St Andrew's Well

The water at St Andrew's Well is surprisingly clear - proper fresh and cold when you dip a hand in. It's a small lake just outside Wells, the sort of place locals know about but visitors often miss entirely. The well itself sits at the heart of it, and there's something oddly peaceful about standing here watching the water when everyone else is queuing for the cathedral or wandering the high street.

You won't find much in the way of facilities or official signposting, which is either a charm point or a drawback depending on your mood. It's free to visit, takes maybe twenty minutes to have a proper look around unless you're the lingering type. The walk in is easy enough, though the paths can get boggy after rain.

Families with young kids might find it a bit thin for a dedicated trip - there's no playground or cafe to anchor a morning around. But if you're stopping in Wells anyway, perhaps camping at Old Oaks Touring or glamping at Tall Trees, it's absolutely worth the short drive. Water enthusiasts and anyone keen on geological features will get more from it than most. Photographers will find decent light in the late afternoon, when the reflections are at their best.

Combine it with a proper walk through Wells town centre and you've got a decent half-day sorted. The well has history attached to it - local pilgrimage site - but don't expect plaques or interpretation boards. That's the trade-off for having somewhere genuinely untouched.