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.

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.

 

Update on West Front Works – Wells Cathedral

Upcoming Visitor Restrictions and Closures

Cider & Cheese Festival Set Up

Thursday 25 and Friday 26 September

There will be the set up and preparation of our Cider & Cheese Festival on Saturday 27 September.

To be advised if you are visiting on either of these days, there will be movement of items, noise and set up of stands during the day on each of these days.

Please do Join us at Wells Cathedral for a flavour-filled celebration of two West Country favourites –cider and cheese on Saturday!

More information and booking tickets

The whole cathedral site will be used for the entire day for this event.

 

Cider & Cheese Festival
Saturday 27 September. 9.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Join us at Wells Cathedral for a flavour-filled celebration of two West Country favourites –cider and cheese from 12.00 p.m. !
Whether you’re a seasoned cider connoisseur, a dedicated cheese lover or just curious to try something new, this is a fantastic opportunity to savour the best that Somerset has to offer.

More information and booking tickets

The whole cathedral site will be used for the entire day for this event.
Morning Liturgy as normal and the evening service will be Said Prayer in the Vicars’ Close Chapel.

 

Friday 3 October 

Funeral Service

Quire and East End 

1.30 p.m.- 3.30 p.m.

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 

Readers Service

Nave

1.30 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

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.

 

Friday 10 October 

Thanksgiving Service

Quire and East End 

11.30 a.m.- 1.30 p.m.

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.

 

Saturday 18 October 

Strode College Graduation Ceremony

Whole Cathedral 

8.30 a.m.- 12.00 p.m.

Strode College will have a graduation ceremony on this day. Therefore, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors during this time.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

 

Upcoming Rehearsals

Tuesday 7 October 

Organ Tuning

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

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.

 

Monday 10 November

Organ Tuning

9.30 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

Listen to our Music