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. Wells has 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="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n.jpg" alt="Root Wells small plates shot from above" class="wp-image-109891" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/root-wells-503085447_17998028723792561_6178756083178325677_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Root Wells</figcaption></figure>



<p>For laid back brunches and wood-fired suppers check out the <a href="https://www.loafisbaking.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loaf</a> bakehouse; for breakfasts, sharing platters and cocktails go to 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 <a href="https://www.rootwells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Root</a> is a Michelin Bib Gourmand veg-led restaurant. 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. There are excellent country pubs (with walks) within spitting distance including <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="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="Poppy Green Home pendant light with eddison bulb" class="wp-image-109889" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/poppy-greens-home-490340086_1241588074135566_6781191814009630835_n_Fotor-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Poppy Greens Home </figcaption></figure>



<p>There is a good combo of chains (including Waterstones and Waitrose), with plenty of indie shops and galleries. Great indies include <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), lighting and interiors shop <a href="https://poppygreenshome.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poppy Greens Home</a>, 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>. <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, is a natural parenting shop that also offers classes. The city has markets on Wednesdays &amp; Saturdays. </p>



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



<p><a href="https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/wells-sport-fitness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Sport &amp; Fitness centre</a> has a 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. Wells has 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="Wells Cathedral" 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/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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 AONB.</p>



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



<p>Like festivals? This could be the place for you! Wells host 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 the summer, <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. The city also hosts the annual international open art competition, <a href="https://www.wellsartcontemporary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Art Contemporary</a>. </p>



<p>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. There are regular 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-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Wells is stuffed with gorgeous period properties as well as new builds. Last year, the average price was £354,538, with detached properties selling for an average of £585,306, semis for £345,549,  terraced for £337,018 and flats for £209,018</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/wells-BPTL-Avenue-House-Wells-3.jpg" alt="House for sale Wells Somerset" class="wp-image-111111" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/wells-BPTL-Avenue-House-Wells-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/wells-BPTL-Avenue-House-Wells-3-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/wells-BPTL-Avenue-House-Wells-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/wells-BPTL-Avenue-House-Wells-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/wells-BPTL-Avenue-House-Wells-3-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">She&#8217;s a beauty! This Grade II-listed <a href="https://www.lodestoneproperty.co.uk/property/high-street-wells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7-bed house</a> has been lovingly restored. On the market for 1.1m.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p>Options include <a href="https://steppingstoneswells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stepping Stones Playgroup</a>, <a href="https://www.cuddles-care.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cuddles &amp; Care Day Nursery</a>, <a href="https://treehousedaynursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tree House Day Nursery</a> and <a href="https://www.rockersandrollersdaynursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rockers &amp; Rollers</a> (great name), all Ofsted rated 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 <a href="https://www.theblueschoolwells.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Blue School</a> (founded in 1641) are all Ofsted-rated Good. 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. 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 are 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">COMMUTE</h2>



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



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Wells

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