# Wells

> cathedral city in Somerset, England, UK

**Wikidata**: [Q212283](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212283)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wells,_Somerset)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wells

## Summary
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish located in Somerset, England, within the United Kingdom. Historically recognized as a market town, it serves as a significant human settlement and is identified by the UN/LOCODE GBWLS. According to the 2021 census, the city has a population of 11,145.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Wells is officially classified as a city, a civil parish, and a civil parish with city status; historically, it functioned as a market town.
*   **Location:** The city is situated in Somerset, England. Its geographic coordinates are 51.209444 latitude and -2.645 longitude (OS Grid Reference ST545455).
*   **Administrative History:** Wells was located in the district of Mendip until March 31, 2023. On April 1, 2023, its administrative location shifted to Somerset.
*   **Population Demographics:**
    *   **2021 Census:** Total population 11,145 (5,879 female; 5,266 male).
    *   **2011 Census:** Total population 10,536 (5,654 female; 4,882 male).
    *   **2001 Census:** Total population 10,406 (5,514 female; 4,892 male).
*   **Infrastructure:** The city utilizes the postal code BA5 and the local dialing code 01749.
*   **International Relations:** Wells is twinned with four administrative bodies: Bad Berka (Germany), Paray-le-Monial (France), Bad Dürkheim (Germany), and Fontanellato (Italy).
*   **Identifiers:** The city holds numerous unique identifiers including GND ID 4119043-9, VIAF ID 312792736, and GeoNames ID 2634569.

## FAQs
**What type of settlement is Wells?**
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in Somerset, England. It holds the status of a city and was historically a market town.

**How has the population of Wells changed recently?**
The population increased from 10,536 in the 2011 census to 11,145 in the 2021 census.

**Where is Wells located administratively?**
Wells is located in the historic county of Somerset. Administratively, it moved from the Mendip district to the unitary authority of Somerset on April 1, 2023.

**What are the twin towns of Wells?**
Wells is twinned with Bad Berka and Bad Dürkheim in Germany, Paray-le-Monial in France, and Fontanellato in Italy.

## Why It Matters
Wells serves as a distinct example of a "cathedral city" within the United Kingdom, a designation that highlights its historical and religious significance. Its documentation across major encyclopedias—such as the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, and New International Encyclopedia—underscores its long-standing relevance as a cultural and geographical landmark. The city's transition from the Mendip district to the new Somerset unitary authority in 2023 also makes it a point of interest in studies of UK local government reorganization. Furthermore, its extensive representation in global databases (including MusicBrainz, GeoNames, and library authorities worldwide) reflects its status as a recognized entity in global heritage and information systems.

## Notable For
*   **City Status:** Being one of the few settlements explicitly classified as a "cathedral city" and "civil parish with city status."
*   **Historic Documentation:** It is one of the few locations described by specific entries in historical reference works like the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica and The Nuttall Encyclopædia.
*   **Administrative Transition:** It represents a specific case of UK administrative restructuring, moving from Mendip to Somerset in April 2023.
*   **Global Connectivity:** The city maintains active twin-town relationships with four distinct European municipalities.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Wells is located in the county of Somerset, England, within the United Kingdom. The city's precise coordinates are 51.209444 latitude and -2.645 longitude, corresponding to the Ordnance Survey Grid reference ST545455. Historically, Wells is part of the historic county of Somerset. 

Administratively, the city underwent a significant change in 2023. It was formerly part of the Mendip district (identifier E04008595) until March 31, 2023. Following this, on April 1, 2023, it became part of the Somerset unitary authority. The civil parish is assigned the TOID 7000000000010526.

### Demographics
The population of Wells has shown steady growth over the first two decades of the 21st century based on census data:
*   **2001 Census:** Recorded a population of 10,406, comprising 5,514 females and 4,892 males across 4,752 households.
*   **2011 Census:** Recorded a population of 10,536, comprising 5,654 females and 4,882 males across 4,912 households.
*   **2021 Census:** Recorded a population of 11,145, comprising 5,879 females and 5,266 males across 5,362 households.

### Infrastructure and Communications
The city falls under the postal code BA5 and uses the local dialing code 01749. Its official website is https://www.wells.gov.uk/. For international trade and transport coding, Wells is assigned the UN/LOCODE GBWLS.

### Cultural and Historical Recognition
Wells is widely recognized in academic and encyclopedic literature. It is described by the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, and the New International Encyclopedia. The city maintains a presence in digital knowledge bases, evidenced by its Wikidata description as a "cathedral city in Somerset, England, UK." Visual documentation of the city includes a page banner of Vicars Close and a primary image of the Wells Cathedral West Front.

### International Twinning
Wells maintains formal twinning relationships with four European locations:
*   **Bad Berka:** A town in Germany.
*   **Bad Dürkheim:** A town in Germany.
*   **Paray-le-Monial:** A commune in France.
*   **Fontanellato:** A town in Italy.

### Identifiers and Classifications
Wells is cataloged under numerous international classification systems and authority files:
*   **Library & Archives:** Library of Congress Authority ID (n78094263), Bibliothèque nationale de France ID (14265066f), GND ID (4119043-9), VIAF ID (312792736).
*   **Geographical Databases:** GeoNames ID (2634569), OpenStreetMap Relation ID (2922198), Who's on First ID (101852543), Vision of Britain Place ID (1065).
*   **Encyclopedic & Media:** Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID (place/Wells), BBC Things ID (5e0ad794-6b4d-4a66-b3fa-9130ff065a1f), Brockhaus Enzyklopädie Online ID (wells-20), Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID (wells-3).
*   **Academic & Specialized:** Grove Art Online ID (T091095), MusicBrainz Area ID (5f8181da-7ec3-4ab7-929f-16fa8a8d41d5), Early Modern Letters Online Location ID (6f63d54e-f1d8-4b40-820b-14d94712b8f1).

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Key Statistics. Office for National Statistics](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2011_ks)
5. [Parish Profiles. Office for National Statistics](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp)
6. [Key Statistics. Office for National Statistics](https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2001_ks)
7. GeoNames
8. BBC Things
9. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
10. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File