
WALK 2
WELLS SE
The Cathedral, Bishops Palace and a quarry
Excellent views but difficult terrain beyond Dulcote quarry
Distance 10.9 Km/ 6.8 miles
Total ascent/descent 194m
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/25702134
Updated October 2023 Comments to [email protected]
1 From the bus-stop at Wells(1) bus station (GR546 456) bear R along road beside taxi rank then L through railings and turn R (SP Cathedral). After 50m at junction, go R for 50m then sharp L into Broad St and bear R along High St (SP Cathedral). After 50m just beyond pedestrian crossing, go R along Guardhouse Lane and at the end go L for 70m and beyond car-park go R along a tarmac path by football pitch to reach Silver Street by Bishop’s Barn(2). Go L 400m passing a moat on the L then ahead to reach gate and road [1.1Km]
2 (GR554 458) Go straight across and after 50m go R up steps into Tor Hill Woods. At top of steps continue along clear path to reach a gate and open area. Go along broad grassy track with hedge on R to wooded area and follow 100m L to gate at Tor Hill exit sign. Go ahead with hedge on R as it bears R to reach a field. Continue following hedge 600m to gate in far R corner to reach a lane [1.0 Km]
3 (GR562 455) Go L along lane for 350m, pass to L of gate (SP Bridleway) and continue between woods and golf course. After 800m go through gate and bear L then R to field. Follow broad track across field, through wooded area to another field and continue ahead with boundary on L to gate [2.1Km]
4 (GR581 455) At gate turn clockwise almost 180 degrees and follow track with hedge/wall on L descending for 1Km past Sharcombe Park to reach Dinder. At the church go L, bear R by phone box and after 80m ahead at junction then 200m to reach A371 [1.4Km]
5 (GR575 443) Go straight across to steps and stile and ascend keeping hedge to R to reach a stile. Climb very steeply through wood with wall on R. At the top bear R with wall descending gradually. Continue along ridge to a crossing fence with a view down to Dulcote(3) quarry. Retrace steps for 70m watching carefully for post with waymark. Here go 90 degrees L and descend steeply passing a pile of stones into the wood. Go down the faint path as it bears generally L with occasional marker. Follow marks carefully along the undulating track for 400m and take L fork ascending. Go ahead, following markers and fork L at next waymark until the path descends to reach a broad grassy track. Go R for 150m to the A371. Cross and go over stile then sharp R along fence and follow to tarmac road. Go ahead 200m and at church go R 50m then L at fountain by grass triangle cross road and follow for 700m to end of pavement. Cross road and fork L (SP Public Footpath) [2.7Km]
6 (GR562 452) Follow tarmac path across fields for 1Km and pass through double gate to reach moat. Go ahead for 250m passing the Bishop’s Palace(4) (entrance to R). Go L through the large archway into the Market Place. After viewing the buildings, go through Penniless Porch (L of London House) to pass the west front of the Cathedral(5). At road beyond, go R then under arch and L into Vicar’s Close. At the end, go ahead along narrow path to emerge in The Liberty opposite Wells Cathedral School(6). Go L and after 150m go L at mini-roundabout then bear L into Sadler Street. At the Market Place, go R along High Street and after 200m go R at fork then L by City Arms into Queen Street and R into Market Street to reach the bus station [2.6Km]
2 (GR554 458) Go straight across and after 50m go R up steps into Tor Hill Woods. At top of steps continue along clear path to reach a gate and open area. Go along broad grassy track with hedge on R to wooded area and follow 100m L to gate at Tor Hill exit sign. Go ahead with hedge on R as it bears R to reach a field. Continue following hedge 600m to gate in far R corner to reach a lane [1.0 Km]
3 (GR562 455) Go L along lane for 350m, pass to L of gate (SP Bridleway) and continue between woods and golf course. After 800m go through gate and bear L then R to field. Follow broad track across field, through wooded area to another field and continue ahead with boundary on L to gate [2.1Km]
4 (GR581 455) At gate turn clockwise almost 180 degrees and follow track with hedge/wall on L descending for 1Km past Sharcombe Park to reach Dinder. At the church go L, bear R by phone box and after 80m ahead at junction then 200m to reach A371 [1.4Km]
5 (GR575 443) Go straight across to steps and stile and ascend keeping hedge to R to reach a stile. Climb very steeply through wood with wall on R. At the top bear R with wall descending gradually. Continue along ridge to a crossing fence with a view down to Dulcote(3) quarry. Retrace steps for 70m watching carefully for post with waymark. Here go 90 degrees L and descend steeply passing a pile of stones into the wood. Go down the faint path as it bears generally L with occasional marker. Follow marks carefully along the undulating track for 400m and take L fork ascending. Go ahead, following markers and fork L at next waymark until the path descends to reach a broad grassy track. Go R for 150m to the A371. Cross and go over stile then sharp R along fence and follow to tarmac road. Go ahead 200m and at church go R 50m then L at fountain by grass triangle cross road and follow for 700m to end of pavement. Cross road and fork L (SP Public Footpath) [2.7Km]
6 (GR562 452) Follow tarmac path across fields for 1Km and pass through double gate to reach moat. Go ahead for 250m passing the Bishop’s Palace(4) (entrance to R). Go L through the large archway into the Market Place. After viewing the buildings, go through Penniless Porch (L of London House) to pass the west front of the Cathedral(5). At road beyond, go R then under arch and L into Vicar’s Close. At the end, go ahead along narrow path to emerge in The Liberty opposite Wells Cathedral School(6). Go L and after 150m go L at mini-roundabout then bear L into Sadler Street. At the Market Place, go R along High Street and after 200m go R at fork then L by City Arms into Queen Street and R into Market Street to reach the bus station [2.6Km]
FOR A SHORTER WALK Distance 5.0 Km/ 3.1 miles
Follow to the end of point 2 and go across lane to cross stile bearing slightly R to a gate. Descend steeply keeping hedge to R to reach a hedge gap at a road. Cross and follow from point 6.
Follow to the end of point 2 and go across lane to cross stile bearing slightly R to a gate. Descend steeply keeping hedge to R to reach a hedge gap at a road. Cross and follow from point 6.
For car travellers:
Park in Union St or Tucker St car parks. Selected on-street parking is free on Sundays.
Park in Union St or Tucker St car parks. Selected on-street parking is free on Sundays.
Refreshments:
Cafés/pubs in Wells
Cafés/pubs in Wells
1 Wells was settled in Roman times but became more important when King Ine founded a church in 704. It is England's smallest city.
2 The Bishop's Barn was built as a tithe barn in the 15th century of local stone with a Westmorland slate roof.
3 Quarrying at Dulcote started in 1890 and finished in 2012. It is now a Bighams food production site
4 The Bishop's Palace has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years.
5 Wells Cathedral (built 1175-1490) is noted for its west facade, scissor arches, capitals and original glass.
6 Wells Cathedral School, founded in 909, is one of five established music schools for children in the UK. Its buildings include Vicars Close a street of 14th century houses, mostly Grade I listed, claimed to be the oldest of its type in Europe
2 The Bishop's Barn was built as a tithe barn in the 15th century of local stone with a Westmorland slate roof.
3 Quarrying at Dulcote started in 1890 and finished in 2012. It is now a Bighams food production site
4 The Bishop's Palace has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years.
5 Wells Cathedral (built 1175-1490) is noted for its west facade, scissor arches, capitals and original glass.
6 Wells Cathedral School, founded in 909, is one of five established music schools for children in the UK. Its buildings include Vicars Close a street of 14th century houses, mostly Grade I listed, claimed to be the oldest of its type in Europe