The cathedral and the associated religious and medieval architectural history provide
much of the employment. The city has a variety of sporting and cultural activities and houses several schools including
coeducational comprehensive school that was founded in 1641, and the privateWells 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 the city being used as a shooting location for numerous films and television programmes.[8]
History
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.[9] 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 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
salt in exchange.[10] Wells had been a centre for cloth making; however, in the 16th and 17th centuries this diminished, but the city retained its important market focus.[11] Wells in the 19th century had the largest cheese market in the west of England.[12]
Wells was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Welle, from the Old Englishwiells,[13] not as a town but as four manors with a population of 132, which implies a population of 500–600.[14] Earlier names for the settlement have been identified which include Fontanetum,[15] in a charter of 725 granted by King Ina to Glastonbury and Fontanensis Ecclesia.[15] "Tidesput" or "Tithesput furlang" relates to the area east of the bishop's garden in 1245.[16] Wells was part of, and gave its name to, the hundred of Wells Forum.
Wells had been granted charters to hold markets by
civil parish;[19][20] on that date major local government reorganisation came into effect, which involved the abolition of the municipal borough of Wells.[21]
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 a dinner for members of the queen's household including her four maids of honour.[22] The Venetian ambassador Antonio Foscarini recorded her delight.[23]
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 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.[24]
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.[25] During 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.[26] 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 the majority sentenced to death.[27]
Wells first station,
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.[30]
During
Western Desert Campaign, and later German prisoners after the Battle of Normandy. Penleigh Camp on the Wookey Hole Road was a German working camp.[31]
Governance
Arms of Wells City Council
Shield
Argent in base a Mount Vert thereon an Ash Tree proper between three Wells Gules; the Shield ensigned by a Mural Crown Or.
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).[33][34]
The City Council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover 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
CCTV, an alcohol ban and regulating street trading permissions including the two funfairs held in the Market Place in May and November each year and the Wells in Bloom competition.[34] 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 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.[34]
water wells, crested with a gold mural crown, with the Latin motto Hoc fonte derivata copia (translated: "the fullness that springs from this well").[44]
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.[45]
As the seat of an ancient cathedral and diocese, Wells is historically regarded as a city.[50] City status was most recently confirmed by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent dated 1 April 1974, which granted city status specifically to the civil parish.[19] As the designation is typically awarded to a local council area,[51] 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:[52]
Its city council boundary area, surrounded wholly by countryside makes Wells the smallest free-standing city in the UK (2.11 sq mi)[53] - the City of London is smaller (1.12)[54] but is part of a much larger urban area (Greater London - 671 sq mi)[55]
2nd smallest in England and UK by city council boundary area (2.11 sq mi) behind the City of London (1.12)
2nd smallest in England only by population and urban area (10,536 residents, 1.35 sq mi)[56] behind the City of London (8,072, 1.12)
4th smallest in the UK by population and urban area behind St Davids (1,841 residents, 0.23 sq mi),[57]St Asaph (3,355, 0.50)[58] and the City of London (8,072, 1.12).
Geography
Wells lies at the foot of the southern escarpment of the
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,[59]
approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) from the centre of the city.
temperate climate which is generally wetter and milder than 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 °C (34 °F) and 2 °C (36 °F). July and August are the warmest months in the region with mean daily maxima around 21 °C (70 °F). In general, December 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.[64]
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.[64]
The civil parish of Wells is entirely surrounded by the parish of St Cuthbert Out.
Demography
The population of the civil parish, recorded in the
2011 census, was 10,536.[3] Of this number 97.5% are ethnically White (with the more specific White British category recorded at 93.5%)[65] and 66.5% described themselves as Christian.[66] The mean average age in 2011 was 41.9 years (the median age being 43).[67] The population recorded for the Wells civil parish in the 2001 census was 10,406.[68]
Economy
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.[69] Wells is a popular tourist destination, due to its historical sites,[70] its proximity to Bath, Stonehenge and Glastonbury and its closeness to the Somerset coast. Also nearby are Wookey Hole Caves, 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.[71]
The nearest station today for the national rail network is Bristol Temple Meads which is easily accessible via the 376 bus route.
Education
Specialist science college status. It has 1,641 students aged 11–18 of both sexes and all ability levels.[79]
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.[80]
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 Film Centre shows current releases and, in conjunction with the Wells Film Society shows less well known and historical films.
Flemish bond brickwork with Art Deco features. It is a Grade II listed building,[83] and was on the Buildings at Risk Register until its restoration which included the restoration and repair of the stained glass façade.[84] 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.[85]
Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England.[86]
Church of St Cuthbert has a Somerset stone tower and a carved roof. Originally an Early English building (13th century), it was much altered in the Perpendicular period.[20] The nave's coloured ceiling was repainted in 1963 at the instigation of the then Vicar's wife, Mrs Barnett.[92][93] 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.[94] Bells were cast for the tower by Roger Purdy.[95]
The cathedral is the seat of the Church of EnglandDiocese of Bath and Wells. Wells has been an ecclesiastical city of importance since at least the early 8th century. Parts of the building date back to the tenth century, and it is a grade I listed building.[99] 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,[100] retaining almost 300 of its original medieval statues,[101] carved from the cathedral's warm, yellow Doulting stone.[102] The Chapter House, at the top of a flight of stone stairs, leading out from the north transept is an octagonal building with a fan-vaulted ceiling.[103] 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 the heaviest ring of ten bells in the world. The tenor bell weighs just over 56 CWT (6,272 lb, 2,844 kg).[104]
venue. No longer a cricket ground, it is now occupied in part by Wells FC.
Mid-Somerset
Astroturf pitches at the Blue School,[121] where several other sports clubs are based.[122] Wells Leisure Centre has a 25 m (82 ft) swimming pool, gymnasium, sports hall, sauna, steam room, relaxation area and solarium.[123] The 18-hole Wells Golf Club is on the outskirts of the city and also has a 24-bay driving range with optional grass tees.[124]
In popular culture
Elizabeth Goudge used Wells as a basis for the fictional cathedral city of Torminster, in her book A City of Bells (1936), and its two sequels Sister of the Angels (1939) and Henrietta's House (1942: The Blue Hills, USA title).[125]
Wells has been used as the setting for several films including:
John Keate – born in Wells 1773, went on to become headmaster at Eton where he restored discipline with the birch, and once flogged 80 boys in one day.[144]
Harry Patch – last trench veteran of World War I, and at 111, briefly the oldest man in Europe and 3rd oldest man in the world. He was born in the nearby village of Combe Down and at the time of his death in July 2009 he was living in local care home Fletcher House.[147]
^Black Dog of Wells (2016). "Film and Television in Wells". The Crown at Wells, C1450. The Crown at Wells and Anton's Bistrot. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
^"Medieval town, Wells". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
^"DIAMOND JUBILEE CIVIC HONOURS COMPETITIONS - ENTRY GUIDELINES"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2019. Her Majesty The Queen has agreed that competitions may be held for a grant of city status and a grant of Lord Mayoralty (called a Lord Provostship in Scotland) to mark Her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
1. Any local authority (district, borough, parish/town/community or unitary council) in any part of the United Kingdom which considers that its area deserves to be granted the rare honour of city status on this very special occasion is welcome to enter the competition....
3. Applications may only be made by an elected local authority – normally, in respect of the entire local authority area.
^"Film Locations". Cross-Crosscombe. 20 April 2016. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017. During the past couple of years Wells has played host to a mix of documentaries, period and modern dramas and a Hollywood blockbuster or two. The city featured in acclaimed TV drama, Wolf Hall, The Great British Food Trip with Terry Wogan (R.I.P) and big budget film, The Huntsman to name but a few. (See a comprehensive list here.)
^"Filming and Photography". The Bishop's Palace. 4 January 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017. ... the backdrop to many films and tv shows. Recent film work here includes
^"Stop 5: Wells, Somerset". Britannia's Magical History Tour. Britania Travels. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
^Hooper, James (7 June 1994). "To he who lit the Stygian caves". Depth through thought -OUCC News. Oxford University Cave Club. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
^Thompson, Frederic F. (1987). "Holloway, John". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. VI (1821–1835) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
^James Vaughan in the 1891 Census for England and Wales
^Davidson, Max (2 August 2008). "Town vs gown: Wells, Somerset". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
^Longford, Elizabeth Wellington- the Years of the Sword Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1969