Wells, Cathedral town in Somerset, England
This city in Somerset, England, holds the distinction of being the smallest in the country. The cityscape is dominated by a medieval cathedral with elaborate stonework, while narrow lanes lead from the central square to residential quarters built of stone and brick.
The settlement grew around sacred springs already used in Roman times, which gave the place its name. The cathedral was begun in the 12th century and expanded over several centuries, with different phases of Gothic construction layering upon one another.
The three springs that gave this place its name emerge at the foot of the cathedral and formed the center of civic life for centuries. Visitors can still see the well structures today around the market square, where clear water flows into stone basins.
The central area around the cathedral is easy to explore on foot, as most points of interest lie close together. The local museum at Cathedral Green opens several days a week and displays exhibits about regional geology and archaeology.
The moat at the Bishop's Palace is home to mute swans that have been trained over generations to ring a bell when they want food. Visitors can watch this behavior, which is not seen at any other urban moat in Britain.
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