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

Friday 3 October, 1.00 p.m.- 3.30 p.m. — Quire and East End

There will be a funeral service taking place in the Quire and East End. Therefore, these areas will not be accessible to visitors during this time.

Saturday 4 October, 1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m. — Nave

There will be a Readers service taking place in the Nave. All are welcome to join the service, however, the area will not be accessible to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Friday 10 October, 11.30 a.m.- 1.30 p.m. — East End

There will be a Thanksgiving service taking place in the Quire and East End. Therefore, these areas will not be accessible to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding.

Saturday 11 October, 12.30 p.m.- 2.30 p.m. — Quire and East End

There will be a wedding service taking place in the Quire and East End. Therefore, these areas will not be accessible to visitors during this time.

Wednesday 15 October, 2.00 p.m.- 5.00 p.m. — All Areas

There will be a performance from 2.00 p.m. taking place inside the Cathedral and so the Cathedral site will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience.

Saturday 18 October, 8.30 a.m.- 12.00 p.m. — All Areas

Strode College will have a graduation ceremony on this day. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time. Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience.

Upcoming Rehearsals

Tuesday 7 October

Organ Tuning

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

Monday 10 November

Organ Tuning

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

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.

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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