Wookey Hole Caves & Paper Mill
Just 3km (2 miles) west of Wells, you'll first come upon the source of the Axe River. In the first chamber of the caves, as legend has it, is the Witch of Wookey turned to stone. It is believed that these caves were inhabited by prehistoric people at least 60,000 years ago. A tunnel, opened in 1975, leads to the chambers previously unknown and, at one time, accessible only to divers.
Leaving the caves, follow a canal path to the mill, where paper has been made by hand since the 17th century. Here, the best-quality handmade paper is made by skilled workers according to the tradition of their ancient craft. You can purchase fine handmade stationery direct from the paper mill at an on-site shop, featuring artists' paper pads, greeting cards (some of which are Celtic), and boxed stationery. Also in the mill are "hands-on vats" (where visitors can try making a sheet of paper), and an Edwardian Penny Pier Arcade, where you can exchange new pennies for old ones to play the original machines. Other attractions include the Magical Mirror Maze and an enclosed passage of multiple image mirrors.
Just 3km (2 miles) west of Wells, you'll first come upon the source of the Axe River. In the first chamber of the caves, as legend has it, is the Witch of Wookey turned to stone. It is believed that these caves were inhabited by prehistoric people at least 60,000 years ago. A tunnel, opened in 1975, leads to the chambers previously unknown and, at one time, accessible only to divers.
Leaving the caves, follow a canal path to the mill, where paper has been made by hand since the 17th century. Here, the best-quality handmade paper is made by skilled workers according to the tradition of their ancient craft. You can purchase fine handmade stationery direct from the paper mill at an on-site shop, featuring artists' paper pads, greeting cards (some of which are Celtic), and boxed stationery. Also in the mill are "hands-on vats" (where visitors can try making a sheet of paper), and an Edwardian Penny Pier Arcade, where you can exchange new pennies for old ones to play the original machines. Other attractions include the Magical Mirror Maze and an enclosed passage of multiple image mirrors.
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