Message from the Dean

Wells Cathedral is a living community of prayer and hospitality.

I hope that you will come and enjoy the wonderful display of medieval statues on the West Front, and inside the graceful scissor arches, the humorous carvings on the pillars, and the deep colours of the stained glass. If you come to Evensong you may hear the exhilarating voices of the world-famous Wells Cathedral Choir. In this place hallowed by the prayer of centuries pause for a moment and give thanks for the gift of life.

The Cathedral of the Diocese of Bath and Wells is situated next to natural wells where springs of water rise up from beneath the Mendip Hills. This site has been a holy place for nearly 2000 years. The foundations of the building you see today were laid in 1185. The Cathedral stands adjacent to the medieval Bishop’s Palace and Vicars’ Close, the oldest continuously inhabited street in Europe. A major project completed in 2009 has provided new facilities for choirs and education, a dedicated interpretation area, a new entrance with shop and restaurant, and has enabled the medieval cloister to be reopened to the public.

I hope this website gives you a glimpse of this wonderful and inspiring place.

The Very Revd John Clarke, Dean of Wells