GETAWAY
Snapping the SOMERSET LEVELS
Andria Massey finds plenty to admire in this beautiful part of the country, just perfect for photographers
Andria Massey is Footpath Secretary and Access Officer for Ynys Mon Ramblers Group, and a freelance photographer
We usually lay up our van in winter and, as the year was nearing its end, it was time to decide on our final trip of the season.
It had been some time since we visited the West Country, so we decided on Somerset, hopefully to photograph the autumn colours. We opted to stay at the adults-only Wells Touring Park, a good decision.
I had intended to vote for it in Practical Caravan’s Top 100 Sites awards, but unfortunately missed the deadline!
Church and cathedral
We decided to visit the small city of Wells on our first full day. Being fascinated by history, this seemed to be an excellent place to start our explorations.
We parked in the Waitrose long-stay car park and headed towards the centre of this lovely city, often described as the smallest in England, although the City of London is technically smaller.
Our first stop in Wells was St Cuthbert’s Church, often mistaken for the cathedral. The largest parish church in Somerset, it overlooks one of the five sets of Wells Almshouses. Prior to the welfare state, the almshouses were very important, providing 32 older people with much-needed housing, clothing, fuel and medical care.
The earliest of the five almshouses was built in the 15th century with a legacy from Nicholas Bubwith, former Bishop of Bath and Wells and Treasurer to Henry IV. Later almshouses include the Llewellyn, built in the 16th century with a legacy left by Henry Llewellyn, to the north of St Cuthbert’s Church.
Passing the striking pink façade of The City Arms pub in the High Street, we noticed that this was originally The Olde City Jail. Previously, there had been a range of shops and a blacksmith’s forge on this site, before it became the jail in 1606.