Wells and Glastonbury from Bath: The Smallest City, the Tor, and One Bus Line

England’s smallest city and its strangest hill, linked to Bath by one bus ride and to each other by a 20-minute hop.

The short version

• Buses 173 and 174 run from Bath bus station to Wells in about one and three-quarter hours; the 376 links Wells and Glastonbury in about 20 minutes. Times at firstbus.co.uk.
• Wells Cathedral’s west front and scissor arches are the show; the medieval clock strikes the quarter hours with jousting knights. Visiting details at wellscathedral.org.uk.
• Vicars’ Close beside the cathedral is called the oldest purely residential street in Europe — one minute long, worth ten.
• Glastonbury Tor is a free, open climb of about 30 minutes from town: the tower on top, and the Somerset Levels flat to every horizon.
• Glastonbury Abbey’s ruins — King Arthur’s supposed grave among them — are ticketed and calm.
• The town below the Tor sells crystals with a straight face. Enjoy it in the spirit offered.

Serious Day Tour Man saysOne bus chain makes this day work: the 173 or 174 from Bath to Wells, the 376 on to Glastonbury, and the same links home. Photograph the return times when you arrive — evening buses are sparse.About Serious Day Tour Man

Getting there

First’s 173 and 174 buses run from Bath bus station across the Mendips to Wells in about an hour and three-quarters, and the 376 carries on to Glastonbury in another 20 minutes. A day ticket covers the whole loop. The frequencies are rural — roughly hourly, thinner on Sundays — so the day is built around the timetable, not the other way round. Driving shortens everything and complicates parking in Wells; the bus wins on balance.

The day

Wells takes the morning: the cathedral’s west front and scissor arches, the clock striking the quarter, Vicars’ Close, and the moat around the Bishop’s Palace where swans ring a bell for food. Ride the 376 after lunch, give Glastonbury Abbey’s ruins a quiet hour, then climb the Tor for the late-afternoon light across the Levels. Come down, catch the chain home, and let the strangeness of the high street be part of the outing.

When to go

April to June and September to October are the walking months, and the Tor view wants clear air. The festival at the end of June fills buses and beds for miles around — check the dates before you pick the week. In winter mists the Tor floats above the fog as an island, which is the oldest version of the place there is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really do both towns in a day?
Yes — that is the design: Wells in the morning, Glastonbury in the afternoon, one bus chain throughout.

How hard is the Tor climb?
A steady 30 minutes on paths and steps. Wind on top is the only real obstacle.

Is Wells actually a city?
Yes — cathedral status makes it England’s smallest city, at the scale of a market town.

Does the cathedral charge entry?
Entry has run on suggested donations with charged tours on top — check wellscathedral.org.uk for current arrangements.

Can I add Cheddar Gorge?
Same direction, different bus, and a full day of its own. Do not bolt it on.