Special Schools

Special Schools are very welcome at Wells Cathedral and we offer multi-sensory tours in very small groups and use of our secure Education Suite. Its secure access provides a contained space that serves as a great base from which to explore the Cathedral. It offers private toilet facilities, cupboards for bags and coats and tables for crafts and/or lunch, and direct access to the Camery Garden (if dry).

New for 2026: Thanks to funding from Project Factory CIC, we are able to offer free places to disadvantaged children for self-led visits, guided tours and programmed days. See the Booking Form for more details.

Download our Educational Visits brochure below to find out more.

Download Brochure

Multi-sensory Tour

The multi-sensory tour around the Cathedral involves touching different textures and materials; hearing a variety of sounds – singing, clock (and the amazing silence in a large space); smelling fragrant floral displays, incense and candles; and enjoying the visual diversity of light, colour, art, architecture, carvings, stained glass and the display at the clock. This has been enjoyed by many pupils with complex learning difficulties.

Tailored Visits

We tailor each visit to suit the needs of the children and young adults and offer activities such as flower-arranging and clay modelling if schools wish to stay for the day.

A multi-sensory tour costs £2.75 per pupil, and a full day programme including a tour and activities costs £5.50 per pupil.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and this was one of the most successful visits we have been on. All of the children were interested and engaged throughout and were excited to look at their photos and share these with their families when the day had finished. The Education Room was a lovely base and gave us plenty of room to learn in groups. Jess and the tour guides all helped us to have a brilliant day, thank you!”

— Rebecca Tranter, teacher at Fosse Way School