Wells Cathedral
The first fully Gothic cathedral in England, located in England's smallest city. Its scissor arches and medieval astronomical clock are unique.
Wells is England's smallest city. Its cathedral began construction around 1175 and was the first cathedral in England built entirely in the Gothic style. The west front retains some 300 medieval statues. The 'scissor arches' added at the crossing in the 14th century have a distinctive shape. The north transept holds an astronomical clock from around 1390, and on the hour, knights ride out to joust. The chapter house staircase, worn into a wavy shape, is also very photogenic. In the moat around the Bishop's Palace next door, swans pull a bell cord to ask for food. Nearby, Vicars' Close is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited street in Europe. The cathedral is about 35 km from Bath.
Opening hours
About 07:00–18:00 (donation suggested)
Nearby sights
- Glastonbury Tor
- Glastonbury Abbey
- Cheddar Gorge
- SS Great Britain
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Royal Crescent
- Thermae Bath Spa
- Jane Austen Centre