Wells Cathedral Somerset

Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset

History | Architecture | Access | Cathedrals in Britain

Wells Cathedral in the city of Wells in Somerset is rightly celebrated as one of the UK’s most beautiful churches.

History

The cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490 and is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who resides at the nearby Bishop’s Palace. There is evidence that there has been a church at this site since the 8th century.

West Front

The magnificent West Front, which dates from around 1230, is one of the largest galleries of medieval sculpture in the world. From the bottom, biblical scenes are depicted rising to kings, bishops, and angels until the twelve apostles and Christ at the very top.

The cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490

Architecture

The superb Chapter House (1306) has a series of worn steps up to this most sumptuous meeting room. The octagonal-shaped room was used (and still is on occasion) to discuss the cathedral business. Before the stairs to the entrance to the Chapter House is the Wells Cathedral clock which is said to be the second oldest clock in England after the clock in Salisbury Cathedral and was probably built by the same clock-makers as the two clocks are very similar in style.

Chapter House

The spectacular Scissor Arches were a medieval solution to sinking tower foundations and were inserted in the 14th century to stabilize the structure.