Wells UK’s top tourism treat
A “beautiful” town has been hailed as the UK’s best place to visit.
Wells in Somerset is a medieval gem named the best non-seaside town. But the settlement is often referred to as England’s smallest city, due to its 12,000 population living in the shadow of its city status-making cathedral.
Although it is eight times bigger than Britain’s dinkiest city – St Davids in Pembrokeshire – Wells is a charming place now crowned the best inland town in Britain by Which? It got top marks for attractiveness and tourist activities following a survey.
Film buffs may recognise it as the backdrop for fictional village Sandford in Hot Fuzz. Locations used include the Swan Hotel, which has a restaurant serving classic dishes and afternoon tea, the corner shop famed for Cornettos, and the marketplace.
But Wells is no one-hit wonder; it’s appeared in TV series Doctor Who, Wolf Hall, and the Dungeons & Dragons movie.
The market town is also packed with entertainment options, perfect for holidays, weekend breaks, or a day trip. The Wells Cathedral, known as England’s first Gothic cathedral, is a mustvisit. This grand structure took three centuries to construct.
It also houses more than 300 sculptures, Britain’s oldest working astronomical clock from the 14th century, and offers daily tours. A stone’s throw away is the historic Wells Market Place. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can pick up fresh produce, sweet treats, and homemade crafts.
For photographers, Vicars’ Close is a must. As Europe’s oldest residential street, it boasts beautiful stone-brick homes, a cobblestone street, and a great view of the cathedral.
The City Arms is another must-see – it sits in the former jail and is reputedly the city’s most haunted watering hole.
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