The small cathedral city of Wells in Somerset, England is often described as the country’s smallest city by population, sitting at the northern edge of the Somerset Levels beneath the Mendip Hills. The River Sheppey threads through its compact medieval centre, giving the place a quiet riverside charm and easy access to surrounding countryside.
Its historic skyline is dominated by Wells Cathedral and the moat‑ringed Bishop's Palace, complete with resident swans, while nearby Vicar's Close is famed as one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited streets. The local economy leans on tourism, independent shops, agriculture and public services, and the city maintains a lively calendar of markets and community events that reflect a strong local spirit.
Postcode districts covering Wells
Most populated places nearby
- Bristol 17.4 miles28 km
- Bath 16.9 miles27.2 km
- Weston-super-Mare 15.9 miles25.7 km
- Kingswood and Fishponds 18.8 miles30.3 km
- Taunton 23.7 miles38.2 km
- Yeovil 18.4 miles29.7 km
- Bridgwater 16.3 miles26.3 km
- Trowbridge 20.7 miles33.4 km
- Frome 12.4 miles20 km
- Portishead 19.7 miles31.6 km
- Burnham-on-Sea 15 miles24.1 km
- Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge 14.5 miles23.4 km
Neighbouring places
- St. Cuthbert Out Parish 0.5 miles0.8 km
- Wookey Hole Built-up area 1.5 miles2.3 km
- Upper Coxley and Coxley Wick Built-up area 1.6 miles2.6 km
- South Horrington Built-up area 1.8 miles2.8 km
- Wookey Built-up area 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Coxley Built-up area 2 miles3.2 km
- Easton Built-up area 2.7 miles4.3 km
- Croscombe Built-up area 2.7 miles4.4 km
- North Wootton Parish 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Mendip West Ward 3.3 miles5.4 km
- Henton Built-up area 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Westbury-sub-Mendip Built-up area 3.5 miles5.7 km
Example postcodes in Wells
BA5 1FD, BA5 1PZ, BA5 3JY, BA5 2NS, BA5 2UR, BA5 2TT, BA5 2BR, BA5 1WB, BA5 2DZ … See all
Transport links
- Bristol Airport 12.4 miles19.9 km
- Cardiff Airport 32.7 miles52.6 km
- Mendip Vale Railway Station 6 miles9.7 km
- Merryfield Lane Railway Station 6.8 miles10.9 km
Hotels in Wells Ad
Schools in Wells
- St Cuthbert's C of E Academy Infants and Pre-School Primary
- St Cuthbert's C of E Junior School Primary
- St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School Primary
- Stoberry Park School Primary
- The Blue School Secondary
- Wells Cathedral School Independent - all ages
Local points of interest
- Mendip Hills Hill 4.1 miles6.6 km
- Oaks of Avalon Archaeological site 4.4 miles7 km
- Chalice Well Gardens 5.2 miles8.4 km
- Clarks Village Shopping centre 6.8 miles11 km
- Cheddar Library Library 7.2 miles11.6 km
- Mendip Autocross Recreation 8.1 miles13.1 km
- Kingswood Nature reserve 10.1 miles16.3 km
- King Alfred's Tower Historic site 13.9 miles22.4 km
- Wincanton Racecourse Recreation 14.2 miles22.8 km
- Orchardleigh Estate Historic site 14.6 miles23.5 km
- Stourhead Estate 16 miles25.7 km
- Ashton Gate Stadium 16 miles25.8 km