Wells is the smallest city in England and only has a population of about 10,000. The presence of its cathedral is what allows it to be qualifieg it as a city. Really it is more of a town or larger village. It is home to the Bishops of Bath. It cathedral is the highlight to any visits. Wells Cathedral is also one of the architectural highlights in all of Britain. It come complete the Gothic carvings, a unique scissors vault that braces the building against the shifting of its medieval foundation plus a magnificent chapter house.

The chapter house has a great staircase leading to it with worn steps. The Cathedral is home to one of the very oldest mechanical clocks still present in the UK. It has clockwork knights that come out to bow to each other every hour. The Cathedral was mostly built during the 12th through 14th centuries and this can be seen in its early Gothic architecture. Its west front is covered with a great collections of statues that are set in over 300 niches. There is a restoration currently going to restore those that have been destroyed or damaged through out the years.

Wells gets its name from the many fresh water wells that are located in the gardens and the Bishop's Palace. Long before Christianity was brought to the area, the wells have been a place to come and worship. There used to be a Roman mausoleum and a 7th century church at this site that was built by the then King.

In medieval Britain Wells was of the most prominent bishoprics. Since then a power struggles between Wells and a city to the north named Bath has grown. It stems from both believe they have the rights to be the Bishop's official seat. The problem was solved by creating a combined seat of Bath and Wells. The Bishops Palace is a reminder of this past. It is still the home of the Bishop. During the 14th century there was a fight between the bishop and the city. Because of this the palace was fortified by a moat and only given access by draw bridge. Now there are guides who volunteer to give tours to visitors and white swans swimming in its moat.

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The Wells Tourist Board gives comparable information to this page. If you require more information about Wells, you may be able to obtain it from the Wells Tourist Board.