The Wells and Mendip Museum occupies the Cathedral Green and focuses on the geology and archaeology of the Mendip Hills as well as the history of Wells itself. The Mendips have produced remarkable cave finds — human bones, tools, and animal remains dating back tens of thousands of years — and the museum holds a good collection of them.
The cave archaeology section is the strongest part. Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge, and other local cave systems are some of the most significant prehistoric sites in Britain, and the museum explains the Mendip karst landscape that created them. There are also Roman-era finds from nearby Shepton Mallet and medieval material from the cathedral precinct.
The museum is small enough to cover in an hour and is well-suited to families. Entry is inexpensive; children under 16 free.