Wells & the Mendip Hills Walking Break
A sociable walking holiday exploring England’s smallest city and the stunning Mendip Hills National Landscape.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Transport: Car-Free Experience
Group Size: Maximum 12
Level: Leisurely Plus
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
What to Expect on This Walking Weekend:
Sociable Walking Weekend – A friendly and relaxed trip, perfect for solo walkers and those looking to make new friends.
Stay in a Historic Hotel – Enjoy a welcoming stay at The Crown at Wells, featured in the film Hot Fuzz.
Walks from the Door – Explore the Mendip Hills National Landscape, Ebbor Gorge, and the Somerset countryside directly from the hotel.
Discover England’s Smallest City – Visit Wells Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, and Vicar’s Close, all within walking distance.
Book today…
A Sociable Walking Holiday in the Heart of Somerset
Join Large Outdoors for a fantastic walking weekend based in the historic city of Wells, where we’ll enjoy a mix of countryside walks and time to explore this charming city. Staying at The Crown at Wells, a characterful hotel with a welcoming atmosphere (which also happens to have featured in the film Hot Fuzz), this is a great opportunity to enjoy guided walks, make new friends, and experience a sociable getaway in one of England’s most picturesque regions.
Our walks take us straight from the hotel door, exploring the rolling landscapes of the Mendip Hills National Landscape, the dramatic Ebbor Gorge, and the peaceful Somerset countryside. Along the way, we’ll discover Wells’ historic streets, pass the impressive moat of the Bishop’s Palace, and follow scenic trails with panoramic views over the Somerset Levels. Evenings are relaxed and sociable, with great food and a chance to explore Wells’ cosy pubs or simply unwind in the hotel.
With single and twin-sharing rooms available, this is the perfect trip for solo walkers or friends looking for a welcoming group experience in a truly special location.
Vicar's Close in the City of Wells, Somerset
Suggested Itinerary
Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!
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Wells, Somerset
You're welcome to check in at The Crown at Wells from 3pm, giving you time to settle in or explore the city before meeting the group.
At 6pm, our guide will be in the hotel bar to welcome everyone, followed by dinner in the bar where we’ll go over the itinerary and get to know each other.
If you arrive earlier, Wells is a fantastic city to explore on foot. As England’s smallest city, it’s compact yet packed with history. Highlights include:
Wells Cathedral – One of the most stunning cathedrals in England, known for its impressive West Front and scissor arches.
Bishop’s Palace & Gardens – A beautiful medieval palace surrounded by a moat where swans famously ring a bell for food.
Vicar’s Close – The oldest continuously inhabited residential street in Europe, with its picturesque 14th-century houses.
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Approx. 10 miles
After breakfast, we set off straight from the hotel, beginning our walk along the moat of the Bishop’s Palace, where the resident swans have been trained to ring a bell for their food – a tradition dating back over a century.
Leaving the city, we follow scenic countryside paths towards the West Mendip Way, a long-distance route offering sweeping views over the Somerset Levels. This elevated trail provides a fantastic perspective on the surrounding landscape before we descend into the dramatic Ebbor Gorge.
A Bit About Ebbor Gorge:
A National Nature Reserve, Ebbor Gorge is a limestone ravine with steep cliffs, caves, and a rich history dating back to the Ice Age. It’s home to rare wildlife and offers spectacular walking through ancient woodlands.
Continuing on, we reach Wookey Hole, a village famous for its ancient limestone caves, legendary witch folklore, and the production of traditional cave-aged cheese. There’s an opportunity for a short break here before we follow a scenic route back into Wells, finishing by walking through Vicar’s Close, a stunning medieval street that has remained almost unchanged for over 600 years.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy another group meal, either at the hotel’s restaurant or another excellent local eatery. After dinner, the evening is yours to relax, enjoy a drink at the bar, or take a final wander through Wells’ atmospheric streets.
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Approx. 5-6 miles
For our final day, we set off on a relaxed circular walk through the beautiful countryside south of Wells. The pace is leisurely, offering one last chance to soak in the Somerset scenery and enjoy chatting with new friends.
We’ll return to Wells before midday, with time for a final coffee and cake or a light lunch before we say our goodbyes.
View of Wells Cathedral from the gardens in the Bishops Palace
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: Check-in from 15:00.
The Large Outdoors host will meet you in the bar from 18:00.
Meeting Location:
The Crown at Wells,
Market Place,
Wells
BA5 2RPParking: There is very limited parking at the hotel. The nearest long term car park is named High Street car park in South Street, BA5 2AA, and less than a two minute walk from The Crown.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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The Crown at Wells is a charming, historic hotel set in the heart of Wells' Market Place, offering comfortable accommodation, a welcoming atmosphere, and a connection to cinematic history as a filming location for Hot Fuzz.
Accommodation Address:
The Crown at Wells,
Market Place,
Wells
BA5 2RPRoom Types:
Single Rooms (en-suite bathroom) are for one participant.
Double Rooms (en-suite bathroom) sleep up to two participants booking together, in a Double bed.
Twin Rooms (en-suite bathroom) for for two people sharing and will have two single beds.
Shared Male / Female Rooms (en-suite bathroom) ideal for those happy to share with another participant. -
Included:
2 nights’ bed & breakfast accommodation.
A hearty cooked breakfast each morning, prepared by the accommodation.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on two days (Days 2 & 3).
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location or train station collection.
Dinner on each evening - we’ll book a table at a local pub to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
Packed Lunches - for these we will stop at a local bakery and you can purchase what you wish for lunch.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation. There are also a couple of pubs in the village for a post-walk pint or two!
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is rated ‘Leisurely’. The longest walk will be around 10 miles or 15km at a sociable pace.Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely! In fact, the majority of our attendees are solo travellers.When should I arrive?
You are welcome to arrive from 15:00 onwards on Friday evening. Dinner will be served at the accommodation at around 19:30. If you intend to arrive after 22:00, please let us know.I’d prefer vegetarian or vegan meals - can this be arranged?
Yes, absolutely! We will always supply a vegetarian or vegan meal, but please note this must be requested well ahead of the trip - the remote location of our accommodation means we can’t pop out to buy additional ingredients. Complete the dietary section during the booking process and if your dietary needs change ahead of the trip please email the office and we’ll update your booking.I’d prefer gluten-free meals - can this be arranged?
We will provide meals using gluten-free ingredients, but due to the shared nature of the kitchen we cannot provide strictly gluten-free meals. Please let us know you’d like gluten-free ingredients ahead of time by completing the dietary section during the booking process.I am allergic to a specific ingredient - can you provide meals for me?
Due to the shared nature of the kitchen we are unable to provide meals suitable for those suffering from many allergies. Please contact the office before booking to discuss your requirements.What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide transportation during this trip.Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for registered assistance dogs.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.
Discovering Wells – England’s Smallest City
Despite being England’s smallest city, Wells is rich in history, character, and architectural beauty. Named after the natural springs that bubble up near the Bishop’s Palace, Wells has been an important settlement for over a thousand years. It grew into a major ecclesiastical centre in the medieval period, with its 12th-century cathedral becoming one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the country.
At the heart of the city stands Wells Cathedral, renowned for its striking scissor arches, intricate carvings, and stunning stained glass. Adjacent to the cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace & Gardens has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years, complete with a moat, medieval walls, and the famous swans that have been trained to ring a bell for food. Nearby, Vicar’s Close is a rare medieval street, believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in Europe.
Beyond its historic landmarks, Wells has a vibrant marketplace, lined with independent shops, cafés, and a twice-weekly market that has been running since the 12th century. The city’s charm has made it a popular filming location, most famously appearing in Hot Fuzz, with The Crown at Wells, our hotel for the weekend, featuring as the "Sandford" pub. With its walkable streets, historic charm, and welcoming atmosphere, Wells is a fantastic place to explore on foot, making it an ideal base for this walking weekend.
Exploring the Mendip Hills National Landscape
The Mendip Hills National Landscape is a striking expanse of limestone hills, dramatic gorges, and sweeping views, offering some of the most rewarding walking routes in Somerset. This protected area, formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is characterised by its rugged terrain, ancient woodlands, and distinctive limestone grasslands, home to diverse wildlife, including peregrine falcons, rare butterflies, and wild orchids.
One of the most scenic routes through the area is the West Mendip Way, a long-distance trail that provides panoramic views over the Somerset Levels, a vast low-lying wetland rich in history and biodiversity. Our journey through the Mendips also takes us into the dramatic Ebbor Gorge, a National Nature Reserve where steep limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and dense woodland create an atmospheric and varied landscape. The area has been shaped by millions of years of geological processes, and archaeological finds reveal that it was once inhabited by prehistoric humans.
Our route also passes through Wookey Hole, a village famous for its extensive limestone cave system, where legend tells of the Witch of Wookey, a story that has been woven into local folklore for centuries. The caves are also known for their traditional cave-aged cheese, which matures in the cool, humid conditions of the caverns.
With its mix of open hilltops, wooded valleys, and hidden geological wonders, the Mendip Hills National Landscape offers a fantastic walking experience, combining stunning scenery with fascinating history, all just a stone’s throw from the historic city of Wells.