Closures and Restrictions

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. These could be a particular impactful for hearing aid users, persons sensitive to loud noises, young children, and dogs.

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.

Café refurbishment notice – Our Café will be temporarily CLOSED from Saturday 30 May to Monday 8 June while we make some improvements. We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Upcoming Visitor Restrictions and Closures

Thursday 28 May

2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a prayer ministry session taking place during this time in the Lady Chapel. Therefore, the Lady Chapel will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Thursday 4 June

12.00 p.m.-12.45 p.m.

There is a mass for the Society of Catholic Priests taking place during this time in the Lady Chapel. Therefore, the Lady Chapel will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Thursday 4 June

2.00 p.m.-2.45 p.m.

The Society of Catholic Priests gathering for a time of silence & then a simple Benediction taking place during this time in the Lady Chapel. Therefore, the Lady Chapel will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 6 June

3.15 p.m.- 4.15 p.m.

There is a wedding blessing taking place during this time in the Lady Chapel. Therefore, the East End of the Cathedral will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Thursday 11 June

2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a prayer ministry session taking place during this time in the Lady Chapel. Therefore, the Lady Chapel will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Tuesday 23 June

9.00 a.m.- 2.30 p.m.

There is a Moving Up Celebration service taking place during this time in the Nave. Therefore, the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Wednesday 24 June

9.00 a.m.- 12.00 p.m.

There is a Moving Up Celebration service taking place during this time in the Nave. Therefore, the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Thursday 25 June

2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a prayer ministry session taking place during this time in the Lady Chapel. Therefore, the Lady Chapel will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 27 June

1.00 p.m.- 3.30 p.m.

There is a wedding service taking place during this time in the Nave. Therefore, the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Sunday 28 June

10.00 a.m.- 12.30 p.m.

There is the Ordination of Deacons service taking place during this time in the Nave. Therefore, the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding.  

 

Friday 3 July

10.30 a.m.- 12.30 p.m.

There is a WCS service taking place during this time in the Nave. Therefore, the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 4 July

1.30 p.m.- 12.30 p.m.

There is a memorial service taking place during this time in the Quire. Therefore, the East End of the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 25 July

10.00 a.m.- 12.30 p.m.

There is a wedding service taking place during this time in the Quire. Therefore, the East End of the Cathedral site will be accessible only for those attending the service during this time.

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Upcoming Rehearsals

Friday 19 June

2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for ‘Pink Floyd by Candlelight’. The Cathedral site is open for visitors during this time, but be aware there will be music playing throughout. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 11 July

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for ‘WOWFest Carmina Burana’. The Cathedral site is open for visitors during this time, but be aware there will be music playing throughout. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Friday 17 July

2.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for ‘The Music of Westlife’. The Cathedral site is open for visitors during this time, but be aware there will be music playing throughout. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 25 July

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Southampton Youth Orchestra. The Cathedral site is open for visitors during this time, but be aware there will be music playing throughout. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Saturday 1 August

1.00 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Somerset Chamber Choir Concert. The Cathedral site is open for visitors during this time, but be aware there will be music playing throughout. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Organ Tuning

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.

 

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 to visitors 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, and end before the start of the Evensong at 3.00 p.m.

All are welcome to attend Sunday Services in the Cathedral.

__________

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.

Listen to our Music