This week we explored the tiny city of Wells. Wells has a population of only 12,000 which makes it the smallest city in England.  It can call itself a city because of the famous 13th century Cathedral. With its historic city centre, magnificent medieval cathedral and Bishop’s Palace it remains remarkably unspoiled.

Luckily it was a Wednesday and the 900 year-old Wells Market Place was bustling with buyers and sellers of local produce from honey and soaps to cheeses and even pigeon breasts.

Wells Cathedral

Wells is the earliest English Cathedral to be built in the Gothic style and has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals.” It  is set in the medieval heart of the city along with the Bishop’s Palace, Vicars’ Close, St Cuthberts and other ancient marvels.

The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking with beautiful inverted arches, or ‘scissor arches’ and an amazing octagonal Chapter House. One of the most interesting things to see working was the the famous Wells Clock,  the second oldest clock mechanism in Great Britain. It was a sight to behold as the knights spun around jousting and the chimes sounded on the quarter hour just as they have been doing for hundreds of years. Unfortunately a large part of the Cathedral was being used for a memorial service but that just means we will have to go back.

Wells Clock

Vicars’ Close

Adjoining the Cathedral, Vicars’ Close, also known as Cathedral Close is believed to be the only complete medieval street left in England. The houses were built in the 14th century to provide accommodation for the Vicars Choral, who sing the daily services. This still the case and the day we were there many school students were arriving for music lessons. Vicars’ Close is also said to be the oldest continuously inhabited street in Europe. It is amazing to think how many uprisings, wars and bombardments these pretty houses have survived totally intact. If it weren’t for a couple of cars inconveniently parked it would be easy to imagine yourself here in the 14^th Century.

 

 

We ran out of time and sunshine to investigate the highly recommended Bishop’s Palace and grounds so will return to Wells another day.  Nearer to Christmas there is a famous Christmas market in the square so we will combine some shopping with further sightseeing.

Speaking of Christmas, we have booked a trip to Austria for Christmas as we feel it is our best chance of experiencing a white Christmas.  We will be staying in the Tyrol town of Niederau for 5 nights. In the days leading up to Christmas we will take day tours to Innsbruck and Salzburg and go up the mountain on the ski lift.  We are hoping to wake up to snow for a special Christmas Day with a sleigh ride through the forest followed in the evening by a buffet Christmas dinner with music and dancing. Sounds good, hope it lives up to the brochure.

We do have another secret Santa trip up our sleeves and will fill you in on that one as soon as it is all confirmed.

Have a great week everyone.  We have Rachael and Richard with us for a couple of days and are planning a quick trip to London next week to see them again before they fly home.

Love from Frankie and Jim xx