Wells

Wells takes its name from springs at the foot of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Its cathedral, begun in the late twelfth century, rises above a small city whose life long centred on the bishop and the church. The west front and the buildings of the cathedral close reflect the wealth and devotion invested in this religious centre. In 1685 the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion brought soldiers to Wells. The cathedral was damaged: windows were broken and lead was taken from the roof for shot. After the rising failed, the church remained a prominent landmark amid the farms and villages of Somerset.