New Homes in Wells 

From historic buildings to markets, food festivals and beautiful countryside, the small cathedral city of Wells has something for the whole family to enjoy. Located in Somerset on the edge of the Mendip Hills, a new home in Wells could be the perfect choice for you if you want to be in a rural setting with great amenities, and an active local community. 

A quick history

Wells dates back to Roman times, when a town grew around the springs and along the road leading to Bristol. The city got its name from its three wells, which today can be found in the Bishop’s Palace, the Cathedral and the Market Square. In times gone by were believed to have spiritual powers.

Through the centuries, Wells grew rapidly and became the biggest place in Somerset, thanks to the cloth trade and the wealth brought to the area by its church. Wells Cathedral was built during the 12th and 13th centuries, although it was damaged during the Reformation, the English Civil War and the Monmouth Rebellion. The cathedral was later restored and is now the main attraction in the city.

Business and industry

Industry in Wells has historically focused on agriculture, the market and the church. Today, thanks to the city becoming a major tourist destination, there are a number of businesses in the leisure industry, along with public sector employers such as Wells City Council and Mendip District Council.

Clarks Shoes are based nearby in Street, while Wessex Water and Jamie’s Italian are headquartered in Bath, and Mulberry and Dickies in Radstock. In Yeovil, employers include the Royal Naval Air Station and Screwfix Direct. 

Things to do in the area

Wells is full of historic sights, from the beautiful Cathedral to the 800-year-old Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, and one of the oldest surviving residential streets in the UK and Europe, Vicar’s Close. Wells Market Place hosts a twice-weekly regular market and a weekly farmers’ market, where you can buy fresh produce from local sellers.

If you’re moving to the city with children, there are lots of great family-friendly attractions nearby including; Wookey Hole Caves, Cheddar Gorge and Caves, and East Somerset Railway. For a breath of fresh air; you can go for a walk at Ebbor Gorge, enjoy a cycle ride through the Mendip Hills, or visit Glastonbury Abbey and Tor.

Wells has an active local community, and the city hosts a number of events throughout the year including Wells Moat Boat Race in August, The Wells Food Festival and Wells Festival of Literature in October.

Travel and commuting

Wells is located just off the A39, which goes north towards Bath and south to Glastonbury, eventually joining the M5 motorway. Although there’s no train station in the town, there are services to destinations across the UK from Bristol and Bath stations.

From Wells, Yeovil can be reached in 45-minutes by car, while Bath is also a 45-minute drive away. The journey to Bristol takes 50-minutes, while Bristol Airport is only a 35-minute drive away, ideal for holiday time.

If you’re travelling to London, the drive from Wells to the capital takes over three hours. The easiest and quickest way to get to London is by train from Bath Spa to Paddington, with a journey time of just one hour and 30-minutes.