Wells, England’s smallest city – it has a cathedral, a bishop’s palace, a medieval close and a market square, and yet it’s a place you can walk through in around ten minutes!
Living so locally, I’ve been to Wells many times, but my most recent visit on a warm spring day really reminded me of why I keep going back. The sun was shining, the blossom was in full bloom around the Bishop’s Palace ponds and the cafes’ outdoor seating was gradually filling with everyone enjoying their coffees or lunches. It’s no surprise it’s often voted as the UK’s best ‘town or village’.
The question most people ask is whether Wells is worth a whole weekend or just a day trip and my honest answer is a day is very possible, but a weekend is much better. The Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace gardens alone are worth spreading over two days if you want to take your time rather than tick boxes. Add a good lunch, a leisurely browse around the independent shops and a walk along Vicar’s Close, and you’ll be glad you stayed.
Here’s how to make the most of a fabulous weekend in Wells.
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Plan your weekend in wells
- Best place to stay – Sheep & Penguin
- Must see – Wells Cathedral & Bishop’s Palace Gardens
- Lunch recommendation – Loaf
- Favourite place to eat – Root Wells
- Best time to visit – it’s beautiful all year but April/ May needs a special mention when the blossom in Bishop’s Palace Gardens is in full bloom
- How to get around – once you’re there, Wells is small enough to explore on foot
Best things to do in Wells
Wells Cathedral
It’s what it’s most famous for and a trip to Wells definitely wouldn’t be complete without visiting its glorious cathedral.
It’s beautiful from the outside and well worth taking the time to stroll around taking in its architecture. The West Front is particularly impressive with sculpted figures covering the façade – the finest and largest display of 13th-century medieval sculpture in England.
If your impressed by the exterior, inside Wells cathedral will really take your breath away and I’d highly recommend the entrance fee to explore further. The scissor arches are one of its most stunning features, but don’t miss the astronomical clock in the north transept that was built in 1392, making it one of the oldest working clocks in the world today.
If you’re visiting over a weekend, I’d suggest arriving early before the tour groups arrive. I’ve always explored the cathedral at my own pace as the general admission includes a complimentary highlights tour or audio tour, but guided tours can also be booked on the cathedral’s website.
Bishop’s Palace & Gardens
The Bishop’s Palace sits alongside the Cathedral, and I would say the gardens are among the loveliest I’ve visited in Somerset. During my April visit, the blossom trees around the ponds were at their absolute peak, with pale pinks against a clear blue sky reflected in the water below – it was the perfect time to visit.
The moat you cross to access the palace and gardens is famously inhabited by swans that have been trained to ring a bell at the gatehouse when they want to be fed – I know it’s hard to believe until you see it for yourself!
The gardens are spacious enough that you can find a quiet corner even when the city is busy. You can walk them in an hour but I would highly recommend allowing 3 hours to really do it justice, especially if you want to enjoy a picnic or simply sit for a while, which you should.
Entrance to the Palace grounds requires a ticket, which can be purchased at the ticket office on arrival. A joint ticket can also be purchased with Wells Cathedral entrance, which offers savings versus the cost of separate admissions.
Vicar’s Close
Just a short walk from the Cathedral you’ll find Vicar’s Close, a medieval residential street that’s one of the most photographed in England (and for very good reason). The row of identical stone cottages, dating back from the 14th century, run down to a chapel at the far end and it’s believed to be the only complete medieval street left in England. I would highly recommend a wander, it’s impossibly picturesque.
Note: at the time of writing, there’s significant scaffolding along one side of the Close while an exciting £7m restoration project is ongoing. It doesn’t ruin the visit, but it does affect the photographs. It’s worth checking how the restoration project is going before you visit. The work is expected to take place up until spring 2027, but it will be amazing once complete as the project will open up four previously private historic houses and a new sensory garden to visitors.
Independent shops & Wells Market
If you have some time to spare, Wells has some lovely independent shops and boutiques, alongside some high street brands that are worth a mooch around, but I wouldn’t make this the main focus of your trip.
There are some beautiful artisan, homeware and clothing shops, such as Sage & Bumble and Linen & Co, which if you’re anything like me you’ll find physically difficult to walk past without taking a look. They’re especially perfect if you’re looking for unique, or handmade gifts, but you may also find yourself leaving with another candle you didn’t need, but have no regrets about!
I also challenge you to try and walk past Flapjackery without a small detour for something sweet – the most delicious flapjack in a stunning range of flavours.
Each Wednesday and Sunday a thriving market is held in The Market Place. It’s year-round but the number of traders fluctuates seasonally. Here you’ll find local fresh produce, artisanal goods, and a selection of street food. For 2026 a pilot Sunday market is also running on selected dates.
Where to eat in Wells
When it comes to where to eat in Wells, you are spoilt for choice, it really is a foodie lovers dream.
Loaf
Loaf is where I’d send you for brunch or lunch. It’s tucked away in the Artisan Quarter, which feels like a little secret courtyard just off of the main high street and slightly removed from the bustle of Market Place, which is what I love about it (especially on market days). There’s a lovely bench-style outdoor seating area and it serves delicious coffee, an amazing selection of brunches from granola, poached eggs, American pancakes and Mezze to share together, as well as a beautiful selection of sweet treats.
Bishop’s Table
Bishop’s Table enjoys the most beautiful setting within the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, overlooking the croquet lawn with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. It offers all-day breakfasts and afternoon tea using fresh, locally sourced products and is a really lovely spot to relax for a moment. The café is located outside the gardens’ entrance so you don’t need a ticket to enjoy.
The Good Earth
The Good Earth has been a Wells institution for years and remains a genuinely local choice. It’s more than just a café, as well as delicious coffee and lunches, it’s also a wholefood and home store full of gifts and curiosities – making it an experience rather than just a place to sit and eat.
Root Wells
Root Wells deserves a very special mention and would be my number one recommendation for dinner or Sunday lunch. The menu follows a modern veg-led ethos and varies daily with their focus on seasonal and local produce. The menu is designed with sharing in mind making it the perfect option for a sociable dinner with friends.
There is meat on the menu, but if you’re a carnivore lover looking for a plate piled with meat, this probably isn’t for you.
The Olive Tree
The Olive Tree offers a more traditional restaurant feel with a menu inspired by British Modern and French cuisine. As well as the downstairs dining areas with an option kitchen, there is also an upstairs space ideal for private parties, seating up to 32. It’s charming, well-run and not a place to rush with good pacing between courses – perfect for an evening meal.
Il Postino
Il Postino is the one to know if you’re after authentic Italian cuisine. It’s well-liked locally, good value with delicious food and a good option if you want something straightforward and reliable in the beautiful setting of the former old Wells Post Office in Market Square.
Special places to enjoy a drink in Wells
For a few relaxed drinks after dinner Fosso Lounge is a good option. It’s laid-back, slightly eccentric and offers a good cocktail menu.
Bishop’s Eye is well-placed for people-watching on the Market Place. Café by day and wine bar by night, it’s the perfect spot for pulling up a seat while the city does its thing.
Or for a traditional pub, The Crown At Wells is right in the heart of the city overlooking Market Place with a comfortable bar serving a variety of local beers and ciders and an extensive wine list. Jam first note: a delicious afternoon tea is also available here.
Where to stay in Wells
Although Wells is small and can be visited in a day, I would highly recommend staying for at least one night to make the most of your time here.
Top recommendations on where to stay in Wells
- Right in the heart of the city – The Swan Hotel
- A touch of affordable luxury – Sheep & Penguin
- Rest & relaxation – Beryl Country House
The Swan Hotel is the most central choice and probably the easiest recommendation to make. It sits directly facing the Cathedral and is within easy walking distance of everything in this guide. It’s really beautiful and full of historic character with some of the rooms enjoying statement wallpapers, four-poster beds and roll top baths.
Sheep & Penguin is a fabulous pub, still central but a few steps further out from the main hub of the city. It’s a real gem full of character and really well-run by the family who own it. The boutique rooms and Mew houses are beautifully decorated – everything has been so well considered, making for a really comfortable stay. The pub is also a fabulous option for meals, with a lovely outdoor courtyard perfect for warmer days.
Beryl Country House sits a little further out of the city (1 mile to be exact). It’s a beautiful English country house with gardens, pool and a quieter, more unhurried feel to it. If your version of a Wells weekend involves arriving, exhaling and not moving very fast, Beryl is worth the slightly longer walk into the centre. It’s exclusively adults-only with a focus on rest and relaxation.
Rested not rushed notes
It may officially be a city but Wells isn’t a place for rushing, trying to tick as many boxes as you can as you go. Don’t try too hard to see everything in sequence – explore the Cathedral, find coffee, walk the Palace gardens, find lunch. It’s time well spent and you won’t feel like you’ve rushed anything.
Midweek visits are notably quieter (except for Wednesday when the market is on) particularly for the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. If a weekend is the only option, arriving early on Saturday morning before the day-trippers come through makes a real difference.
The Cathedral and Palace can feel like a lot on the same day if you want to explore properly. If you’re staying over, I’d split them – Cathedral on the first afternoon, Palace gardens on the second morning.
Getting to Wells & Where to Park
By Train & Coach
Famously, Wells is the only city in England that doesn’t have a mainline train station, so if you’re travelling by train you’ll need to arrive at a nearby town or city and catch a connecting bus (Bristol, Bath, Frome or Castle Cary are good options).
You can check up-to-date train information via National Rail Enquiries and take a look at Wells Tourism to plan the connecting journey.
By Car
Wells is easy to get to by car from the surrounding main towns/cities such as Bristol (25 miles), Bath (22 miles) and Taunton (30 miles) via the A39, which connects to the M5 motorway.
Wells has several car parks within easy walking distance of the Cathedral and city centre. The most convenient are:
Union Street car park – really easy access to the centre but only a 3 hour max stay
Princes Road car park – probably the most-used for visitors, a short walk from the Market Place and Cathedral.
Tucker Street – a little more of a walk but still close enough
On Saturdays during July and August, all-day parking is also available on the Palace Farm Fields (with access via Silver Street).
All are pay-and-display. If you’re visiting mid-week, parking is considerably easier. Summer Saturdays and market days (Wednesday and Saturday) are the busiest so I’d always advise to arrive early where possible.
When to visit
Wells is a year-round destination and is worth a visit in any season, which is one of the things I like most about it. Having said that:
April and May are my personal favourite months – the blossom in the Bishop’s Palace gardens is absolutely stunning, and if you love blossom as much as I do, it’s genuinely worth timing a visit around.
September and October bring softer light and quieter streets with less crowds. The Cathedral in autumn, on a still morning, is close to perfect and some days are still warm enough to enjoy a coffee alfresco.
December works well for a pre-Christmas visit. Wells has a good Christmas market atmosphere and the Cathedral looks stunning in the low winter light. This year’s Christmas market will take place from 12 – 13 December 2026.
August weekends are the busiest by far. Still worth it, but manage expectations for the Palace gardens and Cathedral, and book restaurants in advance.
Worth the extra night – Cheddar Gorge & Wookey Hole
If you fancy an extra night and want to explore more of the area, both Wookey Hole and Cheddar Gorge are within easy reach of Wells and worth building a third day around.
Wookey Hole is just two miles away and is one of the UK’s largest show cave systems. The caves are really something, although the ‘attraction’ as a whole is very family targeted and I’m going to say, ‘gimmick-y’ (which is why I have lovely memories of it as a child and still enjoy visiting now) but just to be aware if that’s not your thing (a Victorian Arcade, mini-golf and soft-play etc).
They do also have a Heritage Tour – a two hour guided tour delving deep in to the stories and folklore behind the caves, with a cheese and cider tasing experience to end, which I would definitely like to do on my next visit.
If nature is more your thing, Cheddar Gorge is around nine miles away and is a stunning place to visit. It’s England’s largest gorge, with walking, caves and the village of Cheddar below. Even if you only drive through, the scale of it will really take your breath away. If you have time (and the energy) to get up onto the clifftop path, do.
Neither needs a full day, which makes them ideal companions to a Wells weekend rather than a separate trip entirely.
Have you eaten somewhere in Wells I haven’t mentioned? I’m always looking for a good reason to go back, so drop any recommendations in the comments below!
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