Wells Cathedral

St Andrew's Cathedral was begun at the end of the 12th century and was consecrated in 1239 after the first phase of building. It is reached from the market place via Penniless Porch (about 1450), a gateway where the poor used to beg for alms from churchgoers. Work continued on the cathedral between 1290 and 1340 with the addition of the central tower to the transept and the Lady Chapel in the chancel.

Picture - The St Andrews Cathedral, known as the Wells Cathedral.

Picture - Side shot of Wells Cathedral in Somerset.

View a slideshow of Wells Cathedral Pictures

Wells Cathedral Map

Important Information:

Official site: www.wellscathedral.org.uk

Address: West Cloister, The Close, Wells BA5 2UE, England

Opening hours: Apr 1 to Sep 30: 7am-7pm
Oct 1 to Mar 31: 7am-6pm

Entrance fee in GBP: Adult £5.50, Senior £4.00, Child £2.50

Useful tips: Admission costs are suggested donations. Quiet Hour 12 noon to 1pm from April to October. Photography is permitted.

Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.

Guides: Guided tour included with admission.

Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service

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The west towers were completed in the southwest in 1386 and in the northwest in 1421.

The west front (1220-1240) is most magnificent, despite much weathering and the loss of the polychrome frames of the more than 300 figures symbolizing the community of the church and the state. In contrast to the distinctive vertical twin-tower facades of French Gothic cathedrals, the English facades display a wider horizontal emphasis, popular since the Romanesque period. Facades and towers are linked in an unusual way, in that the massive towers are positioned next to the side aisles, but in alignment with the end wall of the nave. A combination of narrow lance windows, blind arches and mixed buttresses subdivide the facade. The mid-section of the front is embellished with a gable comprising figures within galleries and pinnacles, while the towers are plain and without ornamentation.

Wells Cathedral Highlights

Cathedral Interior

The interior of Wells Cathedral triple-aisled basilica is simple. A unique feature in the crossing are the double pointed inverted arches. This unorthodox solution was found in 1338 to stop the central tower from collapsing. The capitals in the southwest arm of the transept are particularly charming, with depictions such as a bald-headed man, a man with toothache, a thorn-extractor, and a moral tale: fruit thieves being caught and punished. In the gallery there are numerous statues of bishops (about 1230) and their tombs (14th century). The chancel shows evidence of late Gothic influence. The unusual carvings, including depictions of animals playing musical instruments, on the misericords of the choir stalls are impressive. The large stained glass Golden Window at the end of the chancel depicts the Tree of Jesse, Jesus' line of descent. A famous astronomical clock, constructed in 1392, can be seen in the northwest transept. When it strikes on the hour mounted knights ride into action. Below this is "Christ's Resurrection" by Jacob Epstein (1880-1959).

Picture - Right Aisle of Wells Cathedral.

Picture - The beautiful interior of Wells Cathedral.

Cathedral Chapter House & Cloister

A few steps beyond the chancel a staircase (13th/15th century), decorated with figures of monks bearing columns, leads from the cathedral to the chapterhouse (1360), an octagonal room of consummate perfection whose palm-like vaulting is borne on a single central pier. The surrounding bench was designed for meetings of the members of the cathedral's chapter.

The 15th century cloister is in the Perpendicular style.

Vicars' Close

This row of 40 14th century houses built to accommodate Wells Cathedral clergy has been marvelously retained and is still inhabited by church employees and students of theology. The chimneys were not built until 1470. The houses are linked to the cathedral via a bridge.