Where is it?
Wells Visitor Information Service
Wells Museum
8 Cathedral Green
Wells
BA5 2UE

Wells is the smallest city in England as although the population is only around 12,000 inhabitants it has a 13th century Cathedral.

Although small it is a truly lovely city with its unspoilt cobbled streets and buildings yet having a remarkably good array of shops and restaurants and a lively market held in the Market Place twice a week.

Wells was founded in Roman times and got its name from the springs that still bubble up in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace. It is a medieval city and the narrow streets and historic buildings are found all over the city.

Vicars Close is a complete street of medieval houses dating from the 1300’s and still lived in by members of the church making it the oldest continuously occupied street in England.

The Bishop’s Palace was founded in 1206.  It is surrounded by a moat still fed by the ancient springs.

Wells Cathedral has a facade containing over 300 medieval carvings.

Other buildings within the city include The City Arms. Now a pub the cell which still remains in the yard was in use until about 1810.  The yard housed the pillory, gallows, ducking stool, stocks and the ‘head gear for scolds’.