What’s on in Wells: heritage tours, palace talks and Pilates with babies in tow
What's On in Wells is brought to you by the Wells Festival of Literature — celebrating words, ideas and the art of storytelling this October.
From stone-carving tours and historical drama to Pilates and palace lectures, Wells is laying it on thick this September. Whether you're into Gothic architecture or metal detecting, you won't have to look far for something to do — especially if you like your culture with a side of cake. Here's what's coming up in the city between 11 and 18 September.
GIrling together over baby steps in literary lore, the Glastonbury Women's Friendship Group wiggles back after summer hibernation on Thursday 11 September in Glastonbury Town Hall. Historian Brian Wright will chew the fat on nursery rhymes and why they matter, while you sip tea and make new pals for the modest price of £2. Visitors are welcome, so stop pretending you're busy.
Also on Thursday, Nursery Open Day at Pennard Plants in East Pennard offers apple tasting and activities for those who like their Thursdays fragrant, fruity and mildly educational.
Come Friday 12 September, antique obsessives descend on the Antique & Collectors Fair at Bath & West Showground, running through to Sunday. This is the West Country's biggest antiques event, with around 600 stalls to rummage through. Entry is £10 on Friday (12 noon–5 pm), and a less bank-breaking £6 on Saturday (9 am–5 pm) and Sunday (10 am–4 pm). Parking is free and dogs on leads are welcome, assuming they're not also antiques.
Saturday 13 September is where things really heat up. Heritage Open Days – The Splendid Stones of Wells begins at St Cuthbert's Church with free tours at 10 am, 12.30 pm and 2 pm. Expect an architectural wander around Wells, stopping at the cathedral and museum, plus carving demos and refreshments if you manage not to chip a corner.
At the same time, the Shepton Mallet Repair Café opens its doors from 10 am to 12 noon at Art Bank Café. Local volunteers will have a bash at fixing your dodgy toasters, frayed jackets and tired electronics. It's donation‑based and full of can‑do spirit, so no excuses.
Kicking off the same day and running through to 28 September is Somerset Open Studios – Shelley Dyer‑Gibbins at Venue 127 in North Wootton. Shelley's opening her studio to the public with original works on show, kid-friendly Gelli Art workshops, and drop-in linocut for adults who want to make art without committing to oil paints or existential dread.
Later that night, The Amulet – Movie Night: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is screening in Shepton Mallet with doors at 6.30 pm and film from 7.30 pm. You'll get a £5 ticket, DJs either side of the madness, and the unique opportunity to embarrass your date while wearing fishnets in public.
Sunday 14 September continues the energy with the Wellbeing and Wonder Event in Glastonbury Town Hall from 11 am to 5 pm. It's free, full of talks and creative sessions, and absolutely your chance to pretend you're working on your inner child when you're just avoiding doing the hoovering.
A whole lot louder—the Ultimate Pro Wrestling: Ground Zero show slams into The Loft in Street. Doors open 3.30 pm, first bell rings at 4 pm, and the performers are apparently "larger‑than‑life", which might also apply to their hair. Tickets are on sale now if shouting indoors is your thing.
Wells has its own Sunday spectacular with Heritage Open Days – If Only the Stones Could Talk at 3 pm in St Cuthbert's Church. A dramatic performance brings historical figures back to life, and afterwards, cream teas and cakes will be flogged to fund lighting improvements. Entry is free unless you count the guilt you'll feel if you skip it.
Meanwhile, Shepton Mallet takes a more solemn tone with the 85th Anniversary Battle of Britain Service at 11 am in St Michael's Roman Catholic Church. All are welcome to the service and the wreath‑laying at the cenotaph. Veterans, locals and anyone in need of perspective are warmly invited.
Monday 15 September is for mums who ache in places they didn't know existed. The Postnatal Pilates Class at Deeper Balance Studio in Wells offers tailored recovery movement, baby attendance allowed, and a first‑timer discount to lure you in.
Tuesday 16 September is double‑booked in Glastonbury and Wells. First up, SEND Supper returns to The Loft from 5 pm to 9 pm with dinner 5.30 pm–7.30 pm. The evening's set up for families and children with additional needs, featuring soft‑play, a budget‑friendly kids' menu, and calm spaces for when it all gets too much.
Later, you can shake off your parenting stress at the Turkish belly dance class with Nazreen from 7 pm to 8 pm at the Assembly Rooms. It's £10 to drop in and wiggle your way through a low‑impact session of dance‑based movement and artistic flair. Less intense than the wrestling, just as good for the abs.
Meanwhile in Wells, Heritage Open Days – Palace Architecture Talk takes place at Bishop's Palace & Gardens. Meet outside the café five minutes early for a free guided talk—though capacity's limited, so don't turn up late and expect a seat.
Wednesday 17 September features a niche but loveable highlight at Bishop's Palace, where the Palace Lecture: Yeovil Metal Detecting Club unearths artefacts and stories from the soil. It runs 6.15 pm–7.15 pm (gates open at 6 pm) with tickets priced at £5 for adults, £4 for students, and free for members. Questions are encouraged—bring your inner time-traveller.
And finally, Thursday 18 September ends the week with toast and ambition at Wells Business Forum Networking Breakfast, held at Blossoms Café. Local business types meet, chat and listen to a yet‑to‑be‑revealed guest speaker over eggs and caffeine. Bring business cards and pretend you woke up this early on purpose.
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