Walpurga’s Wells: AudioTour of Murders, Plagues and Hangmen

Wells is a city where beauty and darkness have always coexisted. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll explore the city’s ghostly history through the eyes of Walpurga the Wells Witch, hearing about murders, plagues, and restless spirits lurking behind medieval facades. The tour starts at St. Cuthbert’s Church, where marble memorials honour the Tudway family – slave traders who bought respectability from the profits of their Caribbean plantations. You’ll pass a building where executions took place, visit the City Arms pub – a former jail where paranormal investigators recorded off-the-scale spirit activity – and walk streets whose very names hint at dark histories. The tour ends at the Bishop’s Palace moat, where the ghosts of Bishop Richard Kidder and his wife – crushed in their bed when chimney stacks collapsed during the Great Storm of 1703 – are still seen on the battlements.

1. 1

   Wells Cathedral

   Pass by

   Marvel at this breathtaking Gothic masterpiece, one of the finest medieval cathedrals in England, its decorated west front adorned with hundreds of carved figures. Explore the ancient cloisters where a phantom monk is said to roam, and listen for the invisible choir whose singing has been reported echoing through these sacred spaces for centuries.

2. 2

   Wells Market Place

   Pass by

   Walk into the heart of medieval Wells, a handsome cobbled square that has served as the city's commercial and civic centre since the 13th century. Discover the dark stories concealed behind its charming facades, including the building where public executions once drew crowds and the streets whose very names hint at violent histories.

3. 3

   The Bishop's Palace And Gardens

   Pass by

   Admire this magnificent moated medieval palace, home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and one of the oldest inhabited houses in England. Stroll along the ancient battlements where the ghosts of Bishop Richard Kidder and his wife are still reportedly seen, crushed in their beds when chimney stacks collapsed during the Great Storm of 1703.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.