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A visit to Wells has lots to offer for those who like to be active - from exploration of the fascinating historic medieval centre, to rambles and bike rides and more in the City’s stunning surroundings, the Mendip Hills.

 

As well as the links provided here, please visit Wells Tourist Information Centre next to the historic Town Hall to speak to our friendly, knowledgeable Staff and peruse our excellent range of local maps and guides for purchase. Amongst the items we stock are a detailed OS map of the Mendips and Cheddar Gorge, the new Lonely Planet pocket guide, and a slow travel guide which describes all the pursuits Wells and the area have to offer, for those who prefer a leisurely approach

 

Walking in Wells

Wells Walking Tours

"Get the most out of your visit to England's smallest city by coming along on one of our city tours. We will show you all of the well-known places and some of the hidden gems too."
 

Join us for a Heritage Walk on Wednesdays at 11.00am from Easter to mid-October (lasts approx. 1.5 hours). There is no need to book in advance, simply turn up at The Crown Hotel in the Market Place. There will be a wonderful market on that day too, so leave plenty of time to look around.
 

Or you could choose the Hot Fuzz Film Location Walk, and other walks including a Ghost Walk are often available. You can book these at any time of the year. Please visit our website for details of walks you can join in with, prices, and how to book a walk for you / your group, or email or phone us.
 

Website http://wellswalkingtours.co.uk

To book:
Tel: 01749 672438, Mobile: 07961 159122
Email - guide@wellswalkingtours.co.uk
 

Wells Walking Tours starts all of its walks from The Crown, Market Place, Wells BA5 2RP.

Wells City Trail

This 3 mile walk is in the form of a "figure of eight", allowing two shorter walks.  It takes the visitor around both the cathedral precincts and down the high street to discover almshouses and St Cuthbert's Church.
 

This invaluable walking tour map is available in A4 format at Wells Tourist Information Centre, situated next to the Town Hall BA5 2RB, cost £1.00.

 

Free Print at Home Walks

The Wells Swan Walks

Wells Walking Tours devised 4 self-guided walks in and around Wells taking in some of the best sights to see. The walks vary in length from 1.8 miles (approx. 45 minutes) to 4 miles (approx. 2.5 hours).
 

There are 4 sheets to download. Each one has a map with a marked route and notes on the back of the sheet describing the route and the features that can be seen along the way.

Our Tourist Information Office can also provide a copy of these walks.
 

Swan Walk 1: Wells - Tor Hill circular walk (pdf 612kb)
 

Swan Walk 2: Wells - Dinder circular walk (pdf 702kb)
 

Swan Walk 3: Wells - Milton circular walk (pdf 730kb)
 

Swan Walk 4: Wells - Wookey Hole circular walk (pdf 895kb)
 

Directions and original idea from Wells Walking Tours and maps designed by Black Dog of Wells. We have produced these maps for you to use for free. Please do not use the maps for commercial gain.
 

This project has been supported by the Swans of Wells, Mendip District Council, City of Wells Lions Club, The Bishop’s Palace, The Swan Hotel, and Wells Tourist Information.

St. Cuthbert’s: A Parish Trail

A 45-minute walking trail taking in St Cuthbert’s Parish Church and places of interest around the east part of the city.

St. Cuthbert’s the largest parish church in Somerset. The Church has a superb carved roof and its tall, splendid 15th century west tower, currently the third tallest in Somerset, is surely the main reason why this outstanding parish church is quite often mistaken for Wells Cathedral.

St Cuthbert's Parish Walk (pdf 564kb]

Wells Civic Society Blue Plaques Walk

Wells Civic Society Plaques are awarded to recognise distinctive features of the City, whether it may be people or places of merit associated with the City (Blue Plaques), buildings or streets with a distinctive history or association (Architectural Plaques), as well as local businesses (Indoor Plaques) that have made a long term contribution to the life of the City.
 


This walk is supported by a brand new free leaflet available from our Tourist Information Centre, or an online guide found here:
https://www.wellscivicsociety.org.uk/plaque-award-map

 

 

Walking & Cycling around Mendip

Cycle Racks

Please see the map below showing the cycle rack locations in Wells

 


 

The Strawberry Line

https://www.thestrawberryline.org.uk/
 

The Strawberry Line Path is an ambitious project aiming to create a continuous 30-mile traffic-free path spanning Mid-Somerset from Clevedon to Shepton Mallet.

It will follow as much of the old Strawberry Line trackbed as possible, and represents a wonderful opportunity to open up the countryside for cyclists, walkers of all ages, runners, parents with buggies and wheelchair users. When complete, it will connect over 70,000 people across Somerset in a beautiful and sustainable way, and provide a key section of the grand Somerset Circle.
 

The cycleway section from Yatton to Cheddar and smaller sections around Wells (Wells to Haybridge, Wells to Dulcote, and Wells to South Horrington) have already been completed and are there for you to enjoy today.

Drop into the Tourist Information Centre to pick up a free leaflet

The Avalon Marshes - Walking and cycling on the Somerset Levels

http://avalonmarshes.org/explore/things-to-do/walking/

The Avalon Marshes were a vital resource for local communities, including grazing, turf cutting, and reeds for thatching. As a result many footpaths, droves and lanes link these communities to the marshes. These are ideal for walking, and the Avalon Marshes Project has developed a series of Circular Heritage Walking Routes which help you fully explore the area. 
 

http://avalonmarshes.org/explore/things-to-do/cycling/

The flat landscape of the Avalon Marshes is perfect for cyclists with quiet lanes, droves and cycle paths. Route 3 of the National Cycle Network runs through the Avalon Marshes, connecting Glastonbury, Wells and Bridgwater, and nearby Route 33 provides a link with Highbridge Station.

The Old Railway Track links the Avalon Marshes Centre with Glastonbury and runs through the centre of Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall natures reserves. The Avalon Marshes project has developed four circular cycle routes which take in the best of the area and tell you about the heritage you will find along the way.

Outdoor Pursuits

Mendip Outdoor Pursuits
Lyncombe Drive
Churchill
North Somerset
BS255PQ.
01934 834877
https://www.mendip.co.uk/
 

Mendip Outdoor Pursuits is situated at the edge of the stunning Mendip Hills in North Somerset located between Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare. Since 1987 we have been providing high quality, tailor-made outward bound courses for organisations and individuals throughout the South West.
 

Fun Days Out: Whether you're having to entertain a noisy herd of hyperactive children, or looking for something different for an adult, social get together. We have over 15 activities suitable for any age from 8 to 80; giving you the chance to try something new, or enjoy something familiar with friends. Whatever you choose, we can provide an amazing day out.
 

Stag and Hen Parties: We've had many years’ experience arranging events for stag and hen parties. We can suggest and book accommodation, provide catering and transport. All you need to do is decide which of our range of exhilarating activities you would like to try.
 

Activities on offer: Kayaking, Open Canoeing, Raft Building, River Trips, Abseiling, Caving, Climbing, Archery, Assault Course, Bush Craft, Initiative Exercises, Mountain Walking, Navigation and Orienteering.
 

Mendip Ramblers

https://www.mendipramblers.co.uk
 

Mendip Ramblers have a programme of walks for every Thursday and Sunday with social events, weekends away and holidays:
 

Thursday Walks start at 10am and are usually about 6 miles finishing usually before 2pm. They are a slower pace than the Sunday walks averaging under 2 miles per hour. We stop at 11 am for a coffee break and around 12.30 for lunch, so bring a drink and packed lunch.
 

Sunday Walks start at 10 am and are usually 10 miles plus finishing around 4pm. They are at a faster pace than our Thursday walks with an average speed of 2.5 miles per hour. We stop at 11 am for a coffee break and around 12.30 for lunch, so bring a drink and packed lunch. We also stop for a short mid-afternoon break on our longer walks.
 

Dogs - well behaved and under control - are welcome on all our walks unless the walks details state otherwise.

Look at our current programme of walks to find one for you!

Mendip Society Walks

http://www.mendipsociety.org.uk/about/walking
 

The Mendip Society is a registered charity, No. 262867. It is a group of some 500 like-minded people who come together in the interests of conserving and enhancing the Mendip Hills and the surrounding area, for everyone to enjoy. The Society runs a comprehensive programme of walks, almost every weekend.
 

Visitors are welcome to join the walks for a £2 donation towards the work of the Mendip Society. Walks are sometimes for members only and this will be specified in the Programme.
 

Please wear suitable clothing and boots, and please ensure that the walk grade is suitable for your fitness level. All walkers must take personal responsibility for their own safety (and that of any accompanying children), informing the leader of any personal health matter which might affect them on that walk. Unless stated otherwise, well behaved dogs on leads are welcome on walks. Assistance Dogs are welcome on all walks.
 

Walks Grading System

Easy. Up to 4 miles (1 - 2 hrs) with less than 50m of continuous ascent, mainly low gradients or flat. Terrain mainly undemanding, e.g. reasonable paths used, little loose rock, stones, or large areas of mud or water.

Moderate. 4 to 6 miles (2 - 3 hrs) with 50m -150m of continuous ascent, terrain undulating but either one significant hill or several smaller ones. Terrain may include small areas of rock, loose stones, mud, & minor scrub. Most walks are expected to lie in this category.

Harder. More than 6 miles of the type of walking in the Moderate class, or continuous steep ascents of more than 150m (400ft), or a number of smaller steep hills, or more than one of these features.