Tiny city that's like ‘walking back in time’ crowned UK's best
Tucked away in the West Country lies one of England's most charming and smallest cities, where visitors can browse local markets, savour cider in cosy pubs and wander through the breathtaking grounds of its magnificent cathedral.
TL;DR
- Wells is recognized as England's smallest true standalone city, with a population of around 12,000.
- It was voted the best small city to visit by Which? magazine readers, receiving five stars for various aspects like attractiveness, attractions, and value for money.
- The city is home to the magnificent Wells Cathedral, built between 1175 and 1490, renowned as the most poetic English cathedral and the first in Gothic style.
- Wells gained international fame as the filming location for the fictional village of Sandford in the movie Hot Fuzz.
- Vicar's Close, a 14th-century street, is still completely intact and serves its original purpose of housing the adult members of the Wells Cathedral Choir.
- The Wells Market is a major draw, operating for over 800 years every Wednesday and Saturday.
- The city boasts several notable pubs, including The Sheep & Penguin for craft beer, The Fountain Inn for gastronomy, and The Sheppey Inn for its waterside terrace.