131-682: The Mendip Way is an 80-kilometre (50 mi) long-distance footpath across the Mendip Hills from Weston-super-Mare to Frome . It is divided into two sections. The West Mendip Way was opened in 1979 and starts at the Bristol Channel at Uphill Cliff . It climbs the Mendip escarpment affording views over the Somerset Levels. It then crosses the central Mendip plateau leading down to Cheddar Gorge and on to Wells . Most of
262-485: A Somerset stone tower and a carved roof. Originally an Early English building (13th century), it was much altered in the Perpendicular period . The nave's coloured ceiling was repainted in 1963 at the instigation of the then Vicar's wife, Mrs Barnett. Until 1561 the church had a central tower which either collapsed or was removed, and has been replaced with the current tower over the west door. Bells were cast for
393-655: A bell for food. The Bishop's Barn was built in the 15th century. The city has two football clubs, one being Wells City F.C. , past winners of the Western League . Belrose FC play their football in the Mid-Somerset Football League at Haybridge Park. Wells Cricket Club runs eight sides across senior, junior and women's cricket; they are based at South Horrington . Wells Wanderers Cricket Club are based in Meare . Rowdens Road Cricket Ground
524-418: A campaign has been started to halt the creation of any new quarries and to restrict the activities and expansion of the existing ones. The Mendips are home to a wide range of outdoor sports and leisure activities, including hunting , caving, climbing, and abseiling . The rich variety of fauna and flora also makes it attractive for hillwalking and those interested in natural history. Mendip Activity Centre
655-412: A charter of 725 granted by King Ina to Glastonbury and Fontanensis Ecclesia . " Tidesput " or " Tithesput furlang " relates to the area east of the bishop's garden in 1245. Wells was part of, and gave its name to, the hundred of Wells Forum . Wells had been granted charters to hold markets by Bishop Robert (1136–66) and free burgage tenure was granted by Bishop Reginald (1174–1191). Wells
786-497: A complex suite of mountain and hill ranges across what is now southern Ireland, south-western England, Brittany , and elsewhere in western Europe. As a result of the Variscan mountain-building, the Mendip area now comprises at least four anticlinal fold structures, with an east–west trend, each with a core of older Devonian sandstone and Silurian volcanic rocks . The latter are quarried for use in road construction and as
917-415: A concrete aggregate. The Mendips were considerably higher and steeper 200 to 300 million years ago, and subsequent erosion has resulted in varying geological features including gorges, dry valleys, screes , swallets and others typical of karst landscapes. Beneath the southern escarpment and plateau are caves . There are also areas of limestone pavement and other karst features. Dissolution of
1048-551: A dinner for members of the queen's household including her four maids of honour. The Venetian ambassador Antonio Foscarini recorded her delight. During the English Civil War (1642–1651), at what became known as the " Siege of Wells ", the city found itself surrounded by Parliamentarian guns on the Bristol, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet sides. Col. William Strode had 2,000 men and 150 horse. The Royalists evacuated
1179-638: A gold mural crown , with the Latin motto Hoc fonte derivata copia (translated: "the fullness that springs from this well"). The council formalised twinning links with Paray-le-Monial , France, and Bad Dürkheim , Germany in 1979, then added Fontanellato , Italy in 1983; the Wells Twinning Association and the Mayor of Wells organise the twinning activities. HMS Somerset , Mary Bignal-Rand , Danny Nightingale , The Rifles and
1310-413: A large proportion of the annual precipitation falls from showers and thunderstorms at this time of year. Average rainfall is around 800–900 mm (31–35 in). About 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, with June to August having the lightest. The predominant wind direction is from the south west. The civil parish of Wells is entirely surrounded by
1441-590: A large proportion of the annual precipitation falls from showers and thunderstorms at this time of year. Average rainfall is around 800–900 mm (31–35 in). About 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, with June to August having the lightest; the prevailing wind direction is from the south-west. A combination of the rainfall and geology leads to an estimated average daily runoff from springs and boreholes of some 330,000 m (72 million imperial gallons). Bristol Waterworks Company (now Bristol Water ) recognised
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#17327654809811572-593: A mix of barbed wire and sheep fencing. These dry-stone walls are of botanical importance as they support important populations of the nationally scarce wall whitlowgrass ( Draba muralis ). Amongst the plants which occur in the area are the Cheddar pink ( Dianthus gratianopolitanus ), purple gromwell ( Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum ), white rock-rose ( Helianthemum apenninum ), Somerset hair-grass ( Koeleria vallesiana ), and starved wood-sedge ( Carex depauperata ). Twenty Palaeolithic sites have been identified in
1703-450: A short distance. Turning south, there is a long descent to the village of Loxton where the M5 motorway is crossed. A steep ascent then follows, nearly reaching the summit of Crook Peak (175 m or 574 ft elevation), but passing just 200 m (656 ft) to the north of it. Following the ridge from west to east, with the village of Compton Bishop nestled in a valley to the south,
1834-485: A trading centre based on cloth making and Wells is notable for its 17th-century involvement in both the English Civil War and the Monmouth Rebellion . In the 19th century, transport infrastructure improved with stations on three different railway lines. However, since 1964 the city has been without a railway link. The cathedral and the associated religious and medieval architectural history provide much of
1965-495: A wide distribution across the Mendips and are often found in flooded disused quarries. Several rare butterflies are indigenous to the area, including the nationally scarce pearl-bordered fritillary ( Boloria euphrosyne ), Duke of Burgundy ( Hamearis lucina ), and white-letter hairstreak ( Satyrium w-album ). The large blue butterfly ( Maculinea arion ) became extinct in the hills in the late 1970s. The white-clawed crayfish
2096-712: Is a 58-kilometre (36 mi) long-distance footpath from the Mendips to the Cotswolds, and the Mendip Way covers 80 km (50 mi) from Weston-super-Mare to Frome. The western section runs from the Bristol Channel at Uphill Cliff , affording views over the Somerset Levels, crosses the central Mendip plateau leading down to Cheddar Gorge, and then continues to Wells and Frome. The much longer Monarch's Way runs for 990 km (620 mi), from Worcester to Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex. It closely follows
2227-456: Is a Grade II listed building , and was on the Buildings at Risk Register until its restoration which included the restoration and repair of the stained glass façade. Wells Little Theatre is operated by a voluntary society which started in 1902. In 1969 they took over the old boy's building of Wells Blue School, where they put on a variety of operatic and other productions. Milton Lodge
2358-523: Is a house overlooking the city. It has a terraced garden, which was laid out in the early 20th century, is listed as Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England . Television programmes and local news is provided by BBC West and ITV West Country . Local radio stations are BBC Radio Somerset , Heart West , and Greatest Hits Radio South West . The city
2489-483: Is about 10 °C (50 °F) with seasonal and diurnal variations, but the modifying effect of the sea restricts the range to less than that in most other parts of the United Kingdom. January is the coldest month, with mean minimum temperatures between 1 °C (34 °F) and 2 °C (36 °F). July and August are the warmest, with mean daily maxima around 21 °C (70 °F). In general, December
2620-403: Is accessible via the 376 bus route; the journey time is around one hour. The Blue School , founded in 1641, is a state coeducational comprehensive school and has been awarded Specialist science college status. It has 1,641 students aged 11–18 of both sexes and all ability levels. Wells Cathedral School , founded in 909, is a private school that has a Christian emphasis and is one of
2751-586: Is accomplished by the effect of gravity on the runoff. Water from the Mendips is also collected in Cheddar Reservoir , which was constructed in the 1930s and takes water from the springs in Cheddar Gorge. The area hosts three semi-natural habitats of national importance: ash – maple woodland ( Fraxinus spp. and Acer spp.) often with abundant small-leaved lime ( Tilia cordata ), calcareous grassland and mesotrophic grassland . Much of
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#17327654809812882-548: Is also nationally rare and is a declining species with small populations in a tributary of the Mells River and the River Chew . The dry stone walls that divide the pasture into fields are a well-known feature of the Mendips. Constructed from local limestone in an "A frame" design, the walls are strong yet contain no mortar; many have been neglected and allowed to disintegrate, or have been replaced or contained by
3013-665: Is based at the Charterhouse Centre in the heart of the AONB. The AONB Unit consists of four staff: a manager, project officer, support officer and part-time planning officer and fixed term project officers. They are supported by volunteer rangers. In 2005 a proposal was submitted to the Countryside Agency to extend the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Steep Holm and Brean Down in the west and towards Frome in
3144-492: Is evidence of mining in the Mendips dating back to the late Bronze Age, which increased after the Roman invasion, particularly for lead and silver around Charterhouse . The difficult conditions in the area were noted by William Wilberforce in 1789, which inspired Hannah More to begin her work improving the conditions of the Mendip miners and agricultural workers. In the 18th and early 19th centuries 7,300 ha (18,000 acres) of
3275-464: Is located on Warrens Hill Road, on the rim of Batts Combe quarry between Shipham and Charterhouse. Thomas Hardy described the Mendips as "a range of limestone rocks stretching from the shores of the Bristol Channel into the middle of Somersetshire", and several of his books refer to the Mendips or sites on the hills. According to legend, Augustus Montague Toplady was inspired to write
3406-512: Is not part of a larger urban agglomeration . Wells takes its name from three wells dedicated to Saint Andrew , one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral. A small Roman settlement surrounded them, which grew in importance and size under the Anglo-Saxons when King Ine of Wessex founded a minster church there in 704. The community became
3537-507: Is quarried at several sites. Ash – maple woodland, calcareous grassland and mesotrophic grassland which can be found across the Mendip Hills provide nationally important semi-natural habitats. With their temperate climate these support a range of flora and fauna including birds, butterflies and small mammals. The dry stone walls that divide the pasture into fields are of botanical importance as they support important populations of
3668-454: Is required to visit the vast majority of the caves, but Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves are two show caves which are easily accessible to the public. The active Mendip Caving Group and other local caving organisations organise trips and continue to discover new caverns. The Hills conceal the largest underground river system in Britain; attempts to move from one cave to another through
3799-565: Is served by these local newspapers: Wells Voice , The Somerset County Gazette and SomersetLive . A walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew , encloses the twelfth century Cathedral , the Bishop's Palace , Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. Entrances include the Penniless Porch , The Bishop's Eye and Brown's Gatehouse which were all built around 1450. The Church of St Cuthbert has
3930-631: Is set in the Mendip Hills and is one of the largest outdoor activity centres in the South West. It is a key part of the local tourism community bringing significant revenue and visitor numbers each year, welcoming 10,000s of visitors. They have a thriving outdoor education program with schools, delivering school residentials. Families and individuals take part in activities including skiing and snowboarding, climbing and abseiling, kayaking and paddle boarding, caving, archery, air rifle, tobogganing and disc golf. Their pop-up campsite, Mendip Basecamp, opened to
4061-519: Is that the name is cognate with Mened ( Welsh mynydd ), a Brythonic term for upland moorland. The suffix may be a contraction of the Old English hop , meaning a valley. Possible further meanings have been identified. The first is 'the stone pit' from the Celtic meyn and dyppa in reference to the collapsed cave systems of Cheddar . The second is "mighty and awesome" from
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4192-617: Is the dullest month and June the sunniest. The south west of England enjoys a favoured location, particularly in summer, when the Azores High extends its influence north-eastwards towards the UK. Cloud often forms inland, especially near hills, and reduces exposure to sunshine. The average annual sunshine totals around 1600 hours. Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic depressions or with convection. In summer, convection caused by solar surface heating sometimes forms shower clouds and
4323-518: Is the dullest month and June the sunniest. The south-west of England enjoys a favoured location, particularly in summer, when the Azores High extends its influence north-eastwards towards the UK. Cumulus cloud often forms inland, especially near hills, and reduces exposure to sunshine. The average annual sunshine is about 1,600 hours. Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic depressions or with convection. In summer, convection caused by solar surface heating sometimes forms shower clouds, and
4454-407: Is the only Mendip breeding site for downy emerald dragonflies. In 2007 the first confirmed sighting of a red kite ( Milvus milvus ) on the Mendips was made at Charterhouse. A range of important small mammals are found in the area, including the hazel dormouse ( Muscardinus avellanarius ) and bats. The hazel dormouse is restricted largely to coppice woodland and scrub, while the bats, including
4585-467: Is the summit area atop Black Down . The hills gave their name to the former local government district of Mendip , which administered most of the local area until April 2023. The higher, western part of the hills, covering 198 km (76 sq mi) has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which gives it a level of protection comparable to a national park . The hills are largely formed from Carboniferous Limestone , which
4716-750: The Golden Arrow service between London and Dover . It was withdrawn from service in 1964, and rescued from a scrapyard in 1971, and as August 2021 was operational on the East Lancashire Railway . During World War II , Stoberry Park in Wells was the location of a prisoner-of-war camp , housing Italian prisoners from the Western Desert Campaign , and later German prisoners after the Battle of Normandy . Penleigh Camp on
4847-728: The A38 . Further east, and running almost north to south, are the A37 , A39 , A36 and the A361 . During the late 19th and early 20th century, the Bristol and North Somerset Railway ran roughly parallel to the A37. Further south and west, the Cheddar Valley Line and Wrington Vale Light Railway , branches of the Bristol and Exeter Railway , served towns and villages from Cheddar to Wells. In
4978-717: The Bishop's Palace, Wells is particularly popular among productions, with filming at the latter conducted (in 2015–2016) for The Huntsman: Winter's War , Galavant , Terry and Mason's The Great British Food Trip , Escape to the Country , and Holiday of My Lifetime . Wells is situated at the junction of three numbered routes. The A39 goes north-east to Bath and south-west to Glastonbury and Bridgwater . The A371 goes north-west to Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare , and east to Shepton Mallet . The B3139 goes west to Highbridge , and north-east to Radstock and Trowbridge . The nearest motorway connections are at junction 23 on
5109-774: The Bristol & Exeter Railway from Yatton , reached Wells and built a third station at Tucker Street . Matters were simplified when the Great Western Railway acquired the Cheddar Valley and the East Somerset lines and built a link between them that ran through the S&;DJR's Priory Road station. In 1878, when through trains began running between Yatton and Witham, the East Somerset station closed, but through trains did not stop at Priory Road until 1934. Priory Road closed to passenger traffic in 1951 when
5240-442: The Bristol Channel . The hills gave their name to the rare mineral mendipite , an oxohalide of lead with chlorine with formula Pb 3 Cl 2 O 2 which was first described in the area. A sample of mendipite was found at the head of Ebbor Gorge . Along with the rest of South West England , the Mendip Hills have a temperate climate that is generally wetter and milder than the rest of England. The annual mean temperature
5371-548: The Dartford warbler ( Sylvia undata ), which can be found at Black Down and Crook Peak . In Britain, this species is usually associated with lowland heath. The woodlands at Stock Hill are a breeding site for nightjars ( Caprimulgus europaeus ) and long-eared owls ( Asio otus ). The Waldegrave Pool, part of Priddy Mineries , is an important site for dragonflies , including downy emerald ( Cordulia aenea ) and four-spotted chaser ( Libellula quadrimaculata ). Waldegrave Pool
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5502-698: The M5 via the A39 and at junction 1 of the M32 via the A39 and A37 . Wells is served by First West of England bus services to Bristol and Bristol Temple Meads station , Bath , Frome , Shepton Mallet , Yeovil , Street and Weston-super-Mare , as well as providing some local service. It is served by Berrys Coaches daily Superfast service to and from London. The bus station is in Princes Road. The Mendip Way and Monarch's Way long-distance footpaths pass through
5633-696: The Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels . Somerset cheese, including Cheddar , is made locally. Wells is part of the Wells and Shepton Mallet travel to work area which also includes Glastonbury, Cheddar and surrounding areas. The historic part of the city has often been used for filming both documentaries and many period films and television series, including some with very large productions. Recent examples (2014 to 2017) include filming for Series 2 of Poldark , Dunkirk , Another Mother's Son , Broadchurch , The Levelling , Mum's List , and The White Princess . In addition to Wells Cathedral ,
5764-436: The Mendip Way and Limestone Link . Several explanations for the name "Mendip" have been suggested. Its earliest known form is Mendepe in 1185. One suggestion is that it is derived from the medieval term Myne-deepes . Others suggest it derives from Celtic monith , meaning mountain or hill, with an uncertain second element, perhaps Old English yppe in the sense of upland or plateau. A third explanation
5895-681: The Mendips ) is a range of limestone hills to the south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset , England. Running from Weston-super-Mare and the Bristol Channel in the west to the Frome valley in the east, the hills overlook the Somerset Levels to the south and the Chew Valley and other tributaries of the Avon to the north. The highest point, at 325 metres above sea level, is Beacon Batch which
6026-471: The Monmouth Rebellion (1685) the rebel army attacked the cathedral in an outburst against the established church and damaged the west front. Lead from the roof was used to make bullets, windows were broken, the organ smashed and horses stabled in the nave. Wells was the final location of the Bloody Assizes on 23 September 1685. In a makeshift court lasting only one day, over 500 men were tried and
6157-647: The Priddy Nine Barrows and Ashen Hill Barrow Cemeteries . The Historic England Archive holds over 1,200 entries for the area, and there are over 600 listed buildings , in addition to over 200 scheduled ancient monuments . These protected monuments range from prehistoric barrows and hillforts to the Black Down bombing decoy from the Second World War. Settlement on the Mendip Hills appears to fall into two types. The first, apparent in
6288-522: The River Axe enabled goods to be brought to within 3 mi (5 km) of Wells. In the Middle Ages overseas trade was carried out from the port of Rackley . In the 14th century a French ship sailed up the river, and by 1388 Thomas Tanner from Wells used Rackley to export cloth and corn to Portugal, and received iron and salt in exchange. Wells had been a centre for cloth making; however, in
6419-527: The Somerset Levels . The hills are largely made of carboniferous limestone , which is quarried at several nearby sites. In the 1960s, the tallest mast in the region, the Mendip UHF television transmitter , was installed on Pen Hill above Wells, approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) from the centre of the city. Streams passing through caves on the Mendip Hills, including Thrupe Lane Swallet and Viaduct Sink (approximately 5 km (3.1 miles) east of
6550-506: The Wookey Hole Road was a German working camp. Wells City Council is a parish council , with a membership of sixteen councillors, elected from three parish wards . They are (with the number of parish councillors each elects, in brackets): Central (four), St. Thomas' (six) and St. Cuthbert's (six). The civil parish of Wells was formed in 1933 upon the merger of Wells St Cuthbert In and Wells St Andrew (the latter being
6681-633: The barrows and forts around Priddy and at Dolebury Warren . The caves of Cheddar Gorge have yielded many archaeological remains, as flood waters have washed artefacts and bones into the caves and preserved them in silt. The Cheddar Man , Britain's oldest complete skeleton, was found in Gough's Cave , part of the Cheddar Complex . Within the Mendip Hills AONB, good evidence exists for 286 definite examples of round barrows, including
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#17327654809816812-562: The 14th. The street is owned by Wells Cathedral. The Bishop's Palace has been the home of the bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. The hall and chapel date from the 14th century. There are 14 acres (5.7 ha) of gardens including the springs from which the city takes its name. Visitors can also see the Bishop's private chapel, ruined great hall and the gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge beside which mute swans ring
6943-581: The 16th and 17th centuries this diminished, but the city retained its important market focus. Wells in the 19th century had the largest cheese market in the west of England. Wells was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Welle , from the Old English wiells , not as a town but as four manors with a population of 132, which implies a population of 500–600. Earlier names for the settlement have been identified which include Fontanetum , in
7074-492: The Blue School, the skateboard park and allotments in the grounds of the Bishop's Palace, Burcott Road and Barnes Close. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council. Wells Town Hall was built in 1778, with the porch and arcade being added in 1861 and the balcony and round windows in 1932. It is a Grade II listed building . It replaced
7205-484: The Iron Age onward the ownership of land took on increasing importance, with large landholdings based on the mines or on stock grazing, denying settlers access to the plateau or forcing them off the hills. There is evidence of mining dating back to the late Bronze Age, when there were technological changes in metal-working indicating the use of lead. The Roman invasion, and possibly the preceding period of involvement in
7336-693: The Market Place in May and November each year and the Wells in Bloom competition. The city council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of city facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. They are involved in the management of the Community Sports Development Centre at
7467-551: The Mendip Hills has, since 1972, been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 . The Mendip Society, which was formed in 1965, helps to raise awareness of this designation and protect the area. The society runs a programme of guided walks and educational presentations. The society also has a small grants fund to assist communities with
7598-539: The Mendip Hills is Charterhouse Cave with a vertical range of 220 m (722 ft). Many caves in the Mendip area were excavated for archaeological and natural history studies by pioneer explorer Herbert E. Balch and were photographed by the early caver Harry Savory at the start of the 20th century using cameras , glass plates and flash powder . Several sites on the Mendips are designated as open access land , and there are many footpaths and bridleways that are generally clearly marked. The Limestone Link
7729-584: The Mendip Way terminates. Weston-super-Mare and Frome are served by train and coach. Buses run regularly on routes parallel to the Mendip Way, from Weston-super-Mare to Wells, and Wells to Frome. Accommodations and campsites can be found along the route. The route is covered by Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps 141, 143 and 153, and Landranger maps 182 and 183. The route is shown on recent editions of these maps. Two publications provide more information: Mendip Hills The Mendip Hills (commonly called
7860-452: The Mendips is open calcareous grassland, supporting a wide variety of flowering plants and insects. Some parts are deciduous ancient woodland , and some have been used intensively for arable agriculture, particularly since World War I. As the demand for arable land in Britain declined, some areas were returned to grassland, but the use of fertilisers and herbicides has reduced biodiversity. Grazing by rabbits, sheep and cattle maintains
7991-720: The Mendips the Carboniferous Limestone layers are found in the subsurface and are exposed in Avon Gorge , and are overlain by younger strata in Dundry Hill and the Cotswolds , where oolitic limestone of Jurassic age is found at the surface. West of the main Mendip plateau the Carboniferous Limestone continues in Bleadon Hill and Brean Down , and on the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm in
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#17327654809818122-432: The Mendips, many based on the particular geology of the area. The hills are recognised as a national centre for caving and cave diving , as well as being popular with climbers, hillwalkers and natural historians. Wookey Hole Caves and some of the caves in Cheddar Gorge are open as show caves ; however, many of the caves of the Mendip Hills are only accessible to members of caving clubs. Long-distance footpaths include
8253-412: The Mendips, of which eleven represent faunal remains and lithic artefacts recovered from caves. The remaining eight sites refer to surface lithic discoveries, and the artefacts found include points, scrapers, and handaxes. Twenty-seven Mesolithic finds are represented by flint and chert lithics. Large numbers of artefacts have been found near Neolithic , Iron Age , and Bronze Age features, such as
8384-455: The Mendips, reflect the arrival of this new road. Much of the high plateau, however, remained uncultivated and unenclosed until the 18th century, resulting in many roads remaining as narrow winding lanes between high banks and hedges or stone walls. Where the tracks had their origins as drovers roads , they typically become open roads with wide verges. The roads tend to follow the line of gorges and valleys, as at Cheddar Gorge. The more major of
8515-424: The Mendips: the Devonian sandstones visible around Blackdown and Downhead and the Carboniferous Limestones, which dominate the hills and surround the older rock formations. There are nine active quarries and a host of disused sites, several of which have been designated as geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature. Because of the effect quarrying has on the environment and local communities,
8646-401: The Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain periods, and repeated on a small scale in the Middle Ages and post-medieval era, comprised occupation by self-sufficient groups in small communities or isolated farms. The second was represented in the Iron Age Britain and Roman periods by large sites with specialist functions, existing by virtue of their ability to exert power over lowland producers. From
8777-465: The Old English moen and deop . The rock strata known as the Carboniferous Limestone were laid down during the early Carboniferous Period , about 320–350 million years ago. Subsequently, much of northwestern Europe underwent continental collision throughout the late Paleozoic Era , culminating in the final phases of the Variscan orogeny near the end of the Carboniferous, 300 million years ago. This tectonic activity produced
8908-405: The S&DJR branch line from Glastonbury was shut, though it remained the city's main goods depot. Tucker Street closed in 1963 under the Beeching cuts , which closed the Yatton to Witham line to passengers. Goods traffic to Wells ceased in 1964. Southern Railway West Country class steam locomotive no 34092 was named City of Wells at a ceremony at Priory Road station in 1949. It was used to haul
9039-461: The abolition of the municipal borough of Wells. Anne of Denmark , the wife of King James came to Wells on 20 August 1613. She was entertained by a pageant performed by the town's trades and crafts. The blacksmiths presented Vulcan's forge. The butchers made a tableau of "old virgins", with their attires made of cow tails and necklaces made of cow's horns, who were drawn in a chariot by men and boys dressed in ox skins. The mayor, William Bull, held
9170-422: The area closed in the 1960s. Although the Roman Fosse Way crossed the hills, the main roads generally avoid the higher areas and run along the bottom of the scarp slope on the north and south of the hills. The western end of the hills is crossed by the M5 motorway and A38 . Further east, and running almost north to south, are the A37 and A39 . A wide range of outdoor sports and leisure activities take place in
9301-449: The canons of Wells and the monks of Bath until 1245 when the bishopric was renamed the Diocese of Bath and Wells , to be elected by both religious houses. With the construction of the current cathedral and the bishop's palace in the first half of the 13th century, under the direction of Bishop Reginald and later Bishop Jocelin , a native of the city, Wells became the principal seat of the diocese. The 8th-century port at Bleadney on
9432-618: The city and surrounding Mendip Hills . Wells is part of the West Country Carnival circuit. Wells Film Centre shows current releases and, in conjunction with the Wells Film Society shows less well known and historical films. The previous cinema, The Regal in Priory Road, closed in 1993 and is now Kudos Nightclub. It was built in 1935 by ES Roberts from Flemish bond brickwork with Art Deco features. It
9563-492: The city being used as a shooting location for numerous films and television programmes. The city was a Roman settlement that became an important centre under the Anglo-Saxons when King Ine of Wessex founded a minster church in 704. Two hundred years later, in 909, it became the seat of the newly formed bishopric of Wells ; but in 1090, the bishop's seat was removed to Bath . The move caused severe arguments between
9694-548: The city), emerge at Saint Andrew's Well in the garden of the Bishop's Palace, from where the water fills the moat around the Palace and then flows into Keward Brook, which carries it for approximately a mile west to the point where the brook joins the River Sheppey in the village of Coxley . Along with the rest of South West England , the Mendip Hills have a temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than
9825-544: The city, as does National Cycle Route 3 . Wells had two stations which were closed by the Beeching Axe in the 1960s: Wells (Tucker Street) railway station and Wells (Priory Road) railway station . The nearest railway line today is the East Somerset Railway . The nearest station today for the national rail network is Castle Cary , 12 miles (19 km) away. Bristol Temple Meads railway station
9956-418: The city. Parliamentarian troops then used the cathedral to stable their horses and damaged much of the ornate sculpture by using it for firing practice. William Penn stayed in Wells shortly before leaving for America (1682), spending a night at The Crown Inn. Here he was briefly arrested for addressing a large crowd in the market place, but released on the intervention of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. During
10087-420: The civil parish. As the designation is typically awarded to a local council area, this administrative area is then considered to be the formal boundary of the city, including its urban and rural extents. Wells, due to its urban area and wider parish sizes, is near-smallest city on several measures based on 2011 statistics: Wells lies at the foot of the southern escarpment of the Mendip Hills where they meet
10218-452: The common heathland on the hills were enclosed . In World War II a bombing decoy was constructed on top of Black Down at Beacon Batch. More recently, the mast of the Mendip transmitting station , micro-hydroelectric turbines and a wind turbine have been installed. There are several quarries on the Mendip Hills . Some of the stone is still carried by Mendip Rail ; the other railways in
10349-468: The conservation and enhancement of the landscape and to encourage its enjoyment and celebration. As their landscapes have similar scenic qualities, AONBs may be compared to the national parks of England and Wales . In contrast to national parks, which have their own authorities and legal power to prevent unsympathetic development, very few statutory duties are imposed on the local authorities within an AONB. However, further regulation and protection of AONBs
10480-466: The council holds the historic office of Mayor of Wells, typically for one year. The current mayor (for the 2020–21 municipal year) is Councillor Philip Welch, who is the 647th Mayor of Wells. He was elected to office on 10 October 2020. Another historic position is that of the Town Crier . The City Council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover
10611-410: The council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. They also evaluate local planning applications and work with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. This includes city centre management including CCTV , an alcohol ban and regulating street trading permissions including the two funfairs held in
10742-559: The current roads often started as turnpikes in the 16th century. These avoid the highest areas of the hills. To the north of the western part of the Mendips, the A368 separates the hills from the Chew Valley , while on the southern edge the A371 similarly runs along the bottom of the scarp slope between the hills and the Somerset Levels . The western end of the hills is crossed by the M5 motorway with access at junctions 21 and 22, along with
10873-508: The early 8th century. Parts of the building date back to the tenth century, and it is a grade I listed building. It is known for its fine fan vaulted ceilings, Lady Chapel and windows, and the scissor arches which support the central tower. The west front is said to be the finest collection of statuary in Europe, retaining almost 300 of its original medieval statues, carved from the cathedral's warm, yellow Doulting stone. The Chapter House, at
11004-470: The east, the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway ran south from Bath into Dorset , and also served Wells. These have all now closed, but Mendip Rail has freight lines to carry limestone from the quarries of the Mendip Hills . There is also the East Somerset Railway which is an operational heritage railway . The Somerset Coal Canal reached some of the pits of the Somerset Coalfield in
11135-598: The east. Many of the villages on the Mendips have their own parish councils , which have some responsibility for local issues. Local people also elect councillors to district councils or to unitary authorities. The 198 km (76 sq mi) of the AONB are split across four districts: Mendip District Council 87.67 km (33.8 sq mi), Sedgemoor District Council 34.03 km (13.1 sq mi), Bath and North East Somerset Council 36.95 km (14.3 sq mi), and North Somerset Council 39.35 km (15.2 sq mi). The population on
11266-548: The eastern end of the Mendips. In recent centuries the Mendips, like the Cotswolds to the north, have been quarried for stone to build the cities of Bath and Bristol, as well as smaller towns in Somerset. The quarries are now major suppliers of road stone to southern England, among them producing around twelve million tonnes of limestone every year, employing over two thousand people, and turning over approximately £150 million per annum. There are two main rock types on
11397-429: The employment. The city has a variety of sporting and cultural activities and houses several schools including The Blue School , a state coeducational comprehensive school that was founded in 1641, and the private Wells Cathedral School , which was founded possibly as early as 909 and is one of the five established musical schools for school-age children in the United Kingdom. Wells's historic architecture has led to
11528-596: The five established musical schools for school-age children in Britain . The school teaches over 700 pupils between the ages of 3 and 18. The school's boarding houses line the northern parts of the city and the music school retains close links with Wells Cathedral. The primary schools in Wells are Stoberry Park School, St Cuthbert's Church of England Infants School, St Cuthbert's Church of England Junior School and St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School. Wells and Mendip Museum includes many historical artefacts from
11659-666: The former on the site of the Market and Assize Hall in the Market Place, and a Canonical House also known as 'The Exchequer', on the authority of an Act of Parliament dated 1779. The building also houses the magistrates courts and other offices. The Assize court last sat here in October 1970. All other local government services are provided by Somerset Council , a unitary authority established in April 2023. Prior to this date, Wells elected five councillors to Mendip District Council from
11790-401: The grassland habitat. Of the many bird species found in the Mendips, the peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus ), which has gradually recolonised the area since the 1980s, is particularly significant. It breeds on sea and inland cliffs and on the faces of active and disused quarries. The upland heaths of the west Mendips have recently increased in ornithological importance due to colonisation by
11921-410: The heart of the Mendips. After skirting to the south of Shipham , the path passes through the plantations on Rowberrow Warren, then joins a minor road for a short distance. Just to the south is GB Cave discovered by Francis Goddard and Charles Barker in 1939. It is one of the many caves in the Mendips . There are also several round barrows in this area. Descending into a valley, the route swings to
12052-425: The heaviest ring of ten bells in the world. The tenor bell weighs just over 56 cwt (6,272 lb, 2,844 kg). The Vicars' Close is the oldest residential street in Europe. The Close is tapered by 10 ft (3.0 m) to make it look longer when viewed from the bottom. When viewed from the top, however, it looks shorter. The Old Deanery dates from the 12th century, and St John's Priory from
12183-404: The higher plateau is widely dispersed in small farms and hamlets, although rather than working in agriculture or forestry, most people now commute to employment in surrounding cities and towns. The largest village on the plateau on the western Mendips is Priddy , which had a population of 624 at the 2011 census along with the smaller hamlet of Charterhouse . The larger villages and towns are on
12314-454: The hills were enclosed, mainly with dry stone walls that today form a key part of the landscape. In 2006 funding was obtained to maintain and improve the walls, which had steadily deteriorated over the years. In World War II, a bombing decoy was constructed on top of Black Down at Beacon Batch in an attempt to confuse bombers aiming to damage the city of Bristol, and piles of stones (known as cairns ) were created to prevent enemy aircraft using
12445-704: The hills, passing close by Draycott Sleights SSSI and the airfield of the Mendip Gliding Club. At the top of the hill is the earthworks of an ancient settlement, and several more roundbarrows are passed on the way to Priddy . Priddy village green has been the site of a sheep fair since 1348, and the New Inn appeared there in 1373. Heading south from Priddy, the route passes through Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve , and on to Wookey Hole , famous for its cave and witch legend. The Monarch's Way long-distance footpath joins here, and shares some, but not all, of
12576-444: The hilltop as a landing site. In the 1960s, the tallest mast in the region at 293 metres (961 ft) above ground level, the Mendip UHF television transmitter , was installed on Pen Hill near Wells , one of the highest points of the Mendips. The transmitter's antenna rises to almost 589 metres (1,932 ft) above sea level. Since 2003, arguments have raged over plans to erect a wind turbine near Chewton Mendip. The proposal
12707-479: The historic liberty of the cathedral, the bishop's palace, etc., amounting to just 52 acres (21 ha)). Wells is the successor parish for Wells Municipal Borough, which existed from the creation of municipal boroughs in 1835 to their abolition in 1974. The parish has held the city status of Wells since 1 April 1974 (previously held by the municipal borough) and the member of the City Council who chairs
12838-511: The internal affairs of the south of England, was inspired, in part, by the mineral wealth of the Mendips. William Wilberforce 's visit to Cheddar in 1789, during which he saw the poor circumstances of the locals, inspired Hannah More to begin her work improving the conditions of the Mendip miners and agricultural workers. Under her influence, schools were built and children were formally instructed in reading and Christian doctrine. Between 1770 and 1813 some 7,300 ha (18,000 acres) of land on
12969-624: The largest and most diverse of the ancient semi-natural woods in the Mendips. Further on, the hamlet of Chantry is one of the Thankful Villages which suffered no casualties in the First World War . The path then goes alongside Whatley Quarry which has been the subject of environmental criticism. At Forbury Bottom, the Macmillan Way shares the route for a short way until Great Elm . The path then leads into Frome where
13100-519: The late Harry Patch have the Freedom of the City . The Somerset Light Infantry received the freedom of the City of Wells following their return from Cyprus in 1956. As the seat of an ancient cathedral and diocese , Wells is historically regarded as a city. City status was most recently confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent dated 1 April 1974, which granted city status specifically to
13231-409: The limestone produced many of the gorges including Cheddar Gorge and Burrington Combe . Springs are a common feature of the eastern part of the hills, a number of which have associated tufa deposits. Black Down is a moorland area, with its steeper slopes covered in bracken ( Pteridium ) and its flatter summit in heather ( Calluna ) and grasses rather than the pasture which covers much of
13362-515: The lower slopes of the western hills, often in river valleys. Axbridge , with a population of 2,057, and Cheddar (5,755), both within the Sedgemoor district, together with the Mendip town of Shepton Mallet (10,369) and the city of Wells (10,636) are along the southern border of the hills. The North Somerset parishes of Blagdon (1,116), and the parishes of Compton Martin (508), East Harptree (644) and West Harptree (439), lie along
13493-632: The majority sentenced to death. Wells first station, Priory Road , opened in 1859 on the Somerset Central Railway (later the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway , S&DJR) as the terminus of a short branch from Glastonbury . A second railway, the East Somerset , opened a branch line from Witham in 1862 and built Wells East Somerset station to the east of Priory Road. In 1870, the Cheddar Valley line branch of
13624-562: The nationally rare lesser ( Rhinolophus hipposideros ) and greater horseshoe bats ( Rhinolophus ferrumequinum ), have a number of colonies in buildings, caves, and mines. A rare and endangered species, the greater horseshoe bat is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is listed in Annex ;II of the 1992 European Community Habitats Directive . Amphibians such as the great crested newt ( Triturus cristatus ) have
13755-401: The nationally scarce wall whitlowgrass ( Draba muralis ). The origin of the name "Mendip" is unclear, but it is known that there has been human habitation since Palaeolithic and Mesolithic times with a range of artefacts being recovered from caves. Neolithic , Iron Age , and Bronze Age features such as barrows are numerous with over 200 scheduled ancient monuments recorded. There
13886-577: The northern edge. Further east are the towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock and the village of Paulton (population 5,302) within the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset. In the middle of the 1st century, ancient tracks across the hills were superseded by the Roman Fosse Way , from Bath to Ilchester , a branch of which served the Charterhouse lead mines. Stratton-on-the-Fosse and Lydford-on-Fosse , two villages of
14017-411: The parish of St Cuthbert Out . The population of the civil parish, recorded in the 2011 census , was 10,536. Of this number 97.5% are ethnically White (with the more specific White British category recorded at 93.5%) and 66.5% described themselves as Christian. The mean average age in 2011 was 41.9 years (the median age being 43). The population recorded for the Wells civil parish in the 2001 census
14148-421: The past and this is reflected in areas of contaminated rough ground known locally as "gruffy". The word "gruffy" is thought to derive from the grooves that were formed where the lead ore was extracted from veins near the surface. Other commodities obtained included calamine ( zinc ore), manganese , iron, copper and baryte . The eastern area reaches into parts of the Somerset Coalfield . North and east of
14279-566: The peak of Wavering Down is reached, at an elevation of 210 m (689 ft). The route here follows the northern boundary of the Crook Peak to Shute Shelve Hill SSSI . After descending through woodland, the route crosses the Samaritans Way South West long-distance footpath which passes underneath in a tunnel of the former 'Strawberry Line' railway. After crossing the A38 , the path ascends again, heading now into
14410-419: The plateau. The main body of the range is an extended plateau, 6–8 km (4–5 miles) wide and generally about 240 metres (800 ft) above sea level. In some places lead and zinc ores have mineralised the limestone and the dolomitic conglomerate . From the time of Roman Britain until 1908, the hills were an important source of lead. These areas were the centre of a major mining industry in
14541-460: The population recorded in the 2011 census was only 10,536, (increased to 12,000 by 2018) and with a built-up area of just 3.244 km (1.253 sq mi), Wells has had city status since medieval times, because of the presence of Wells Cathedral . Often described as England's smallest city , it is actually the second smallest to the City of London in area and population, but unlike London it
14672-450: The public in 2020 and in 2023 was named Gold Campsite at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards. Large areas of limestone on the Mendips have been worn away by water, making the hills a national centre for caving . Some of the caves have been known about since the establishment of the Mendip lead mining industry in Roman times. However, many have been discovered or explored only in the 20th century. Specialist equipment and knowledge
14803-465: The rest of England. The annual mean temperature is about 10 °C (50 °F) with seasonal and diurnal variations, but due to the modifying effect of the sea, the range is less than in most other parts of the United Kingdom. January is the coldest month with mean minimum temperatures between 1 and 2 °C (34 and 36 °F). July and August are the warmest months in the region with mean daily maxima around 21 °C (70 °F). In general, December
14934-549: The route taken by Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The route enters Somerset near Chewton Mendip and crosses the Mendip Hills heading for Wells. A shorter local path, the 72-kilometre (45 mi) long Mendip Pub Trail, connects six pubs owned by Butcombe Brewery. The trail runs from Hinton Blewett through Priddy, Axbridge, Bleadon , Rowberrow , and Compton Martin. Various forms of oval short-track racing, including F1 and F2 stock cars , have taken place at Mendips Raceway since 1969. The track
15065-499: The same route on the way to Wells . The route leaves Wells by way of the path around the Bishop's Palace moat, then enters the woods at Tor Hill, a National Trust property, and passes by the top of a disused quarry. It then joins a track which was formerly used by horse-drawn transport to avoid paying tolls on the main road. This track passes by King's Castle wood, a reserve of the Somerset Wildlife Trust and
15196-538: The same three wards as are used for the City Council (two were returned from St Cuthbert's, two from St Thomas' and one from Central). Wells is an electoral division (with the same boundaries as the civil parish) of Somerset and returns two councillor to Somerset Council, but returned one to its predecessor Somerset County Council . Wells is part of the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency. The Wells city arms show an ash tree surrounded by three water wells , crested with
15327-412: The site of an Iron Age settlement. It takes the route on to the high ground of Lyatt and Furzy Sleight. Passing high above the village of Croscombe , the path then goes through Ham Woods and turns southeast to descend towards Shepton Mallet . Approaching town, the route roughly follows the line of the now derelict Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway . The two large viaducts that carried the railway around
15458-427: The southwest to Black Rock at the top of Cheddar Gorge . It continues in this direction, first climbing then descending the hill to the east of the gorge, before swinging back eastwards just short of reaching the village of Cheddar . The path now climbs the southern escarpment of the Mendips, before descending by way of Batcombe Hollow to Draycott . After a short section along the A371 , the route heads back up into
15589-461: The top of a flight of stone stairs, leading out from the north transept is an octagonal building with a fan-vaulted ceiling. It is here that the business of running the cathedral is still conducted by the members of the Chapter, the cathedral's ruling body. Wells Cathedral clock is famous for its 24-hour astronomical dial and set of jousting knights that perform every quarter-hour. The cathedral has
15720-595: The tower by Roger Purdy. The polychromatic stone Church of St Thomas was built during 1856 and 1857 and extended by Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1864, commemorating the work of Richard Jenkyns the Dean of Wells who had cared for the poor in the east of the city. Wells Vineyard Church is an Evangelical Church formed in 2003. The cathedral is the seat of the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells . Wells has been an ecclesiastical city of importance since at least
15851-450: The town are Grade II listed buildings. Leaving the town behind, the path goes over Ingsdons Hill to the hamlet of Chelynch. At Waterlip the route passes by a flooded quarry, then climbs to 280 metres (919 ft), the highest point on the Mendip Way. This is the site of Cranmore Tower , a 45-metre (148 ft) tall 19th century folly , now a grade II listed building. Asham Wood is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and
15982-461: The underground rivers led to the development of cave diving in Britain. The first cave dive was attempted at Swildon's Hole in 1934, and the first successful dive was achieved the following year at Wookey Hole Caves, which has the deepest sump in Britain at 76 m (250 ft). The cave complexes at St. Dunstan's Well Catchment , Lamb Leer , and Priddy Caves have been identified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The deepest cave in
16113-489: The value of this resource and between 1846 and 1853 created a series of tunnels, pipes, and aqueducts called the "Line of Works", which still carry approximately 18,200 m (4 million imperial gallons) of water a day to Barrow Gurney Reservoirs for filtration and then on to Bristol and the surrounding areas. This collection and conveyance of water from the Chewton Mendip and East and West Harptree areas
16244-462: The village of Uphill on the southern outskirt of Weston-super-Mare . The route skirts Uphill Cliff , upon which the remains of a windmill and a Norman church are located, then crossing over the Bristol to Exeter line , proceeds along the northern edge of Bleadon Level. After crossing the A370 the route skirts the village of Bleadon and starts to ascend Bleadon Hill, where it follows a minor road for
16375-669: The western section is within the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . From there the East Mendip Way continues through Shepton Mallet to Frome . The Mendip Way connects with the Macmillan Way , Monarch's Way , and Samaritans Way South West . The western trailhead of the Limestone Link is within 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of the Mendip Way near Shipham . The Mendip Way starts at
16506-558: The words of the hymn " Rock of Ages " while sheltering under a rock in Burrington Combe during a thunderstorm in 1763; there is a metal plaque marking the site. Wells, Somerset Wells ( / w ɛ l z / ) is a cathedral city and civil parish in Somerset , located on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills , 21 miles (34 km) south-east of Weston-super-Mare , 22 mi (35 km) south-west of Bath and 23 mi (37 km) south of Bristol . Although
16637-426: Was 10,406. Following construction of the A39 / A371 bypass, the centre of the city has returned to being that of a quiet market town . It has all the modern conveniences plus shops, hotels and restaurants. Wells is a popular tourist destination, due to its historical sites, its proximity to Bath , Bristol , Stonehenge and Glastonbury and its closeness to the Somerset coast. Also nearby are Wookey Hole Caves ,
16768-483: Was a first-class venue. No longer a cricket ground, it is now occupied in part by Wells FC. Mid-Somerset Hockey Club and Wells City Acorns Hockey Club both play on the Astroturf pitches at the Blue School, where several other sports clubs are based. Wells Leisure Centre has a 25 m (82 ft) swimming pool, gymnasium, sports hall, sauna, steam room, relaxation area and solarium. The 18-hole Wells Golf Club
16899-471: Was added by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . The Mendip Hills Partnership, which performs an administrative role, includes the five local authorities that cover the AONB, statutory bodies such as Natural England , together with parish councils and other organisations and groups that have an interest in the conservation and care of the area. The Mendip Hills AONB staff unit of the partnership
17030-411: Was initially rejected by Mendip District Council, with the support of a range of local groups and organisations, on the grounds that the environmental impact on the edge of the AONB outweighed the amount of electricity which would be generated. In April 2006, however, a planning enquiry gave Ecotricity permission to build a 102 m (335 ft) turbine during the following year. The western end of
17161-532: Was recognised as a free borough by a Royal charter of King John in 1201. The city remained under episcopal control until its charter of incorporation from Queen Elizabeth I in 1589. City status was most recently confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent issued under the Great Seal dated 1 April 1974, which granted city status specifically to the civil parish ; on that date major local government reorganisation came into effect, which involved
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