lively pubs both in Wells and nearby like the Globe, the Crown, and the Ring O’Bells, as well as numerous excellent farm shops, many with cafes attached.

Queen Street Delicatessen in Wells sells a range of food to tempt property buyers, much of it local and organic. Somerset is known for its excellent dairy products and various Cheddar cheeses are usually available, including Wookey Hole, Wife of Bath, and Glastonbury.

Fun Fact

Wells still has a Town Crier.