In a bewildering development, Wells has unexpectedly reached the shortlist as one of Britain's most 'soul destroying' towns to live in.

This nomination is particularly perplexing given Wells' numerous accolades, coupled with the absence of negative reviews about living in Wells on the website.

Furthermore, there's uncertainty around Wells even fitting the poll's criteria, given that it's a city, not a town.

The year 2023 was a period of triumph for Wells. It earned accolades, including being named a Night Photography Champion for Wells Cathedral, surpassing even Big Ben; recognised as the UK's Most Accessible City for Disabled Travellers and as one of the UK's top destinations for stargazing by BestGamblingSites.com, owing to its low light pollution and clear skies. Additionally, Which? honoured Wells as the UK's Top Christmas Shopping Destination for its perfect mix of big brands and local charm.

These achievements made 2023 a remarkable year for Wells, enhancing its reputation for diverse attractions and amenities. Wells has consistently captivated locals and visitors alike, from the celestial wonders above to the historic streets below.

However, the ilivehere.com poll presents a stark contrast, describing the nominated locations as bland, boring, and soul-destroying.

iLiveHere said: "Bland, Boring, Soul destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void. This is what our new poll is about. This year we are ditching the usual suspects to focus on those towns throughout this septic isle that give you an almost-terminal case of ennui. The towns where you just exist rather than live."

Several Somerset places also have the dubious honour of making the shortlist, including Chard, Yeovil and Weston.

The poll's inclusion of Wells, despite its recent accolades and lack of negative reviews, invites questions about the criteria and perceptions driving such rankings.

As the city continues to display its accolades with pride, the label of 'soul destroying' appears both unjustified and puzzling to those who know and love Wells.