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| Wells | ||
| county | Somerset | |
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| Residents | approx. 10,400 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| Tourist info | (0)1749 671770 http://www.wellssomerset.com/ | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Wells is the smallest city England and is located in the west of England county Somerset. With St. Andrews Wells owns one of the most important cathedrals of the English Gothic. In the garden of the Bishop's Palace there are three springs that gave the city its name. Wells is on the edge of AONB's Mendip Hills.
background
The place is best known today for its cathedral, which was built between 1182 and 1260. The place owes its town charter to this cathedral, since in England every town that has a cathedral can automatically call itself a town. Queen Elizabeth II confirmed its status as a city with a on April 1, 1974 Royal Charter. The actual foundation of the place is, however, Roman in nature. In the 8th century, Wells won by building a church under the Saxon king Ine from Wessex in importance.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is Bristol Airport, approx. 30 km away. The London Heathrow Airport is approx. 184 km away and is served by numerous airports, also in German-speaking countries.
By train
Wells has not had its own train station since 1964. The closest train station is in Castle Cary (approx. 21 km away). However, there are few connections to Bath or Bristol and no direct bus route to Wells.
If you still want to travel by train, there are the following options:
- to Bristol Temple Meads, then bus 376 (First)
- to Bath Spa, then take bus 173 (First)
- to Frome, then by bus 161 (First)
In the street
Of Bath in the east via the A37 and A39, in the west, some distance away, the M5 leads along the coast to Nirden, from here you can go from Bridgwater over the A 39 to the east and further over Glastonbury and get on Wells Road to Wells.
By bus
The bus station is on Princes Road.
- First buses. Connections to Bath, Bristol, Burnham-on-Sea, Frome, Street, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, among others.
- National Express. Route 403 via Bath Spa, Swindon to London Heathrow and London.
By boat
Portsmouth is 142 km away.
- With Brittnay Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg-Octeville, St Malo and Le Havre
- With Condor Ferries from Portsmouth to Cherbourg
mobility
Wells is great to explore on foot. There are several signposted, chargeable parking spaces around the old town.
Tourist Attractions
The construction of today's cathedral began around 1180, and the consecration took place in 1239. Important additions and alterations were carried out during the 14th and 15th centuries. The west facade is particularly impressive with its more than 300 preserved statues (originally there were 500) and inside the three scissor arches. A cream-colored stone from the area was used for the construction. When entering the ship, the visitor immediately notices the continuous rhythm of the early Gothic columns and arches as well as the scissor arches. They were built from 1338. It was found that the crossing tower cracked after being raised, and the foundations could not bear the additional weight. Thanks to these arches and hidden buttresses, the tower is still stable today. There are beautiful, detailed stone carvings throughout the church, e.g. on the capitals of the columns. Both realistic and mystical figures and animals can be seen, but there are also biblical figures and everyday representations. In the choir is the ornate bishop's throne and the choir stalls. Under its seats there are misericords completed around 1333. Glass from the 13th century has been preserved in the windows, mainly in the choir and the choir corridors. The large east window dates from 1340. The clock in the transept is also worth seeing. The wooden figure Jack Blandiver hits his heels every 15 minutes to ring the bell. At the top of the hour he strikes the bell next to him. A knight's tournament then takes place above the clock face, a knight is knocked over at every full round. The clock was installed in 1390, the current clockwork was used in 1880. The construction of the staircase to the chapter house began in 1240, the chapter house was completed in 1306. The ceiling of the room is a masterpiece of the Middle Ages: 32 ribs radiate from a column in the middle. The huge cloister was built in the middle of the 14th century. The unity of the structure in both the vaults and the walls is striking.
2 Cathedral Green
The green area is in front of the west facade of the cathedral. Around them are historical buildings, e.g. the Old Deanery (where the archdeacon lived, now the cathedral's music school) and the Wells Museum.
3 Vicar's Close
The medieval street with the UK's first row of houses. In 1348, Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, founded the College of Vicars Choral. The members have been singing as substitutes for the canonokers in the cathedral since the 1140s. In 1363 the 42 houses were completed. The cobblestone street narrows slightly in the north, this increases the perspective effect. There is a chapel at the northern end of the row houses and Vicar's Hall at the southern end. The chapel became a library around 1470. The front gardens and garden gates were added during the early 15th century. Direct access from Vicar's Hall to the cathedral has been through the Chain Gate since 1459. Employees of the cathedral still live here today.
4 Chain gate (Chain gate).
The Chain Bridge leads over what was then the main road to Bath and connects Vicar's Hall with the Chapter House.
6 Market Place
That leads from the marketplace Penniless Porch into the cathedral freedom and the magnificent gate Bishop's Eye to the Bishop's Palace. The Penniless Porch is so called because here the poor begged alms from the churchgoers. The beautiful Town Hall dates from the 18th century and is the center of bourgeois life. The current fountain was built in 1779.
The foundation of the Bishop's Palace goes back to Bishop Jocelyn, who had the central hall of the palace built and a garden in the 13th century. The later bishops made various changes. This is how the Great Hall and Chapel were built between 1275 and 1295. The Great Hall is now in ruins. Its dimensions (35 m long, 19 m wide) make it clear how imposing it once was. When the bishop's maintenance became too costly in the 1550s, the lead and wood of the roof were sold and the building was left to its own devices. The walls are now a picturesque eye-catcher in the garden. Around 1340, after disputes between the bishop and the population of the city, the wall with gatehouse, drawbridge and moat was built. Bishop Bekynton (1443-1466) had the well house built. It is part of the palace and city's water supply system. A water pipe leads to the fountain in the market square and further along the high street. In the 15th century, the north wing was added to the existing building. Today the bishop's residence is located here. The old residence of the bishops is open to visitors. Once you have entered the building you are in the entrance hall with a beautiful vault. Next to it is the crypt, the medieval architecture of which is well preserved. In contrast, the Long Gallery was badly damaged during the English Civil War. It was shortened and renovated in Victorian times. The original hall was heavily modified by the Victorians; the refurbishment resulted in the dining room and conference room. The Bishop's Palace is surrounded by an extensive garden. Again and again lawns, trees, bushes and flower beds alternate, benches invite you to linger. In July 2013 the modern "Garden of Reflection" will be opened in the former, unused kitchen garden.
Construction of the church began in the early 13th century, around the same time as the cathedral. The current appearance dates from the 15th century. The beautiful west tower, which strives upwards due to its construction, also dates from this time. The high tower and the large room with the ornate furnishings make many visitors believe that it is in the cathedral. Thanks to the large windows - also in the Lichtgaden - the interior is very bright. The showpiece of St. Cuthbert is the artistically carved wooden ceiling of the ship, there are angels, coats of arms and rosettes. In 1963 the ceiling was repainted with colors that match the original appearance. The carved pulpit from 1636 bears the coats of arms of Kings Charles I and II as well as scenes from the Old Testament. The Tree of Jesse (1470) in the aisle was badly damaged during the Reformation.
City of Wells Almshouses (only accessible on Monument Open Day in September, then only the gardens, assembly hall and chapel)
There were a total of 6 Almshouses in Wells, 5 of which were merged into a charity in 2004. The 6th is privately owned. They are still inhabited by old people from the community today. The names of the individual houses indicate by which bishop they were founded. Originally there were shared bedrooms and a kitchen, but cottages and apartments have been built over the years. The gardens have already received several awards.
9 Llewellyn's Almshouses Opposite St. Cuthbert are the Llewellyn's Almshouses.
Llewellyn's Almshouse: Construction of the two row cottages began around 1638. They were later in very poor condition and were almost rebuilt in Victorian times. You can see the houses through the fence on the street.
10 Almshouses Next to the church are the Bricke, Still's, Willes and Bubwith's Almshouses.
Bricke's Almshouse (around 1630): these are the oldest buildings, the exterior is well preserved, the two cottages have hardly been changed. The Sedilia with four seats is unusual. The building can be seen clearly from the churchyard.
Still's Almshouse: was donated by the bishop in 1614, extensive restorations took place in 1882.
Willes' Almshouse: in his will the bishop, who died in 1773, left the instructions for building a dormitory for the needy.
Bubwith's Almshouse: are the first buildings to be erected here (around 1224). The building also houses the guildroom and chapel.
Bishop's Barn (Silver Street)
The tithe barn with its massive buttresses was built in the 15th century. The part of the products that the farmers had to give to the church was stored here. The barn was built from the same stone as the cathedral and the roof is covered with slate from Westmoreland, Cumbria. Today it is a meeting room.
activities
hike
- Mendip Way: 80 km long long-distance hiking trail from Weston-super-Mare to Frome
- Monach's Way 990 km long-distance footpath that follows the approximate escape route of King Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester (1651).
- Day tours in the Mendip Hills
shop
There are various shops along the High Street and around Market Place. A large supermarket (outside) is on Tucker Street (accessible via the A371). There is a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
kitchen
- (Self-service)
- . With B&B
nightlife
accommodation
B & B's
Hotels
- 4 White Hart Hotel **, Sadler Street. Tel.: 44 (0)1749 672056, Email: [email protected]. Price: Double from £ 80.00.
Holiday apartment
health
Practical advice
Tourist Information
- 2 TIC, 8 Cathedral Green. Tel.: 44 (0)1749 671770. Open: October to March daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April to September Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The information is located in the Wells & Mendips Museum.
Important phone number:
- 999 is the emergency number for the police, fire brigade and ambulance
Area code: 01749, from abroad 44 1749
Post code: BA 5
Post office
- 3 Post office, Market Place (next to the gate to the Episcopal Palace). Open: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday from 9:00 a.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
trips
- in the place Cheddar with the Cheddar Gorge and the famous caves
- to Glastonbury - Small town with the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and Glastonbury Tor hill.
- to Bath or Bristol
- to Stonehenge or Salisbury
- in the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Mendip Hills
- Mells - Considered one of the prettiest villages in Somerset. A new village was built at the end of the 15th century under the direction of John Selwood, Abbot of Glastonbury.
literature
Web links
- http://www.wells.gov.uk/ - Wells official website
- Official website of the Tourist Information Wells
- Official website of the Tourist Information Somerste
- Official website of the Mendip Hills AONB
- Information on St. Andrew's Cathedral
