Mythical Creatures

Mythical Creatures


Monday 6 July – Tuesday 1 September

Mythical Creatures have escaped from the books in Wells Cathedral’s medieval library – and they need your help!

 

 

They’re Out!

Thank goodness you’re here! We can’t quite believe the adventure we have on our hands, and we need your help.

This story begins deep in the shelves of Wells Cathedral library, with one of our most ancient and mysterious texts: the Historia Naturalis.

If you were to open its pages on any other day, you’d find endless pictures of the most mysterious and magical creatures you could possibly imagine. Dragons! Griffins! Phoenixes! Unicorns! Since 1650, they were all safely bound together. But not anymore…

Our resident librarian spotted it first; the book knocked to the floor, the pages fluttering in the breeze, except suddenly they were completely empty.

Where have all these mythical creatures gone?!

We’ve certainly spotted some clues.

The Dean of Wells saw a red tail flick around a corner during a sermon. Visitors have heard what sound like hooves clacking up the Chapter House steps. The Wells Cathedral Choir have heard swooping sounds and seen shadows of huge wings spread wide across the Cathedral ceiling. Our mythical creatures clearly haven’t gone very far!

Now we need the help of kind, curious and courageous adventurers who are bold enough to track these mythical creatures down, so we can help them find their way home.

But we must act quick! These creatures may be frightened, but they are smart and it’s only a matter of time before they explore the many rooms, staircases and corners of the Cathedral, and slip through a door – or fly from the towers and disappear forever!

Swoop in this Summer

Join us between 6 July and 1 September to help us understand who these creatures are, help us track them down and send them home, and in doing so become a part of this ancient story which will live on for many more centuries.

Take off on a self-guided family trail full of mythical surprises – spot giant mythical creatures in the Cathedral, check out our observation station to spot more creatures on the loose, and try your hand at our Mythical Creatures creative activities.

The amazing Mythical Creatures experience comes free with admission into Wells Cathedral, or with a valid admission pass!

Plan Your Visit

Mythical Creatures Workshops

Whether your thing is serpentine dragon singing, puppet-making, illuminated lettering, clay sculpting or woodblock printing – there’s Mythical Creatures creativity for everyone at Wells Cathedral this summer – and it’s all free with Cathedral admission!

Singing Serpents Workshops
Thursday 23 July, 30 July, 20 August and 27 August, 11.30am

Join the search for the Cathedral’s missing mythical creatures this summer by tuning in to the musical language of the serpentine dragons! Learn to use your body to make the best singing sound you can, to communicate with the escapees, and sing mythical creature themed songs in the amazing surroundings of Wells Cathedral’s Chapter House. Come along to our Singing Serpents sessions during the summer holidays to find your voice, and maybe some scaly friends too!

Make a Dragon Puppet
Tuesday 4 and 18 August, 10.30am–3.30pm

Use our template to make a dragon puppet, then teach it some tricks!

Be a Bookmaker
Wednesday 5 and 19 August, 10.30am–3.30pm

Make a mini Chained Library book and fill the pages with animal-inspired illuminated lettering.

Print a Picture 
Tuesday 11 and 25 August, 10.30am–3.30pm

Design a mythical creature, then explore printing techniques inspired by woodblock prints found in many of our library’s books.

Make a Clay Creature
Wednesday 12 and 26 August, 10.30am–3.30pm

Bring your ideas for a mythical creature to life by making a model from clay.

Listen to our Music