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.

Upcoming Visitor Restrictions and Closures

Saturday 3 October

1.15 p.m.- 6.00 p.m.

1.15 p.m.- 3.45 p.m.

There will be the Readers service during this time in the Nave. Therefore, entrance to the Cathedral at this time will only be for those attending the service during this time.

3.45 p.m.-4.30 p.m.

There will be limited visitor access to the Cathedral with a number of areas closed ahead of Evensong at 5.15 p.m.

4.30 p.m. onwards

There will be preparation taking place for Evensong at 5.15 p.m. during this time in the Nave. Therefore, entrance to the Cathedral will only be for those attending the service.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sunday 4 October

The Loft Café will close at 1:00pm due to a private event.

Wednesday 7 October

The Loft Café will close at 2:00pm due to a private event.

Friday 23 October

All day

We have the University Centre Somerset Graduations 2026 taking place all day on this date, therefore entry will be only for those attending the ceremonies.

Thank you for your understanding.

Saturday 7 November

1.30 p.m.- 4.00 p.m.

There will be the Diocesian Confirmation service during this time in the Nave. There will be entrance only for those attending the service.

Thank you for your understanding.

Monday 9 November

8:50 a.m.- 9.30 a.m.

There will be the Wells Cathedral School Rememberance service during this time in the Nave. There will be entrance only for those attending the service.

Thank you for your understanding.

Monday 23 November

All day

There will be the Diocesan Pre- Advent Retreat Day during this time. There will be entrance only for those invited to attend this retreat.

Thank you for your understanding.

Saturday 28 November

10.00 a.m.-1.15 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.

12.30 p.m.-3.00p.m.- Post Wedding Drinks will be taking place in the Chapter House, so this area will be closed to the public during this time.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sunday 29 November

3.00 p.m.- 6.30 p.m.

There will be Said Evening Prayer in the Vicars’ Close Chapel from 3.00-3.30 followed by preparation for the Cathedral Advent Carol Service Readers service starting at 5.00 p.m.

There will be entrance only for those attending the service.

Thank you for your understanding.

Upcoming Rehearsals

Friday 16 October

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Celine Dion by Candlelight 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.

Saturday 17 October

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Coldplay by Candlelight 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.

Friday 30 October

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons by Candlelight 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.

Wednesday 4 November

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Borderless Collective 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.

Tuesday 17 November

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for G4 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.

Saturday 21 November

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Bowie Candlelight 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.

Wednesday 25 November

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for The Drifters 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.

Wednesday 2 December

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for evening 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.

Thursday 3 December

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Quire for Opus Anglicanum 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.

Saturday 5 December

2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

There is a rehearsal taking place during this time in the Nave for Handel’s Messiah 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.

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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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