Wells Touring Park

Rather more than just a handy place for your supermarket shopping (although it is well endowed on that front…), the wee city of Wells is a fine place for a wander. Start by scrutinising the 300 statues on the west front of the cathedral, before taking a stroll down Vicars Close (believed to be the only complete medieval street in England) and meandering along the moat at the Bishop’s Palace. Try to time your trip for a Wednesday or Saturday if you can, as those are the days the market comes to town. Those whose hols have to include a hike or few should be chuffed to find they’ve picked a site right on the edge of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area with plenty of paths and quiet roads to walk or bike along. Top picks nearby include Ebbor Gorge (35 minutes’ walk), Blagdon Lake (half an hour’s drive) and craggy Crook Peak (25 minutes). Further leg-stretching options might include outings to the stunning caves at Wookey Hole (five minutes' drive), walks in Cheddar Gorge (20 minutes) or clambering up Glastonbury Tor (20 minutes)… all followed by a pint or two in one of Wells's pub perhaps?