Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Located on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills National Landscape (aka  Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), England&#8217;s smallest city may be packed with historic buildings – including a 13th century cathedral – but it&#8217;s not stuck in the past, with a vibrant community, heaps of independent shops and eateries, a thriving cultural scene and excellent schools. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n.jpg" alt="Root Wells Somerset" class="wp-image-100188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-root-wells-452476678_17959170671792561_2938145335112760099_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Root</figcaption></figure>



<p>Laid back brunches and wood-fired suppers at the <a href="https://www.loafisbaking.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loaf</a> bakehouse; breakfasts, sharing platters and cocktails at restaurant and wine bar<a aria-label=" Bishop's Eye. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.bishopseye.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Bishop&#8217;s Eye;</a> and Michelin Bib Gourmand veg-led restaurant <a href="https://www.rootwells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Root</a>. Eat and learn how to cook at <a href="https://www.7bwells.co.uk/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7B </a>run by Adam and Martine Fellows of renowned Modern European restaurant Goodfellows.  Excellent country pubs (with walks) within spitting distance include <a href="https://thelitton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Litton</a> and <a href="https://thesheppey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sheppey.</a> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1080" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/EA8E9C78-EC4F-4D47-B29F-6F885F491F67.jpg" alt="The Grape and the Good wine merchants Wells Somerset" class="wp-image-101259" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/EA8E9C78-EC4F-4D47-B29F-6F885F491F67.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/EA8E9C78-EC4F-4D47-B29F-6F885F491F67-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/EA8E9C78-EC4F-4D47-B29F-6F885F491F67-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/EA8E9C78-EC4F-4D47-B29F-6F885F491F67-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/EA8E9C78-EC4F-4D47-B29F-6F885F491F67-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Grape &amp; the Good </figcaption></figure>



<p>Combo of chains (including Waterstones and Waitrose) and plenty of indie shops and galleries, including <a href="https://cedarhouselifestyle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cedar House Lifestyle</a> store,  <a href="https://www.banksiaflowersandgifts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Banksia Flowers &amp; Gifts,</a>  <a href="https://www.amba-wells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amba</a> (winner of Best Women&#8217;s Fashion Store in the Muddy Awards 2023), the <a aria-label="Queen Street Deli (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.queenstreetdeli.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Street Deli</a>, <a href="http://thegrapeandthegood.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grape and the Good</a> wine shop and <a href="https://www.heritagecourtyardstudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heritage Courtyard Gallery and Studios</a>. Natural parenting shop and classes at <a href="https://bronwynsbaby.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bronwyn&#8217;s Baby</a>, winner of Best Children&#8217;s Business in Somerset, Dorset &amp; Bristol in the Muddy Awards 2024. Markets Weds &amp; Saturdays. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Wells Sport &amp; Fitness centre is kitted out with gym, sports hall, therapy room, studio, indoor cycling studio, swimming pool with a jacuzzi swim-through which the Mudsters used to love, sauna and steam room, plus poolside café. Lots of yoga studios.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Whatever your interest, there&#8217;s probably a club, class or society for you, from astronomy, through one of the South West’s leading choral societies (who perform in the cathedral), to table tennis and dry stone walling (this is the countryside, innit?). Somerset carnivals are the largest illuminated processions in the world they say and in November the streets are filled with the spectacular cacophony of Wells City Carnival&#8217;s illuminated floats, marching bands, musicians and dancers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74352" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wells Cathedral</figcaption></figure>



<p>The simply stunning <a href="https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/">Wells Cathedral</a> hosts contemporary art (Antony Gormley&#8217;s <em>Doubt</em>, Luke Jerram&#8217;s huge installation <em>Gaia</em>, Wells Art Contemporary) and concerts. The historic <a aria-label="Bishop's Palace. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://bishopspalace.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop&#8217;s Palace</a> has a moat with swans, lovely grounds and events all year round. You&#8217;re on the edge of the Mendip Hills National Landscape (aka  Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>All those festivals: the <a href="https://www.wellscomfest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Comedy Festival</a> in May, the <a href="https://wellstheatrefestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Theatre Festival</a> in July, <a href="https://www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wells Festival of Literature</a> (which has been going for over 30 years) and the <a href="https://wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Food Festiva</a>l in October. Wells also hosts annual international open art competition, <a href="https://www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Art Contemporary</a>. The <a href="https://www.wellsfilmcentre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Film Centre</a> is a small, three-screen venue showing an eclectic mix of flicks. Music concerts in Wells Cathedral and the impressive <a href="https://cedarshallwells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cedars Hall</a>, part of Wells Cathedral School.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Lots of gorgeous period properties as well as new builds. Average prices are £340,253, with detached properties selling for an average of £508,402, semis for £320,250 and terraced for £307,335. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00wellsknightfrankb08c7b86-346f-4f5e-be7f-6ede36f7b7c7-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-1000x750.jpg" alt="property for sale knight frank Wells somerset" class="wp-image-101972" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00wellsknightfrankb08c7b86-346f-4f5e-be7f-6ede36f7b7c7-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00wellsknightfrankb08c7b86-346f-4f5e-be7f-6ede36f7b7c7-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00wellsknightfrankb08c7b86-346f-4f5e-be7f-6ede36f7b7c7-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00wellsknightfrankb08c7b86-346f-4f5e-be7f-6ede36f7b7c7-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/00wellsknightfrankb08c7b86-346f-4f5e-be7f-6ede36f7b7c7-0-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the area: detached 6-bed, 4 reception 20th century house with country views. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.com/properties/residential/for-sale/frome-road-east-horrington-wells-somerset-ba5/brs012432169" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank, open to offers over £1m.</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Options include Stepping Stones Playgroup, Cuddles &amp; Care Day Nursery, Tree House Day Nursery and Rockers &amp; Rollers (great name), all Ofsted Good.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scho-ols">SCHO<strong>OLS</strong></h2>



<p>Several primaries and the much sought-after state secondary The Blue School (founded in 1641). Independents include <a aria-label="Wells Cathedral School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/wells-cathedral-school-wells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Cathedral School</a>, a specialist music school (though it excels in sports, the arts and academically too) with an amazing concert hall, with All Hallows in Shepton Mallet, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/downside-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Downside</a> in Stratton-on-the-Fosse and super sports (and more) at Millfield Prep and Senior in Street and Glastonbury all within easy reach. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Vicars&#8217; Close is the oldest surviving residential street in Europe. <em>Hot Fuzz</em> was filmed here. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute"><strong>COMMUTE</strong></h2>



<p>Nearest station is Castle Cary (15 mins), where you can hop on a train and get to London Paddington from 1 hr 32 mins. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Wells

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