A direct First Bus service (the 374/375/376, partly run by sister company Buses of Somerset) links Bristol Bus Station to Wells Bus Station in about an hour, running roughly hourly through the day, Monday to Saturday. Cheddar Gorge is a different story: there's no direct bus or train from Bristol, so unless you're driving, the realistic options are a taxi, an organised tour, or a slower multi-leg bus journey via Weston-super-Mare or Yatton. Here's the honest picture for both.
Getting to Wells by bus
Wells is the more straightforward half of this trip. First Bus (running some journeys under its Buses of Somerset brand) operates services 374, 375 and 376 along the Bristol to Street/Taunton/Bridgwater corridor, all of which call at Wells Bus Station on the way. They leave from Bristol Bus Station, call at Temple Meads Station a few minutes later, then head out through Whitchurch, Pensford and Chewton Mendip before reaching Wells, a journey of roughly an hour depending on the exact service and time of day.
Daytime departures run at a broadly hourly frequency on weekdays and Saturdays, with a reduced evening and late-night service on some routes. We haven't been able to confirm the Sunday timetable in detail, so if you're travelling on a Sunday, check the current times on the Travel West journey planner or the First Bus website before you set off. Because Wells sits outside the core West of England fare zone and part of the route continues with Buses of Somerset, a single fare here costs more than an in-town Bristol hop. Check the live price when you book rather than assuming the £2.60 Bristol zone fare applies.
What to see in Wells
Wells is England's smallest city, built almost entirely around its cathedral, and it's compact enough to see on foot from the bus station. Wells Cathedral is open daily from 7am to 6pm, with general visitor admission Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm and Sunday 12pm to 2pm (last entry earlier). Standard adult admission is £15.50, seniors £8.40 to £8.80 depending on the season, and under-5s go free; there's no charge if you're coming to pray, attend a service or light a candle. A joint ticket covering the cathedral and the neighbouring Bishop's Palace and Gardens is available for £22 if you want to see both. Prices are reviewed periodically, so check the cathedral's own admission page before you travel.
Beyond the cathedral, the Bishop's Palace grounds, the medieval Vicars' Close nearby, and the market square make for an easy half-day wander without needing to plan much further.
Cheddar Gorge: the honest truth
Cheddar Gorge and Caves, about nine miles from Wells, is a genuinely spectacular limestone gorge with show caves, a museum and outdoor activities, and it's a popular half or full day out. The problem is transport: there is no direct bus or train from Bristol to Cheddar. The nearest usable public transport is the 126 bus, which runs between Weston-super-Mare and Wells via Cheddar, so you'd need to get to Weston-super-Mare or Yatton by train first and then pick up the 126, a multi-leg journey that depends on connecting timetables lining up on the day.
In practice, most people visiting Cheddar Gorge without their own car either drive, book an organised day tour from Bristol (several run from the city, combining Cheddar with Wells or the Somerset countryside), or take a taxi for the final leg from Wells or Weston-super-Mare. If you do go, day admission to the caves and gorge attractions is cheaper booked online in advance than paid on the day, though the exact price varies with seasonal offers, so check the official Cheddar Gorge ticket page for the current figure rather than relying on an old quote.
Wells vs Cheddar Gorge at a glance
| Wells | Cheddar Gorge | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport from Bristol | Direct bus (374/375/376), about an hour | No direct route; multi-leg bus via Weston-super-Mare/Yatton, or drive/taxi/tour |
| Main draw | Wells Cathedral, Bishop's Palace, Vicars' Close | Show caves, gorge walks, Museum of Prehistory |
| Best for | An easy car-free half or full day | Drivers, tour bookers, or the adventurous with time to spare |
| Typical cost | Cathedral admission around £15 plus bus fare | Day ticket cheaper booked online in advance; check current price |
The honest take
If you want a genuinely simple car-free day trip, Wells is the one to book: a direct bus, a walkable city, and a cathedral that's worth the admission. Cheddar Gorge is worth the effort if you're driving, joining a tour, or happy to build in a longer, less certain public transport day, but it's not the quick hop that some day-trip lists imply. If you're weighing it against Bristol's easier train-based options, see the site's day trips from Bristol guide for the destinations that need no advance planning at all, and getting around Bristol for general transport advice before you set off.