Admission and Opening Times

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Admission and Opening Times

See a complete list of admission prices as well as other ways to visit, including with a Cathedral Card and admission passes. You can also find out about opening and last entry times.

For any visitor enquiries please email visits@wellscathedral.org.uk or phone 01749 671 663.

 

Festive Opening Times

Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December

The Cathedral doors will be open for services 7.00am until 12.30pm. Said Evening Prayer will be held in the Vicars’ Close Chapel.

Friday 26 December 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026

The Cathedral doors will be open from 9.00am – 4.00pm only. Adjusted service times can be found in the services and music list.

 

Please note the Welcome Desk, Cathedral Shop and Loft Cafe will not be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Saturday 27 December.

From Sunday 28 December to Thursday 1 January the operating hours of the Welcome Desk, Cathedral Shop and Loft Cafe will be 10.00am-3.00pm during this time.

The scheduled hourly tours will be running and Library will be open from Monday 5 January.

 

 

General Admission

General admission tickets can be purchased via the Welcome Desk at the Cathedral, and include a complimentary Highlights Tour or Audio Tour and admission to the Undercroft Exhibition.

There is no charge for people who wish to come into the Cathedral to pray, attend a service, or light a candle.

Re-use your ticket

Standard admission tickets include re-entry for 12 months from date of purchase, so you can enjoy access to a number of seasonal events, including exhibitions and Family Holiday Activities beyond your initial visit.

Adult £15.00
Child (0-17) FREE when accompanied by parent or guardian *
Explorer Backpack Hire £2.50

*Does not apply to school or group bookings

Joint Ticket

Wells Cathedral and The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens

This new ticket offers discounted day entry to both major attractions in Wells versus the cost of separate admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Cathedral’s Welcome Desk, at The Bishop’s Palace’s Ticket Office, or online here.

Joint Ticket £22 (+£0.60 booking Fee)
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Regular visitor?

Details about our Cathedral Card, which offers 12 month re-entry plus additional discounts and benefits, are available here.

Local residents may be eligible for the the new Residents’ Pass which allows barrier free access, or if you’re on your parish church’s electoral roll and living in the Diocese of Bath and Wells you may be eligible for a Parish Pass, which also allows barrier free access.

Admission Passes

Opening Times

Cathedral

Daily 7.00 a.m.–6.00 p.m.

Welcome Desk

Monday to Saturday 9.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Sunday 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.

Shop

Monday to Saturday 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Sunday 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.

The Loft Café

Daily 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Closures and Restrictions

From time to time, areas of the Cathedral may be closed for services, special events, filming, or maintenance. We try to minimise these periods as much as we can, especially when the Cathedral is open during the daytime.

Wells Cathedral is a working cathedral, which means monthly tuning of the organ and music rehearsals throughout the year.

Organ tuning is a part of the essential work and maintenance for our organ, but it does make it noisier than usual in the cathedral. This could be a particular impact for hearing aid users, persons sensitive to loud noises, young children, and dogs.

2026 Organ Tuning Dates
Thursday 8 January
Friday 9 January

Please check the Closures and Restrictions page for any last minute changes prior to your visit as some events may be arranged at short notice.

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  • Admission Passes
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