Accessibility

General Information

• The Visitor Entrance is on the Cathedral Green, on the right as you face the building. From here, the main Cathedral floor (Nave) is accessed via the West Cloister, either up a ramp with a handrail or a set of five steps.
• Visitor leaflets are available in 11 languages.
• Accessible toilets are provided in two toilet blocks inside the Cathedral (one by the exit, one in the Friends Building).
• For travel and parking information, please click here.
• When the Visitor Entrance closes, the North-West door or South-West door is used (both on the West Front). The South-West door has a single step and a small, internal porch with limited room to manoeuvre. For larger events, the Visitor Entrance is used for access as during normal opening times.
• The Cathedral’s exits are the same as for entry.

Mobility

• Wheelchairs are available on arrival (subject to availability) and can be pre-booked by calling our Visitor Services team on 01749 671663.
• Reserved spaces for wheelchair users and their companions are available in Cathedral services (not pre-bookable) and concerts — For concerts, please email bookings@wellscathedral.org.uk or call Events on 01749 832 207 to book spaces.
• Hourly tours are generally accessible for all visitors, including wheelchair users and visually impaired people. Guides are able to tailor the route to suit the needs of visitors at the time.

Level Access

• The Visitor Entrance has level access.
• There is level access from the Visitor Entrance to the Nave, Quire, Cloisters, Undercroft, Camery Garden, Education Room, Choir Practice Rooms, and Cathedral Shop. Visitors are reminded that, owing to the historic nature of the buildings, some areas of paving have worn unevenly over time.
• The Loft Café is accessible via a lift.
• The Chapter House can only be accessed via a well-worn set of 31 steps. A handrail is installed on the left side of the stairs.
• The Chained Library and Reading Room can only be accessed  via a restricted-width spiral staircase of 28 steps. A hand rope is fastened to the outer wall.
• The East Cloister is joined to the Nave via a historic doorway and six steps. Step-free access is available via the West Cloister (see above) up a ramp with a handrail adjacent to 5 steps.
• The Palm Churchyard can only accessible via 3 shallow steps from the West Cloister, or 2 steep steps from the East Cloister.
• High Parts Tours include up to 250 steps, uneven floors, low ceilings, and narrow passages. These tours are not recommended for vsitors with respiritory or heart conditions, seizures, joint problems, balance problems, reduced mobility, or who are pregnant.

Hearing

• The Cathedral has a loop system (Position ‘T’) at all services. A portable hearing loop system is also provided for services within the Lady Chapel.
• An audio guide is available to purchase and download to your device at the Welcome Desk.

Visual

• There is low lighting in some parts of the Cathedral.
• The English language visitor leaflet is available in Braille and in Large Print.
• An audio guide is available to purchase and download to your device at the Welcome Desk.
• Guided Tours for visually impaired visitors are available to book in advance. Please call 01749 672773.

Dogs

• Dogs are welcome in the Cathedral providing they are on a lead, well-behaved and accompanied at all times by their owner(s). There is no provision for dogs to be left with staff or volunteers.
• Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome in the Cathedral at all times.
• Dogs are not permitted on tours that goes above ground-level (including the Library and High Parts Tours).
• Water bowls can be found around the Cathedral and free dog biscuits are available in the Loft Café.

Mental Health

• Staff and volunteers have received training in Dementia Care, in partnership with the City of Wells Dementia Action Alliance.
• SEN Schools are very welcome at the Cathedral. We offer multi-sensory tours in very small groups and use of our secure Education Suite. Click here for more information.

Tours

• High Parts Tours include up to 250 steps, uneven floors, low ceilings, and narrow passages. These tours are not recommended for vsitors with respiritory or heart conditions, seizures, joint problems, balance problems, reduced mobility, or who are pregnant.

Contact Us

Please email office@wellscathedral.org.uk or call 01749 671663 to confirm access arrangements to any other buildings, including offices within the Cathedral.