Footpaths
A wealth of potential
By all accounts Wells should be able to offer wheelchair and scooter users a good choice of accessible footpaths and trails. However, the reality is far from that at present.
Wells sits at the centre of the East/West divide on the Mendip Way. Additionally the Monarchs Way passes through Wells from North to South. Wells also used to have three railway stations serving three separate lines, now derelict, heading towards Glastonbury, Cheddar and Shepton Mallet. And Wells is served with a good connection of public footpaths in all directions.
Unfortunately, a combination of the hilly terrain to the Mendips in the North and towards Tor Woods in the East, and historic lack of foresight to retain railways lines and convert them to accessible active travel routes means there is surprisingly little countryside for wheelchair and scooter users to access. It is something we are pressing to improve over time. In the meantime…
What is on offer today
Sadly there is only one circular route we consider accessible. However, there are three paths worth exploring, as detailed below. You can find the location of each walk on the map below and for further information regarding nearby parking, ease of travel, length, and nearby facilities for each is provided in the dropdown sections underneath.
Morrisons to Dulcote railway line
Highlight: Lovely views towards Tor Woods at end of straight section, with a bench offering a quiet rest.
Parking: At Morrisons
Disabled toilet: At Morrisons
Return distance: 2.5 miles
Terrain: Level with slight gradient down to Dulcote. Path is extended towards Shepton Mallet, but has significant gradient after 500 yards
Café: in Morrisons
Advisory: Do not attempt to cross the road at Dulcote as it is a dangerous crossing and the pavement towards Wells is not passable.
Bishops Palace Moat to Dulcote fields
Highlight: Lovely open views towards Tor Woods and Glastonbury Tor and towards Wells Cathedral and the distant Mendips on the return
Parking: In the city centre
Disabled Toilet: by Bishop’s Barn and in Bishop’s Palace
Return distance: 1.5 miles
Terrain: Slight slope away from Wells. Three sets of gates require wheelchair users to rely on someone else to open successive sections.
Café: In Bishop’s Barn
Advisory: Do not attempt to cross the road at the end of the footpath as it is a dangerous crossing and the pavement towards Dulcote is not passable.
Leisure Centre to St. Cuthbert’s Mill and Foxglove Heights loop
Highlight: Travel a short section of the Strawberry Line with open views towards the Mendips. Access to good footpaths on open land adjacent to the Foxglove Heights development.
Parking: At the leisure centre
Disabled toilet: In the leisure centre
Return distance: 1.25 miles
Terrain: Very level and easily accessible from the Leisure Centre.
Cafe: In the leisure centre
Advisory: Access from the footpath behind the Leisure Centre is blocked by bars. Access across pavements from Wells city centre is challenging in places due to inadequate drop kerbs.
Map of Footpath Locations
Use the toggle to choose between the different routes
What we are working towards
1. Creating a circular walk
Wheelchair users tell us they would very much welcome a proper circular walk from the city centre. This could easily be achieved by linking up the two Dulcote ends of the footpaths that are described above. This would then provide a very attractive, accessible, safe and reasonably level circular walk of c. 3.5 miles.
2. Making Tor Hill to South Horrington a multi-user path
Many people have asked us to lobby to make the footpath from the Moat Walk to South Horrington into a multi-user footpath e.g. an unobstructed smooth surface end to end. Many users would benefit from this; providing a safe route into town for wheelchair, scooter and stroller users, mothers with prams and young children and blind people living in South Horrington; for all residents living in South Horrington and in the estates either side of the Bath Road.
We are consulting with the Local Community Network’s “Active Travel Group”, to see how we can best achieve our aims – landowners to be consulted and funds to be identified!