Wells is England’s smallest city — and one of its most beautiful. The medieval cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, the ancient streets fanning out from the market place, the stone-built houses that have stood for centuries — Wells is a place where the quality of craft in its buildings is visible everywhere you look. Working in Wells, and working well there, requires someone who understands what they’re dealing with.
Phil Markides covers Wells as part of his regular working area. He’s been visiting the city for 20 years and has worked on properties ranging from the older city centre houses to the farmhouses and rural properties in the surrounding Somerset countryside.
Chimney Sweeping in Wells
Wells’ older properties — the stone-built houses within and around the historic core — have chimneys that need regular professional maintenance. Many of them are in conservation areas or are listed, which means the work needs to be carried out with understanding and care. Phil sweeps chimneys throughout Wells, providing full documentation and honest condition reporting on every visit.
Fireplace and Stove Installation in Wells
Wood-burning stoves work beautifully in Wells’ older properties — they suit the character of stone buildings and provide the kind of warmth that central heating alone doesn’t deliver in a draughty period home. Phil installs stoves and fireplaces across Wells and Somerset, and handles all relevant certification and chimney preparation. For listed properties, he’ll flag any consent requirements at the assessment stage.
Stone Masonry in Wells
The Somerset limestone of Wells’ buildings needs the right kind of maintenance — lime mortar repointing, sympathetic stone repairs, careful chimney stack work. Phil understands this material and uses the appropriate methods. He also undertakes garden walls, stone patios and bespoke masonry features for Wells properties.
Call Phil on 07708 362 171, Angela on 07535 675 363, or contact us online. We also cover Shepton Mallet, Frome, Radstock and the wider Somerset area. See all areas we cover.
My Wells property is listed. Can you still do chimney and fireplace work?
Yes — though certain types of work in listed buildings may require listed building consent in addition to Building Regulations approval. Phil is experienced working on listed and historic properties and will flag any consent requirements at the assessment stage. The work is carried out with the care and methods appropriate to a historic building.
Do you cover the villages around Wells — Cheddar direction, Shepton Mallet area?
Yes — Phil covers a wide area around Wells including the Mendip villages, the Somerset Levels fringes, and the towns and villages towards Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and the surrounding area.