SOMERSET
GUIDE AUTUMN 2024
THE CULINARY ARTS
WALKS & GARDENS
ART & CULTURE
GETTING HERE
THE CULINARY ARTS
WELLS
WhileWells is short on dining options in the evening (there are only two we rate), there are many wonderful cafes to enjoy during the day, plus the market onWednesday and Saturday.
Root Wells 12 Sadler Street
We were thrilled when Root Bristol decided to open a restaurant here in Wells. Just across the street from the gallery, it is a vegetarian-led sharing plate restaurant showcasing local produce and meats. And it is delicious. Worth visiting Wells just to eat here. https://www.rootwells.co.uk/
Goodfellows @7B Thomas Street
Located in a townhouse just outside of town, this newly re-opened and re-located restaurant has a lot more charm than when it was our neighbour on Sadler Street. Chef Adam Fellows is best known for his fish dishes which are always excellent. https://www.7bwells.co.uk/
The Bishop’s Eye 12 Marketplace
This Grade II building quite possible has the best spot in Wells to enjoy a drink, a (West Country) cheese plate and some people watching, particularly in the warmer months. https://www.bishopseye.com/
Strangers with Coffee 31 St Cuthbert Street, across from St. Cuthbert’s church
Open from 8am and serving exceptionally coffee, this is one of our favourite stops in the morning. https://www.instagram.com/strangerscoffeewells
LOAF. 38 Market Street
Tucked away in a courtyard off Queen Street, LOAF serves a fantastic breakfast, makes a very good coffee and wonderful food throughout the day, especially in the months when its . It is very family-friendly so pick your timing depending upon whether you have children with you! https://www.loafisbaking.co.uk/
Sante Wines 10 Heritage Courtyard
Recently opened in the Heritage Courtyard just below GBS Fine Art, Sante is an independent wine and coffee house. It is open for breakfast and lunch and boasts a remarkable selection of wines you can take home for dinner. https://santewines.shop/
Good Earth Café 4-6 Priory Road
A Wells institution, this large, counter service restaurant focused on local, vegetableforward dishes opened in Wells in the 1970’s first with its “Back-to-Basics” Wholefood Store which is just across the courtyard. http://www.thegoodearthwells.co.uk/
Queen Street Deli
Tasty soup and sandwiches for take-away. Along with lots of gourmet food, so great to stock up on cheese, biscuits, chocolates, etc. https://www.instagram.com/queenstdeli
THE CULINARY ARTS
SOMERSET DINING EXPERIENCES
Somerset is home to a burgeoning culinary scene, as noted last fall in the Guardian. As we try the new places opening up we will continue to update this list!
Osip Bruton BA10 0AB (13mi)
Though it can be impossible to get a weekend booking given how tiny the restaurant is, the wait and the persistence are worth it. The food that they serve is not just fresh and local but also creative, memorable, and delicious. Their Michelin star is very much deserved and if a second is awarded that would be, too. Their more casual restaurant next door, the Old Pharmacy, is delicious, too. https://osiprestaurant.com/
HOLM Somerset South Petherton TA13 5BW (10mi)
Wonderful ambiance, delicious food, a fantastic wine list and personable staff. The only complaint is that HOLM decided to open in South Petherton instead of Wells. Otherwise, worth the drive from Wells and very close to one of our favourite National Trust properties, Montecute. https://holmsomerset.co.uk
Clockspire Sherborne DT9 5BA (25mi)
At the edge of Somerset in what was originally a school built by Sir William Medlycott in 1864 you will find the best wine list in Somerset (along with some truly delicious food). The interiors are beautiful and the service impeccable. Absolutely worth it for any special occasion you might want to celebrate. https://www.theclockspire.com/
OTHER SOMERSET FAVOURITES
Cafes, gastropubs and farm-to-table restaurants we like to frequent…
The Litton Radstock BA3 4PW (7mi) https://thelitton.co.uk/ Talbot Inn & Pub Mells BA11 3PN (13mi) https://www.talbotinn.com/ At The Chapel Bruton BA10 0AE (13mi) https://atthechapel.co.uk/ Roth Bar Bruton Bruton BA10 0NL (13mi) https://www.rothbarandgrill.co.uk/ Garden Cafe at the Newt Hadspen BA7 7NG (15mi) https://thenewtinsomerset.com/
The Pig Near Bath Pensford BS39 4NS (15mi) https://www.thepighotel.com/near-bath/ Rye Bakery Frome BA11 3BY (16mi) https://www.rye-bakery.com/ Red Lion Babcary TA11 7ED (17mi) https://redlionbabcary.co.uk/
The Barley Wood Café BS20 5SA (17.9 mi) https://www.walledgarden.co.uk/ Colona & Smalls BA1 1HT (20 mi) https://www.instagram.com/colonnacoffee
WALKS & GARDENS
When in Somerset you are really spoiled for choice with the number of walks, hikes and gardens to enjoy. This is not an exhaustive list but some of our favourites.
Bishop’s Palace Wells
Just past Wells Cathedral, surrounded by a moat is the Bishop’s Palace. Its gardens are some of the best in Somerset, the views to the cathedral are beautiful and there is a fantastic playground for children. Well worth the admission fee.
Mendip Hills Surrounding Wells
For ease of parking, set your SatNav for the Lynchcombe Nature Reserve, part of the Somerset Wildlife Trust. From there you will have views of the Mendips and on clear days onto Bristol Channel.
Cheddar Gorge Cheddar, 8mi
A winding road that is reminiscent of the Dolomites takes you from Wells to Cheddar. From there, excellent hikes, beautiful vistas and opportunities for climbing and caving abound.
Glastonbury Tor Glastonbury, x
Quite a steep hike but it doesn’t take as long as it looks. Just be sure to wear appropriate footwear, particularly if it has been raining. Worth it for the views and, for some, the mystical vibes.
Admiral Hood Monument Somerton, 7mi
A very gentle walk along the crest of a hill with views to both the Glastonbury Tor and the fields of Somerton.
Kilver Court Castle Cary
Very close to the Castle Cary train station so perfect if you have some extra time before a train. And there are also outlets for Mulberry and Yves Delorme adjacent.
National Trust Properties: Stourhead near Bruton
Lytes Cary and Montacute near Somerton
Dyrham Park between Bristo and Bath
All four properties are incredibly unique and not to be missed. If we were to only choose one it would be Stourhead with Montacute a close second. Carve out at least two hours to visit Stourhead -- its grounds were one of the inspirations for Central Park in NYC. Montacute history, gardens and architecture (along with works on loan from the National Portrait Gallery) will impress all ages. Lytes Cary is smaller but very engaging, especially for lovers of the Arts & Crafts movement. Dyrham Park is the perfect stop should your
WALKS & GARDENS
Journey take you via the M4 to Somerset. It has one of the most impressive driveways, remarkable views and beautiful gardens.
Alfred’s Tower near Bruton
An impressive folly built by the owners of Stourhead in xx. It is adjacent to Stourhead but not part of the National Trust property There are plenty of walks that start here and the Tower itself delights and engages the imagination of children.
The Gardens at the Newt Bruton Worth the admission/membership fee. No expense has been spared in the design of the gardens. Venture beyond the walled gardens to enjoy an obstacle course in the forest by the deer park and beautiful views of the surrounding area.
The Gardens at Hauser & Wirth Bruton
Designed by Piet Oudolf and the permanent home of the 2014 Serpentine Summer Pavilion designed by Chilean architect Smijan Radić. Particuarly worth a visit in the spring or summer when the garden really comes to life.
Nunny Castle Near Frome
These are the ruins of a small castle just outside of Frome. Not necessarily worth a visit on its own merit unless you are traveling with young children as it is the perfect scale for them. Plus, it is very convenient to both Frome and to Stourhead if you want to stretch your legs and get a bit of history before/after the Frome Independent market. a visit to Stourhead or trip to Palate & Pasture (for gelato, bouncy castles, pumpkin picking, etc…).
The American Museum Bath
This quirky museum has incredible gardens with views of the Cotswolds. Its 2.5 acres of formal gardens were recently renovated by US garden designers Oehme, van Sweden and include a replica of the gardens at MountVernon.
ARTS & CULTURE
WELLS
Wells Cathedral
Built between 1175-1450,Wells is considered the first wholly Gothic structure in the country. The first stage took approximately 80 years, during which the magnificent West Front was built. In its approximately 400 niches are just under 300 medieval sculptures, making it the largest collection of medieval carving in the world. A recent, temporary addition is the sculpture DOUBT by Antony Gormley, resident in Niche #338 until spring 2023. The cathedral’s interiors are equally impressive with the soaring scissor arches supporting the decorated ceiling, a chained library overlooking the courtyard and the Chapter House stairs paying witness to the centuries of visitors. www.niche338.org and https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/
Wells & Mendip Museum
Overlooking the cathedral, this is a lovely museum containing artifacts from both the cathedral and the surrounding area. The museum displays several of the medieval statues originally on the cathedral along with copies that were created in 1851. It its geology room there is a collection of local minerals and fossils. https://www.wellsmuseum.org.uk/
Wells Festival of Liturature
Celebrating its 30th year, the festival runs from the 18th – 26th October with a wide range of international, national, and local writers that participate. https://www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk/
BRUTON 13mi from Wells
Hauser & Wirth
An outpost of the international gallery, Hauser & Wirth Somerset opened in 2014 and now plays host to over 150,000 visitors a year. In their converted barns, there are five galleries, a (wonderful, and reassuringly expensive) farm shop and a restaurant along with a Piet Oudolf designed garden. On Bruton High Street they also have MAKE, a gallery dedicated to contemporary making and the crafted object. https://www.hauserwirth.com/locations/10068-hauser-wirth-somerset/
FROME 13mi from Wells
Black Swan Arts
Located in the centre of Frome, Black Swan Arts opened to the public as an art centre in 1986. For nearly 40 years now it has been a popular arts venue for the creatives of Frome and beyond with exhibition space, a shop, studio space, workshop space and a café. https://www.blackswanarts.org.uk/
ARTS & CULTURE
BRISTOL 20mi from Wells
Arnolfini
The Arnolfini is Bristol’s International Centre for Contemporary Arts. Founded in 1961 and moved to its current location, a prominent Grade II listed building on the city’s harbourside, in 1975, the Arnolfini presents a diverse programme of visual art, performance, dance, film and music. The museum is named after Jan van Eyck’s masterpiece, The Arnolfini Portrait (1434), which is one of the earliest paintings to include the presence of the artist. This is one of the Arnofini’s consistent concerns: to explore the role of the artists as a witness and recorder of what is around them. https://arnolfini.org.uk/
Spike Island
Situated on the southern end of Bristol’s historic docks in a former tea packing factory, Spike Island is one of Europe’s largest studio complexes with over 70 artists and hundreds of MA/BA Fine Art students of UWE Bristol. Spike Island hosts many events from discussions, films and exhibitions. https://www.spikeisland.org.uk/
Royal West of England Academy
The RWA was the first art gallery to be established in Bristol and is one of the longestrunning regional galleries and art schools in the UK. It hosts five galleries and an exhibition programme that celebrates the best of historic and contemporary British art. https://www.rwa.org.uk/
BATH 23mi from Wells
The Holburne Museum
The museum is housed in a beautiful Grade I listed Georgian villa, formerly a hotel, which backs onto the Sydney Gardens in Bath. Built around the impressive collection of decorative arts and 17th and 18th century paintings of Sir William Holburn, the museum also provides a programme of temporary exhibitions, music performances, creative workshops and family events. https://www.holburne.org/
WILTSHIRE
Roche Court New Art Centre
Well before Hauser & Wirth made it fashionable to open a gallery in the countryside, in 1994 Madeleine Bessborough the grand dame of British sculpture, moved her gallery from Chelsea to a nineteeth-century estate near Salisbury in Wiltshire (a convenient pitstop on the way from London to Wells). The New Art Centre is a sculpture park and gallery set in over sixty acres of parkland specialising in 20th and 21st century works of art on display across three contemporary buildings and the gardens. https://www.sculpture.uk.com/
Messums Wiltshire
Also close to Salisbury, Messums Wiltshire is an independent branch of the familyowned Messum’s Gallery on Cork Street in Mayfair. Set in a 14th century tithe barn in Tisbury which has the largest thatched roof of any building in the UK, Messums Wiltshire is a multi-purpose gallery and art centre and restaurant. https://messumswiltshire.com/
WHY NOT?
VISIT SOMERSET ON A MARKET DAY
Wells Market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the marketplace between the cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. The Wednesday market is more focused on food; the Saturday market has a mix of food, antiques, shearling rugs, etc.
About 25min away, on the first Sunday of the month from March to December, Frome hosts the hugely popular Frome Independent, which showcases designers and makers, independent local, seasonal and regional food and drink producers.
PICK UP A PROJECT BOX OF PRODUCE
Wells Fruit &Veg is open on Thursdays and Saturdays at Rocky Mountain Nursery, just past the Horrington Dairy. In addition to local produce they also sell “project boxes” of whatever in in season or they have been able to source. If you’ve ever wanted to buy a crate of quince (or peppers or tomatoes or…) for ~£5 with plans to spend the next few days cooking before your crate of produce goes off, this place is for you! Check their Instagram (@wellsfruitveg) to see what they will have in stock.
PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKINS
Between Wells, Bristol and Bath is Faringtons Farm Shop which hosts “pick your own pumpkins” events in the fall (and “pick your own tulips/dahlia” events in the spring/summer). You need to book tickets so watch their social media (@ farringtonsfarm) to see when the tickets will be released.
Palate & Pasture, in Frome, also does a great “pick your own pumpkin” event along with scavenger hunts and a Christmas grotto alongside their truly delicious gelato shop.
COMPLETE A PILGRIMAGE
During the medieval era, rivalry between the Glastonbury Abbey and Wells Cathedral was the norm as each rivaled to assert their dominance. Today, restore a sense of calm and purpose with a 12 mile linear walk between the two or a 7 mile circular walk that takes you from St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells through Crosscombe and back to Wells Cathedral. Visit the British Pilgrimage Trust for more details.
VIEW THE STARLING MURMATIONS
The Avalon Marshes in Glastonbury play host to this incredible wildlife spectacle. Large numbers of birds start gathering from October through the start of March. The postcode for the parking lot is BA6 9SX. More details can be found here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ham-wall/starling-roost/
TAKE A CHOCOLATE MAKING COURSE
Book yourself in with Gilbert and Swayne for a chocolate making course in nearby Baltonsborough. Courses run the full day and can be booked for weekdays or weekends.
GETTING HERE
GBS Fine Art is located on the first floor of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse overlooking Wells Cathedral. Our address is: First Floor
13 Sadler Street Wells BA4 2RR https://goo.gl/maps/9Qs3UdoTAaiDGn5FA
If traveling by car, parking can be found in Wells at the following locations:
Union Street Car Park – 3 hour maximum 19 Union Street, Wells BA5 2PU
Whiting Way Car Park / Waitrose Car Park – Long-stay parking options
Whiting Way, Wells BA5 2PT
South Street Car Park (by the Bishop’s Gardens and adjacent to an excellent children’s playground)
South Street, Wells BA5 1SJ
The closest train station is Castle Cary, about a 25min drive from Wells. We recommend booking a taxi in advance of arrival as there will not be taxis waiting at the station. We can recommend:
Cathedral Taxis: 01749 672244
Based in Wells with service across Somerset
From Bristol Temple Meads train station, it is a 35-minute drive to Wells and there are usually plenty of Ubers and taxis at the Station. You can also take a 1-hour journey on the Mendip Explorer bus which leaves from Bristol Temple Meads Station and delivers you to the top of Sadler Street, steps from GBS. This bus journey was named one of the most scenic in the UK and the same bus (376) will take you to Glastonbury.
From Bath, the First Bus leaves from the City Centre and is 120min journey that drops you a two minute walk from GBS.