The City of Wells
Wells in Somerset is an ancient cathedral city in the picturesque district of Mendip, set in the heart of rural Somerset. It is known as England’s smallest city – the 2011 census recorded a population of 10,536 (4,882 males & 5,654 females). The findings from the 2021 Census which took place on 21 March 2021 will be released in stages over the next year.
The beautiful city of Wells is named after the springs (or wells) which rise within the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace. The medieval lanes within the city contain original unspoilt buildings, while the water supply, granted by Bishop Bekynton to the town in 1451, still gurgles down the sides of the High Street. Wells City Council is housed in the lovely Grade II listed Town Hall, (a popular venue for weddings and events) close to the stunning moated Bishop’s Palace and iconic Wells Cathedral.
The Wells and Mendip Museum is situated adjacent to the Cathedral. It is a registered charity and an accredited member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The Wells City Archives are located at The Wells and Mendip Museum, along with exhibits which include items of local history and archaeological finds. Explore the natural history, geology and heritage of Wells and the Mendip Hills.
Bustling markets are held twice weekly in the historic Market Place, continuing a tradition dating back nearly 900 years, to when Wells was granted weekly markets in the city’s first charter. The City of Wells is twinned with Paray-Le-Monial in France; Bad Durkheim in Germany and Fontanellato in Italy. For more information about the history of Wells in Somerset click here.