Attractions and Places To See around Shepton Mallet - Top 20

Nestled in the heart of Somerset, The Bishop's Palace is a magnificent 13th-century medieval residence that has served as the official home of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. Surrounded by impressive stone ramparts and a picturesque, swan-inhabited moat fed by natural thermal springs, the estate offers a breathtaking glimpse into ecclesiastical history. Entering via the medieval gatehouse and drawbridge reveals 14 acres of beautifully manicured, tranquil grounds. Visitors can explore the meditative well pools—the very natural springs that gave the historic city of Wells its name—alongside vibrant herbaceous borders and the romantic, ivy-clad ruins of the Great Hall. The palace seamlessly blends centuries of architectural heritage with quiet, natural elegance. The resident mute swans even add a charming touch to the experience, famously trained to ring a bell near the gatehouse when they are hungry. It is a wonderfully peaceful destination that invites guests to slow down and immerse themselves in a quintessential slice of English history.

The historic heart of England's smallest city, Wells Market Place serves as the bustling commercial and social hub of Wells. Framed by striking historic architecture, independent shops, and cozy cafes, it offers visitors a wonderful blend of medieval heritage and vibrant everyday life. Historic Atmosphere: Surrounded by centuries-old buildings, the square retains much of its historic character and provides direct access to the famous Wells Market, which hosts lively stalls twice a week. Central Landmarks: The square sits just steps away from major civic buildings like the Wells City Council at the Town Hall, and acts as a natural gateway to nearby iconic sights like Wells Cathedral. Visitor Hub: For those looking to plan their stay, the Visit Wells information point nearby helps visitors navigate local attractions, walking trails, and events.

A beautiful city worth seeing, which despite its fame has not lost its charm - the absolute highlight of course is the cathedral 🥰

About the patronage of this church: Saint ANDREW is one of the twelve apostles that Jesus Christ called to follow him. However, in the biblical accounts he is usually somewhat overshadowed by his much more famous brother: Saint Peter. In the Gospels we find the calling of the two siblings presented in different ways. According to the text of the Gospel of John (John 1:40-42), Andrew is called first (together with another disciple whose name is not mentioned). Later he tells his brother that he has found the Messiah. The feast of Saint Andrew in the calendar of saints is on November 30th in all major Christian denominations. The X-shaped white "St. Andrew's Cross" on which he was executed forms the national flag of Scotland against a blue background and has also found its way into the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

Absolutely lovely, relatively flat throughout and is generally pretty quiet. Some areas have a few bumps thanks to roots and some parts during the wetter winter weather get a couple of centimetres of running water here and there. Overall one of my favourite places to cycle and will continue to feature on my routes!

Take a break here before the climb

This is the easy part.

A truly magnificent Cathedral and a great place to stop for a break. There are benches and a large green in front of the Cathedral. There are also some very pretty surrounding buildings, especially in Vicar's Close.