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

Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December

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

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

Friday 26 December 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026

The Cathedral 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 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.

Tuesday 6 January 2026, 9.45 a.m.- 11.45 a.m.- The Loft Café

The Loft Café will be closed today for cleaning and maintenance. Thank you for your understanding.

Tuesday 6 January to Friday 27 February 2026

Phase 1 of the work to save the Cathedral’s Grand Organ will be taking place throughout this time. For more information, click here.

Upcoming Music Rehearsals

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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