In Things to do, Beyond Bath, Itineraries

Bath isn’t the only beautiful historic city in Somerset! Its neighbour to the south, Wells, offers its own selection of stunning sights, and is also England’s smallest city. Here’s our itinerary on how to enjoy a day trip to Wells during your visit to Bath…

Where to stay

Why not base yourself at one of Bath’s suitably historic accommodation options?

Envelope yourself in Georgian splendour combined with luxurious modernities at the newly refurbished Francis Hotel, which offers a cosy selection of rooms and a top-of-the-range spa, as well as its own fiery on-site brasserie, Emberwood.


Image: The Francis Hotel

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott and William Wilberforce with a stay at the Hotel Indigo Bath. Set over a row of Georgian townhouses, similar to that of The Francis Hotel, the Hotel Indigo also offers rooms based within its 18th century vaults. Plus, with the hotel nestled just steps away from Bath Bus Station, it’s the perfect launchpad for your Wells adventures.

Other great accommodation options offering historic charm and a convenient central location include The Griffin Inn and Broad Street Townhouse.


Image: Broad Street Townhouse

For more modern lodgings, take a look at the Hampton by Hilton Bath, Apex City of Bath Hotel, and DoubleTree Bath, all of which are located within a 10-minute walk of Bath Bus Station.

Getting to Wells

While Wells does not have a railway station, First Bus operates the 173 and 174 bus routes connecting Bath and Wells bus stations. You can catch both services from Bay 10 of Bath Bus Station, with buses running once per hour from Monday-Friday, and once every two hours on Sundays. The journey takes an hour and a half, with the final service leaving Wells Bus Station at 6:15pm Monday-Friday, 6pm on Saturdays, and 5:20pm on Sundays. Check the TravelWest website for the latest timetables before you travel.

First Bus offers a range of ticket options to ensure you get the best value fare. These include dedicated day tickets for groups of up to 5 people, children aged 5-15, young people aged 16-21, and students. Please note that some tickets may require valid ID to be presented.

If you’re taking the car to Wells, you’ll find limited on-street parking across the city; we would advise using one of the city’s long-stay car parks where possible.


Image: Galahad Tours

Alternatively, book onto Galahad Tours’ award-winning, private ‘Sensational Somerset’ tour. Your very own expert guide will drive you to both Wells and nearby Glastonbury, while providing you with a detailed insight into their rich history. Or, treat yourself to a luxurious transfer from Bath to Wells, courtesy of Royale Chauffeur!

Morning

Start by exploring the city’s main sights, and head straight to Wells Cathedral.


Image: Wells Cathedral

This Gothic masterpiece has been described as ‘the most poetic of the English cathedrals,’ and from the minute you arrive, you’ll see why! Marvel at the stunning West Front, bedecked with 300 magnificent sculptures, then head inside and explore more of the building’s incredible details, including the iconic ‘scissor arches’ and one-of-a-kind clock, plus one of the country’s largest collections of stained glass.

We’d recommend setting aside at least two hours to enjoy everything the Cathedral has to offer, before moving next door to the Bishop’s Palace & Gardens. This grand medieval building has been home to the Bishop of Bath & Wells for over 800 years, with successive occupiers of the role expanding the estate with various additional rooms and features.


Image: The Bishop's Palace & Gardens

Step inside and discover every room, from Bishop Jocelin’s original vaulted undercroft to Bishop Bekynton’s 15th century north range and tower, among many others. Don’t miss the coronation cope, worn by various Bishops at coronation ceremonies through the years, most recently at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.

After exploring the palace interiors, head outside into the beautiful 14 acres of landscaped gardens. You’ll find a range of garden designs, a mid-19th century parterre, and the original flowing wells from which the city takes its name, which now feed a series of man-made pools. Plus, thanks to its status as a partner garden, RHS members will enjoy free entry to the Bishop’s Palace Gardens on Fridays throughout the year.

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to spend another two to three hours exploring the Bishop’s Palace, easily filling the rest of your morning.

Afternoon

You’ll find plenty of tempting options for lunch on High Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, including a variety of pubs serving up a wide range of classic hearty dishes. If you time your visit right, you may even be able to pick up a delicious treat from the Wells Market, held every Wednesday and Saturday from 9am-3pm on Market Place.


Image: Vicars' Close, credit Visit Wells 

Once you’ve refuelled, head back towards the Cathedral, then cross over the green and head down the street on the left-hand side of the building, where you’ll soon come across Vicars’ Close. Instantly recognisable thanks to the distinctive tall chimneys of its 27 cottages, this small cul-de-sac is widely regarded as Europe’s oldest residential street, built in 1348 to house the ‘Vicars Choral,’ part of the Cathedral’s choir. It’s the perfect spot to get a quick photo to remember your trip, but please be respectful of the street’s private residents.

If you’d prefer to, you can explore Vicars Close as part of your visit to Wells Cathedral, with the option to take a guided tour around the street and the cathedral’s Treasury Block, the latter of which isn’t usually open to the public.


Image: Wells & Mendip Museum

You could opt to spend the rest of your afternoon at the Wells & Mendip Museum on Cathedral Green, where you can explore a wide range of collections across three floors. These include artefacts discovered across the Mendip Hills, predominantly from the nearby Ebbor Gorge and Wookey Hole, as well as exhibits on the unique geology of the area, the people of Wells, and more.

Alternatively, if you’re a fan of the hit buddy cop comedy film Hot Fuzz, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, why not take some time to visit some of the Wells locations featured in the film?

There’s nowhere better to start than at Market Place, which formed the backdrop of several scenes in which Pegg and Frost’s characters patrol the fictional town of Sandford, as well as in the climactic shootout towards the end of the film. Nearby, you’ll find The Swan Hotel, where Pegg’s character stays, Wells Recreation Ground, where Pegg and Frost’s characters search for an escaped swan, and St Cuthbert’s Church, which serves as the site of the fictional Sandford village fete in the film.


Image: Glastonbury Tor

Another option is to branch out and explore the area surrounding the city, which is almost entirely within the magnificent Mendip Hills National Landscape. The 376 and 126 bus services connect Wells to its storied neighbouring towns of Glastonbury and Cheddar respectively, and if you’ve brought a car, you could take the short drive east to the delights of Wookey Hole Caves, or the scenic walking routes at Ebbor Gorge nature reserve. A slightly longer drive north will bring you to the Chew Valley, home to even more glorious walking routes, plus plenty of characterful pubs, such as The Queens in Chew Magna.


Image: Cheddar Gorge 

Can’t decide which of the above you’d like to visit? Stay in the area and experience them all! You’ll find fabulous accommodation options nestled in the countryside surrounding Wells, including the family-friendly Wookey Hole Hotel, luxurious Montigo Resorts Somerset, and the playful Mad Swans.

Evening

If you’re driving, take a detour on your way back to Bath and stop for dinner at one of the show-stopping pubs near Wells. A few miles south is the 17th century Manor House Inn, serving a flavourful selection of seasonal West Country dishes in laidback, cosy surroundings. Or head north and take your pick from the Chew Valley’s finest pubs, including the Ring o’Bells, The New Inn, The Swan Inn, and The Langford Inn.


Image: The Manor House Inn

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