Description: Wells Cathedral is called a 'poetic' cathedral. It's a really stunning building that dates back to the 13th century. It's proper name is the Cathedral of St. Andrews and is the seat for the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The showpiece is the west front, broad and high, almost square shaped with two square towers and over 300 statues set into the facade. The Cathedral faces a wide lawn, the "green", and glows as the sun goes down.
Inside, there are some original stained glass windows in the east side, one dating back to the 14th century, and some superb fan vaulting to support the central tower. Also supporting the tower are unique scissor style arches. They say they are the only ones like it but I have seen something similar in the Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff though not as nice.
The Cathedral, like most, is massive inside yet it doesn't feel cavernous. It is peaceful and cool, a wonderful place to sit and think and admire the soaring heights, lined with windows and arches. There is a very old astronomical clock (1390) that is one of if not the oldest working clock in the world. It's also connected to a newer clock on the outside of cathedral (newer by about 70 years).
The Chapter House is also worth a visit though be careful on the worn steps up to it. We didn't get to see it the day we went as they were using it to film a movie.
You can visit for free but they will charge for a photography permit. They suggest a 6 pound donation. There's a little cafe as well as the shop. They do free tours of the cathedral throughout the day.
After leaving the Cathedral, go to see the Bishop's Palace behind it. It's set in a lovely park and there's a moat around the Palace where swans will ring a bell at the gatehouse to be fed. It's a medeival palace/residence for the Bishop of Bath and Wells but it is open to the public during the summer season. We didn't have time to visit inside as we didn't get here until later in the day and it was about to close. We walked in the gardens a bit.
Close