Last year, consumer watchdog Which? named Wells in Somerset as the best inland town in the UK.
Despite being a city, Wells tops the list thanks to its attractiveness, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping and food and drink.
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Consumer Guardian Which? named Wells in Somerset the best inland town in the UKCredit: Getty
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Vicar’s Close claims to be the oldest residential street in EuropeCredit: Getty
Consumer Champion surveyed over 9,000 Which? members to discover the best towns and villages in the UK.
Members were asked to rate their experience of visiting inland locations in the past year.
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Wells’ photogenic architecture is a big reason why people visit the city, and the cathedral tops TripAdvisor’s list of the best things to do.
The 850-year-old structure is said to be the first cathedral built in the Gothic style in England.
Not only does it have one of the oldest medieval dials in the world, it hides another unique attraction.
Just a stone’s throw from the cathedral is Vicar’s Close, claimed to be the oldest residential street in Europe.
Built in the 14th century, the picturesque neighborhood is still home to its original buildings.
The cobbled street was built more than 650 years ago to house the parish choir, and their heirs still live in these houses today.
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The residential street has been rated 4.5/5 stars based on more than 1000 reviews on TripAdvisor.
One visitor wrote: “Wandered here after visiting the cathedral. It’s picturesque and exactly as described – apart from a few cars, you could convince yourself you’ve stepped back in time.”
Another person added: “Fascinating and unique little street of houses dating back to the 14th century.”
On the other hand, the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens – 14 hectares of land surrounded by a moat – are also high on the list of things to do in the city.
Other attractions in the small town include Wells Market Place, which operates twice a week.
There is also Square, an indoor soft play center in the heart of the city.
However, there is more to Wells than church buildings, with the nearby Ebbor Gorge also receiving much praise from visitors.
Discovering Britain describes it as “the most beautiful and unspoilt gorge in the Mendips”.
Limestone Gorge is a Biological Area of Special Scientific Interest and is now managed by Natural England as a National Nature Reserve.
In addition to the wildlife, visitors can expect families climbing the limestone walls and nearby hiking trails and making good use of them.
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For those with a slightly more adventurous spirit, Wookey Hole is not much further afield, where visitors can go on expeditions through some of the country’s most famous caves.
The picturesque town has appeared in some major film and television productions, including Hot Fuzz, Dungeons and Dragons and Wolf Hall.
Visitors can imagine following in the footsteps of film stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth and Emily Blunt as they stroll through England’s smallest town.
Wells is a 40 minute drive from Bath and a 90 minute drive from Exeter.
There are also many other quaint towns and villages to visit in the UK, including Bournville in Birmingham.
Bournville, Birmingham
Located in South West Birmingham, Bournville is a small village built by the Cadbury family.
Although the model village may sound quite idyllic, it is not without its flaws.
Due to its Quaker heritage, there are no pubs in Bournville, so those residents and tourists who like a quick drink have to visit boozers in other parts of Birmingham, such as Selly Oak and Stirchley.
Painswick, Cotswolds
Often referred to as the “Queen of the Cotswolds” by tourism experts and tour operators, Painswick has also been named the UK’s “most magical” town by tourists on TikTok.
Although Painswick is quite small, there are several places for day-trippers to explore, including St Mary’s Church.
The church is located in the heart of the city and is surrounded by a church yard dotted with graves, tombs and 99 yew trees.
Another small UK village has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.
And an abandoned village in England opens for tourists only once a year.
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1. Bristol
The artsy port city topped the list and is bursting with culture and hip cafes dotted along the River Avon.
A bustling hub of creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy, and you can admire some of his best early work on a free walking tour.
2. The carcass
The Humberside port town started gaining recognition last year and has a thriving nightlife – if that’s what you’re after.
The Old Town is full of history and elegant buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell, and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
3. Isles of Scilly
Just off the coast of Cornwall, it’s easy to see why the archipelago made the top three.
Here, golden sandy beaches await you where you will be able to see dolphins behind the shore, as well as waterfront pubs that serve hearty meals.
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Wells is the smallest town in EnglandCredit: Getty
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