The tiny city is tucked away in Somerset (Image: Getty)
The UK is home to some truly beautiful cities, with plenty of places worth exploring. Oxford, Bath and York are just a few that spring to mind, each offering something different. But there is another little city tucked away in Somerset that is just as deserving of a visit. It might not be as famous as some of the bigger names, but it has plenty to offer, and visitors seem to love it.
In fact, the city has been named one of the best places to visit in the UK on several occasions. It even came top in a Which? survey of the country’s best city breaks in 2024, scoring an impressive 86%.
The place in question is Wells, a gorgeous little city sitting on the edge of the Mendip Hills, around 20 miles from Bristol and Bath. With a population of around 12,000, it is often called England’s smallest city. And while Wells might be small, there is certainly no shortage of things to see and do.
Perhaps its most famous attraction is Wells Cathedral, a gorgeous building that dates back to the 12th century. It is famous for its beautiful Gothic architecture, medieval sculptures and unusual scissor arches.
Visitors can explore the cathedral for £15.50, while those attending a service or visiting to pray can enter for free. Another place worth visiting is the Bishop’s Palace, which has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for more than 800 years.
The palace is surrounded by a moat and has 14 acres of gardens to explore, along with historic ruins and swans. Adult tickets cost £15. Those who enjoy wandering through old streets should also make time for Vicars’ Close.
Wells Cathedral is a gorgeous building that dates back to the 12th century (Image: Getty)
It is believed to be Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street, with medieval houses that have barely changed over the centuries.
The city also has a lovely traditional High Street, filled with independent shops, bakeries, cafés and restaurants. There is also a market every Wednesday and Saturday, where visitors can pick up everything from fresh produce to locally made goods.
And if parts of Wells look familiar, there is a good reason. The city was used as a filming location for the popular British comedy Hot Fuzz, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
It is not difficult to see why Wells is so popular. In 2023, it also topped a Which? survey of the UK’s best inland towns and villages, receiving a score of 83%.
Vicars’ Close is believed to be Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street (Image: Getty)
The city has a lovely traditional High Street, filled with independent shops (Image: Getty)
Visitors have been just as impressed, with many sharing their experiences on TripAdvisor.
One wrote: “We visited Wells recently and found it delightful. Great for taking photos, plenty of places to stroll and sit having a picnic. Parts of old Wells were like the film set of Harry Potter!! The town was quaint. If you have never been, it’s worth a day trip out.”
Another said: “We found Wells by accident, but what a great place to visit with lots happening for such a small city. The cathedral and medieval town centre was a great surprise to us, as was the wonderful farmers market that was there the day we visited. The people we met there were very helpful and friendly. It’s definitely a place we would visit again.”
A third added: “We went to Wells mainly for the cathedral, which was wonderful to say the least. The city is very pretty.”
Another visitor wrote: “Wells is a lovely city with a fabulous cathedral and good shops, cafes and restaurants. The surrounding area has a lot to offer too. Highly recommended.”
One reviewer said: “Terrific city with spectacular cathedral and charming village square. Also delightful if you are a fan of Hot Fuzz as you get to see where the scenes were filmed!”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
