In the Spotlight... Wells

March 08, 2018

Let us take you on a whistle-stop tour of our favourite UK holiday destinations. Wells is a beautiful Cathedral city in Somerset. To find out more, we’ll hand over to Leah, the store manager at FatFace Wells…

Leah, store manager at FatFace Wells, posing outside the store in FatFace clothes

Wells is the smallest city in England, and I like to think it’s the prettiest and the friendliest too. Come and wander through the handsome shopping streets and see the majestic Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. Later, you can get out of town and explore the beautiful Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels.

Visit our brilliant shops

You’ll find a great mix of high street shops and local independents in Wells. Our store is on the High Street, not far from the Cathedral and the marketplace. Market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays, and everyone flocks there for all the best local produce like cider, pies and cave-aged cheddar.

The Cathedral

Wells can get very busy in the summertime, but it’s always calm inside the cathedral and the stained glass is breath-taking. Wander down the beautifully preserved medieval Vicars’ Close and you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time. This area is perfect for a picnic – there's lots of green space. Queen Street Deli make the best sandwiches in Wells, so buy yourself lunch and pick a spot to sit down and eat.

The beautiful cathedral city of Wells, with cobbled streets and pretty houses

A Bishop’s Palace that feels like a castle

Cross the moat to the Bishop’s Palace and explore the fascinating old fortified buildings and 14 acres of gardens. Climb the ramparts for amazing views of the city, the Mendip Hills and Glastonbury Tor. Meet the famous swans that live in the moat and, if you’re lucky, see them ring their bell for food. If you’re here for the August bank holiday then look out for the fun annual Moat Race with homemade rafts.

Bishop's Palace in Wells, a majestic fortified building with a moat circling it

All that history can work up an appetite

Wells has some brilliant places to eat. The Square Edge Café is a quirky local favourite. It’s in an old house on the market square and you can gaze at the amazing interiors while you enjoy great coffee and food. The Good Earth is a fantastic vegetarian café with a wholefood and homewares shop. If you’re in Wells in the evening, then you can’t beat the classic food at The Fountain Inn or the burgers and dirty fries at Subhouse.

Explore the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels

The Mendip trail passes through Wells. This 50-mile route takes in the best of the steep rocky landscape of the Mendip Hills, with its gorges and grasslands. Nearby is the awe-inspiring Cheddar Gorge. Here you can walk the cliff top path or book a rock climbing session. Wookey Hole is also well worth a visit, although our tip is to get away from the crowds and book one of their energetic three-hour caving sessions. South of the Mendip Hills lies the Somerset Levels. This more gentle, marshy landscape is a haven for wildlife and it’s best explored on foot or bike! For the best views, climb Glastonbury Tor.

Clothes to take you anywhere

Wells has got it all: pretty streets and breath-taking countryside. You need versatile clothes that are good-looking, practical and can take you from shopping to hiking in a jiffy. I’ll always choose a simple vest top and a pair of navy cropped trousers to see me though my days – whether it’s in the shop, on a dog walk or having a bag of chips at Chew Valley Lake!