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 impactful for hearing aid users, persons sensitive to loud noises, young children, and dogs.

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

Upcoming Visitor Restrictions and Closures

Saturday 8 November, 1.45 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.- Quire and East End

There will be a wedding service taking place. Therefore, the Quire and East End of the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Tuesday 25 November, 9.00 a.m.- 4.30 p.m.- All Areas

There will be the Diocesan Pre Advent Retreat Day taking place in the Cathedral. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Friday 28 November, 9.00 a.m.- 10.45 a.m.- All Areas

There will be the St Andrews Day service taking place in the Cathedral. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Tuesday 2 December, 11.00 a.m.- 1.00 p.m.- All Areas

There will be a school carol service taking place in the Cathedral. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Wednesday 10 December, 2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.- All Areas

There will be the Women’s Institute Carol Service taking place in the Cathedral. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Friday 12 December, 9.45 a.m.- 11.45 a.m.- All Areas

There will be a school carol service taking place in the Cathedral. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Upcoming Music Rehearsals

Saturday 1 November

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be a musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Monday 10 November

Organ Tuning

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

Friday 21 November

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be a musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Saturday 22 November

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be a musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Wednesday 26 November

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be a musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Saturday 29 November

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be a musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Saturday 29 November

Peal Attempt on the Cathedral Bells

12.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

A peal in bell ringing is the special name given to a specific type of performance of change ringing which meets certain exacting conditions for duration, complexity and quality.

Tuesday 2 December

2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be a musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Monday 8 December

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

To be aware of there will be the set up and then musical rehearsal during this time for an upcoming concert. All are welcome to visit during this time.

Wednesday 17 December

Organ Tuning

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

Regular Closures

Monday–Saturday

The East End of the Cathedral will close at 4.00 p.m. in preparation for Choral Evensong which takes place in the Quire at 5.15 p.m. Occasionally, there will be a service of Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel in place of Choral Evensong, and the East End may be open for slightly longer. Visitors are welcome to attend these services.

Wednesday

The Lady Chapel and parts of the East End will be closed from 9.45 a.m. to 10.45 a.m. for the Midweek Eucharist service which all are welcome to attend.

Sunday

Visiting hours begin at 11.45 a.m, following the Sunday morning services, until 3.00 p.m.

All are welcome to attend Sunday Services in the Cathedral.

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Wells Cathedral is a working church and the information detailed above may not be exhaustive. Please check the What’s On page for services and events before planning your trip or call the Cathedral offices on 01749 674 483.

All are welcome to take a seat in the congregation for services at the Cathedral. In most cases, large choral services and events will be preceded by a rehearsal in situ, and visitors are welcome to sit and enjoy these. We simply ask that noise is kept to a minimum for the duration of the rehearsal, notwithstanding any disruption from the movement of staging/equipment.

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