The beautiful city that's 1 of UK's smallest but also 1 of its best places to live

The charming city of Wells in Somerset, one of the UK's smallest cities, has been recognised as one of the best places to live.

In 2020, The Sunday Times named this quaint country town-like city among the top spots to relocate to.

The poll's judges praised Wells for its rich history, bustling shopping scene (despite its small size), and excellent transport links.

READ MORE: The beautiful seaside town 3 hours from London that's absolutely rammed with Londoners

Parts of the Grade I listed Cathedral date back to the tenth century, with the gothic walls still welcoming worshippers and tourists today. The city's historical charm is also evident in other notable sites, including its namesake wells.

Three water springs are scattered across the city, one in the marketplace and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral. While they may not possess healing powers, visitors are drawn to their tranquillity and the beautiful gardens surrounding them.

Wells is bordered by ample green spaces, including the Somerset Levels and the Mendip Hills. Nearby attractions like Stonehenge and Cheddar Gorge offer perfect day trips from the lively city.

For those seeking a vibrant shopping experience, the city hosts a popular twice-weekly market. Whether you're window shopping or hunting for a unique gift, the market offers a fantastic selection of traders each week.

Despite the city's fresh produce available every Wednesday and Sunday, it's not particularly known for its culinary scene. In fact, a Muscle Food study ranked it as the least appealing for food enthusiasts in the country.

However, this study only considered factors such as the number of Michelin-starred restaurants, Uber Eats accessibility, and healthy dining options. So, rest assured, you can still find a tasty and affordable meal in town.

The Sunday Times Guide recommends places like Goodfellows, near the cathedral, for seafood lovers and Pickwicks for a classic afternoon tea. The city's architecture is another highlight, featuring medieval homes and townhouses with views of the cathedral.

But all these perks come with a hefty price tag. Properties in the last sold for an average of £479,000, according to Rightmove - not bad compared to London, but still quite dear compared to most of the rest of the country.

Getting there from London

The quickest way to get there from London is by train. Castle Cary station, 14 miles from Wells, offers services to London Paddington in just 1 hour and 37 minutes.

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