Wells Cathedral - 01749 674483

Wells Cathedral is located in Wells, Somerset. Built between 1175 and 1490, Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”.

Built between 1175 and 1490, Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”. Much of the structure is in the Early English style; the eastern end has retained much original glass, rare in England.

Wells Cathedral has been welcoming pilgrims and tourists for over 1100 years and today receives over 200,000 visitors a year from all over the world.

You may wish to walk around the Cathedral and discover it for yourselves or attend a service but we do recommend a free scheduled tour by one of our highly trained guides. Tours last approximately 1 hour and can add significantly to your enjoyment and appreciation of the Cathedral.

Vicars' Close

Situated by the Chain Gate and through an arch to the east of Wells Cathedral, the majority of houses in Vicars’ Close are occupied by employees of the Cathedral including the Vicars’ Choral (the men of the choir), for whom the houses were built c1360, and who have been singing the services in the Cathedral since the early Middle Ages. Stepping through the arch onto the cobbled street of the Close is to enter an earlier world and yet you will be just a short walk from the busy High Street of the City of Wells with its variety of shops and eating places.

You may be coming to Wells to enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the smallest city in England, on the edge of the beautiful Mendip Hills or to venture further a field to the larger and easily accessible cities of Bath or Bristol (each approximately 20 miles away). Perhaps the reputation that Wells Cathedral has for its music, both at services and concerts, has tempted you to come and stay.

Hire a Venue

Wells Cathedral is a vibrant, busy place. In addition to hundreds of thousands of visitors, we are host to a wide variety of events, concerts and services. These vary in scale from intimate supper concerts to huge services and national broadcasts.

If you are interested in using Wells Cathedral or its precincts as a venue for a function, concert, service or other event, please contact us for further information. Please note the Cathedral diary is booked well in advance for certain dates/events.

Wells Cathedral welcomes visitors every day of the year and it is really only by coming in person that you can properly experience this wonderful and holy place.

Please do check our Opening Times to avoid disappointment, noting particularly that some areas of the cathedral are closed during services.

While admission to the Cathedral is free, donations are very welcome. We receive no regular direct state aid and need over £4,500 per day for the maintenance, upkeep and running costs of this magnificent working Cathedral. See our website for more details.

You are very welcome to attend the regular daily services, which are open to all and free of charge, take a guided tour, visit with a group or simply come and wander in your own time around this special building.

Guide books, leaflets and information boards are available to help interpret the historical, architectural and spiritual significance of the Cathedral.

Free tours of the Cathedral are available all year round except on Sundays. From April to October these normally take place at 10.00am; 11.00am; 1.00pm; 2.00pm and 3.00pm unless there is a special service or event taking place in the Cathedral. From November to March tours take place at 11.00am; 12.00pm and 2.00pm. Please ask for details at the Information Desk and our volunteers will direct you to the starting point. These are led by excellent volunteer guides and last approximately 1 hour.

If you are a UK taxpayer we would be extremely grateful if you would make your donation in one of our yellow gift aid envelopes. This scheme enables the Cathedral to claim a tax refund of an extra 25p for every £1 you give.

Access

All of the ground floor of the Cathedral is accessible to those with walking difficulties or in wheelchairs and there are adapted toilets. A wheelchair is available for loan and if you would like to make use of this please speak to a volunteer on the Information Desk or a Cathedral virger.

For those with visual impairment we warmly welcome Guide Dogs.

For those with hearing impairment the Cathedral operates a loop system for services and events.

Photography

Photography is encouraged subject to the purchase of a permit from the Information Desk, shop or coin-operated machine on entry to the Cathedral, and the specified conditions being observed. Permits cost £3.00 for both cameras and recording devices. Flash photography is not permitted in the Quire at anytime to prevent damage to the delicate needlework. Neither photography nor recording is permitted during services.

Cathedral Cafe and Restaurant

With its views of the stunning West Front of the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace, Chapter Two Cafe and Restaurant is located on the first floor of the Entry Cloister and is accessible either by lift or stairs. It can seat up to 96 people and serves coffees, lunches and afternoon teas. For further information please visit the Eat and Shop section of our website or contact catering@wellscathedral.uk.net

Shops

The Cathedral operates two shops; one situated in the Entry Cloister located just to the right of the West Front of the Cathedral and the second in the heart of the city in the market place. Both sell an array of gifts, a range of CDs, including many recordings of the world famous Wells Cathedral Choir, as well as guidebooks and postcards. For further information please visit the Eat and Shop section of our website.

Tags: Church,Religious Organization