A UK city that’s also a frequently used Hollywood filming location has taken number one spot in a list of favourite places in the country.
Wells in Somerset has featured in some major movie and television productions including Hot Fuzz, Dungeons and Dragons and Wolf Hall.
GettyVicar’s Close is said to be the oldest intact residential street in Europe[/caption]
GettyThe Cathedral is the highest rated attraction in the city on TripAdvisor[/caption]
Hot Fuzz, Dungeons and Dragons and Wolf Hall were all filmed in the cityRex
Visitors can imagine following in the footsteps of film stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth, and Emily Blunt when walking through England’s smallest city.
As well as on the big screen, it can now also be seen at the top of a list of the best inland locations in the UK.
Its photogenic architecture is a huge reason people visit the city, with Wells Cathedral top of the list of best things to do on TripAdvisor.
More than 3,900 reviews have left it with an overall score of 5/5, with one reviewer describing it as “one of the best and most beautiful cathedrals in England.”
Just a stone’s throw from the cathedral is the medieval Vicar’s Close, which is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street, with original buildings surviving intact, in Europe.
To this day, the ornate road houses all twelve men of the Vicar’s Choral, the cathedral’s choir, plus it also provides residence for the organists, students, bellringers, and vergers who serve the cathedral.
Construction of the street began in 1348 and is said to have finished in 1430.
One TripAdvisor reviewer said it was “like stepping back in time” while another said it was both “ornate and exquisite”.
Elsewhere, the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens – 14 acres of land surrounded by a moat – are also high up on the list of things to do in the city.
However, there’s more to Wells than church buildings, with the nearby Ebbor Gorge also taking plenty of plaudits from visitors.
It’s described by Discovering Britain as the “loveliest and most unspoilt gorge in the Mendips”.
The limestone gorge is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and is now managed by Natural England as a national nature reserve.
As well as wildlife, visitors can expect to see families clambering all over, and making great use of, the limestone walls and the walking trails nearby.
For those who are a bit more adventurous, Wookey Hole is not much further away, where visitors can go on an expedition through some of the country’s most famous caves.
One of the more than 2,000 five-star TripAdvisor reviews reads: “Wow! What an amazing experience! These caves are BEAUTIFUL!”
The cave is also famous for its cheese, with the temperature inside the caverns perfect for maturing cheddar.
A night in Wells can be found from £56 per night for two online, while camping pitches in Somerset can be found from £9.
Consumer champions Which? put the city at the top of their list of inland destinations.
They did that after they surveyed more than 9,000 members, asking them to rate their experiences of visiting inland towns and villages in the last year.
Criteria included scenery, food and drink, peace and quiet, tourist attractions, and value for money.
Wells in Somerset was declared the UK’s favourite following the survey, despite being one of the country’s smallest cities.
The South West dominated the top three, with Wells scoring 83 per cent and taking first place.
The medieval city scored a full five stars for attractiveness and tourist attractions, and boasts stunning architecture, including its famous cathedral.
It also scored four stars for shopping, scenery, food and drink.
Meanwhile, this UK town gets called “the most magical” in England.
And this is the top seaside town in England, according to travel experts.
AlamyBritain’s famous Wookey Hole caves are just a stone’s throw from the city[/caption]
GettyThe Bishop’s Palace and gardens is a 14-acre plot of land surrounded by a moat[/caption]