Wells, Somerset: Difference between revisions
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During [[World War II]], Wells was the |
During [[World War II]], Wells was the location of a 300person Prisioner of War camp during. Initially housing [[Italy|Italian]] prisoners from the [[Western Desert Campaign]], and later German prisoners post the [[Battle of Normandy]]. |
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==Tourism== |
==Tourism== |
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Revision as of 18:13, 21 June 2006
Template:Infobox England place with map Wells is a small city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, nestling in the Mendip Hills
The name Wells is due to the three famous wells situated in the centre, one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral
England's smallest city
It is England's smallest city with a population of around 10,000. It is the second smallest city in he UK after a city in Wales, St. Davids, and the third smallest city in the world (the smallest city in the world being in America). Wells is officially classed as a city because it has a cathedral, with parts of it dating back to the 10th century. It is one of the biggest Catherderals in the southwest, and costs £2,500 a day to maintain
History
The Bishop's Palace is famous and houses the well-known swans which ring a bell every time they want feeding. Wells has the oldest existing street in the world, Vicars' Close, which still has the original cobblestoned surface.
During the English Civil War, Parliamentarian troops used the Cathedral to stable their horses and damaged much of the ornate sculpture by using it for firing practice. William Penn is said to have passed through Wells shortly before leaving for America, spending a night at The Crown Inn.
PoW Camp
During World War II, Wells was the location of a 300person Prisioner of War camp during. Initially housing Italian prisoners from the Western Desert Campaign, and later German prisoners post the Battle of Normandy.
Tourism
Wells is a popular tourist destination, due to having several historical sites and also its proximity to Bath, Stonehenge and other popular sites. Also located nearby is the Wookey Hole cave system and the Somerset Levels. Wells is also part of the West Country Carnival circuit
Politics
Wells is a council in its own right, and sits in the Somerset district of Mendip. Wells UK Parliamentary representative is traditionally Conservative, and is presently David Heathcoat Amory [1]
Trivia
- Elizabeth Goudge used Wells as a basis for the fictional Cathedral city of Torminster, in her book City of Bells
See also
External links
- Wells City Council
- BBC Somerset
- Wells Millenium Tapestry
- Little Theatre site of the Wells Operatic Society
