Watch the swans ring the bell - hanging over the water just left of the entry gate - when they have an attack of the munchies. It's just the place for a relaxing walk in the park. While the interior of the palace itself is dull, the grounds and gardens surrounding it are the most tranquil and scenic spot in Wells, with wonderful views of the cathedral. Next to Wells' cathedral stands the moated Bishop's Palace, built in the 13th century and still in use today as the residence of the bishop of Bath and Wells. It boasts a wonderful fireplace and lots of meat on the menu. Horse and Groom Village InnĪbout three miles from Stow, in the town of Upper Oddington, is this smart 16th-century inn serving modern English and Continental food with plenty of vegetarian options, a good wine list, and top honors as pub of the year for its serious attention to beer. Stow Lodge Hotelįilling Stow's historic church rectory with lots of old English charm, and with its own sprawling and peaceful garden, this lavish old place facing the town square offers 21 large, thoughtfully appointed rooms with soft beds, stately public spaces, and a cushy-chair lounge. And nearby you can visit a working watermill that produces flour from wheat grown on the estate. In the expansive back yard you can see the earl's pet project: restoring "the tallest fountain in Britain" - 300 feet tall, gravity-powered, and running for 30 minutes at 14:45 and 16:00. The place has a story to tell, as do the docents stationed in each room - talk to them, and learn what you can about this side of England.
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Inside the obviously very lived-in manor, you're free to wander around pretty much as you like. The Earl of Wemyss opens his melancholy home and grounds to visitors two days a week in the summer. On the north transept, medieval frescoes show faintly through the 17th-century whitewash behind the altar is original medieval glass. While Stanton's church probably dates back to the ninth century, today's building is mostly from the 15th century, with 13th-century transepts.