Visit
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.
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.
Donations
While admission to the Cathedral is free, donations are very welcome. We receive no direct state aid and need over £4,000 per day for the maintenance, upkeep and running costs of this magnificent working Cathedral. To help us with this a suggested guideline might be as follows:
Adults: £6.00
Senior citizens: £4.00
Students and children: £3.00
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.
Chapter Two 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 this website or contact catering@wellscathedral.uk.net
Shop
The Cathedral Shop is situated in the Entry Cloister located just to the right of the West Front of the Cathedral. It sells 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 this website.
