Wells Cathedral and Walk in England’s Tiniest City [4K]

Today we’re slowing things right down for a lovely little visit to England’s tiniest city, Wells.🌹We start with a bit of a wet countryside drive through the Mendip Hills and the Somerset landscape, with a stop at Chew Valley Lake for breakfast.

As we arrive in Wells, my aunt and uncle and I wander into town on foot, admiring the quaint buildings, quiet corners, and calm little moments that make Wells feel like a storybook city, and take in the atmosphere of the streets that have grown up around the natural springs that gave the city its name. Those ancient wells still bubble up in the Bishop’s Palace gardens, and for centuries they drew people here to trade, worship, and eventually build the compact little city you see today.

The market square, narrow lanes, and stone houses still feel very human in scale – more like a village with a cathedral than a busy city.

Inside Wells Cathedral, we move slowly so you can really soak in the details. This was one of the first great Gothic cathedrals in England, and much of what you see is original medieval stonework. The famous “scissor arches” might look beautifully decorative, but they were actually added in the 1300s as a structural fix when the tower began to sink – a very elegant solution to a very practical problem.

If you look closely, you may notice that the font (8:10) is older than the current building, a reminder that Christian worship on this site goes back to at least the early 700s. At one time, the West Front held around 300 carved figures, making it one of the most richly decorated cathedral facades in Europe. Many statues have been damaged or weathered over time, but the survivors give a glimpse of how dazzling it must have looked when it was new.

We also wander through Vicars’ Close, which feels like stepping straight into the 14th century. It’s often described as the oldest continuously inhabited medieval residential street in Europe. Built to house the cathedral’s singing men, it was designed so they could live a quiet, ordered life centered on worship. Originally, they shared meals together in a central hall instead of cooking separately, and the street itself was laid out with a clever optical trick so it appears longer from one end than the other – a subtle bit of medieval design magic.

This video is set to gentle, folk‑style music for the countryside drive and our walk through Wells. Inside the cathedral, the soundtrack softens into simple a cappella hymns that match the stillness of the space, before returning to that same soft folk feel for the peaceful ride home. There’s no guiding commentary – just the music, with a few real sounds left in: the calm voice of the tour guide, a bishop offering a quiet prayer, my uncle telling the story of the feeding of the swans… the bells ringing, and the clock chiming.

I hope it feels like you’re right there with me, enjoying a slow day in Wells at a pace that doesn’t feel rushed. Thank you for traveling with me. If you enjoy calm, peaceful visits to beautiful places, I’d love to have you along for more slow days in England and beyond. So sit back and enjoy the view, and I’ll catch ya next time.💚

#WellsCathedral#NoCommentary#SlowTravel

🎥 About this series: For three weeks I slowly explored England (and a bit of Wales) with my aunt and uncle, focusing on simple days, beautiful places, and enjoying the journey:

*Slow travel, not checklist travel

*Relaxing walks in the English countryside

*Castles, cathedrals, coastal paths, lakes, and cozy villages

*All set to calming music with some ambient sounds, and voices.
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🌄About this channel: Welcome to Sit Back & Enjoy the View. I’m a simple middle school lunch lady who loves to travel both solo and with my husband Dave (and our dog Sadie when we’re in the States). If you like relaxing travel videos with no commentary, scenic drives, and peaceful hikes/walks, you’re in the right place. Thank you, for being here.😊