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Wells has a fascinating historic medieval centre - but we realise that this can present a challenge to some of our visitors in terms of access and enjoyment.

We are working with attractions, restaurants and accommodation providers to ensure that visitors with particular needs are able to plan how to get the most out of their visit.

Accessibility in Wells

Disabled Parking

All major car parks have designated disabled bays.  Owing  to the increasing number of Blue Badge holders, designated spaces tend to fill up quickly, therefore, Blue Badge holders may park free of charge in any marked bay Please see the tariff boards in the car parks for any time restrictions that apply. 

There are allocated disabled spots for on street parking in the High Street (max 3 hours) and on the Cathedral Green (max 3 hours). Parking in the Market Place is not available.

Accessible Toilets

Disabled facilities are available in Union Street and Princes Road Car parks, Wells Recreation Ground and Town Hall Buildings (next to Town Hall).  Radar keys are available from the Town Hall. 

 

Wells City Council provides a Changing Places facility at the rear of Wells Town Hall. 

The key is available from Town Hall Reception on Monday - Friday 09.00 - 16.00

There is parking reserved for the use of this facility immediately outside the Changing Places entrance

Getting around in the centre of Wells

Although pavements around the city centre are of uneven natural stone and occasionally cobbled, there are numerous dropped curbs on Cathedral Green and in the Market Place. The access around the Bishop's Palace moat and into the Recreation Ground with its Bandstand and Bishops Barn is suitable for wheelchairs.

Access in popular attractions

Most parts of the Cathedral are accessible with the exception of the Chapter House and Library.  There are toilet facilities for disabled visitors.  A lift gives access to the restaurant.  A Hearing loop system is installed.  Guide dogs are permitted.  Wheelchair loan available, please enquire at the Cathedral Information Desk.

The majority of the Bishop's Palace gardens, including St Andrew’s Wells are accessible by wheelchair, as are the ground floor rooms in the Palace, the Chapel of St Mark and the Holy Trinity, and the Bishops Table Restaurant.  Lift available to first floor.

Disabled access is good throughout the Town Hall (lift to the 1st floor, lift platforms to the Mezzanine floor). There are toilet facilities for disabled visitors on the ground floor and the first floor.

At the museum, a reduced entrance fee is offered to wheelchair users, owing to limited access.  A digital screen on the ground floor shows images of displays on the first floor.

Shopping

Wells City Centre is a mixture of buildings from the medieval to the modern, making accessibility very varied from shop to shop.  There are many dropped kerbs throughout the city to ease your way around the city.  Morrisons Supermarket has scooters available for use in the store, Waitrose has wheelchairs

Eating out

Wheelchair access is available at the Cathedral Restaurant, The Crown at Wells, Ask, Bishop's Palace Restaurant, The Swan Hotel Restaurant, Goodfellows, Rugantino’s (Cathedral Green entrance), Bar Italia, Pickwicks, Da Lucianos Pizzeria and Tuckers Fish & Chip Restaurant.