Diocesan Outreach

Diocesan Outreach


Rooted in the transforming love of God, we seek to be a beacon of light and hope, welcoming and serving people, churches, and communities
across our diocese, county, and beyond.

Below are just some of a great number of ways people in the area can engage with Wells Cathedral, either by visiting us or by bringing us to you. If you would like to find out more about the offers available, please get in touch by email to office@wellscathedral.org.uk or by calling us on 01749 674483.

Sunday Hospitality

Our Sunday Hospitality scheme offers parishes a special ‘away day’ at Wells Cathedral, bringing people together for worship, fellowship, and reflection.

Highlights of your day could include:

  • Reserved Seating at Worship: Gather as a parish at the 10.30 a.m. Cathedral Eucharist.
  • Parish Participation: An opportunity for your incumbent to serve as a deacon.
  • Guided Tour: Discover the history and beauty of Wells Cathedral.
  • Lunch Space: Reserved seating in the Loft Café or a picnic area.
  • Clergy Reflection: Meet with Cathedral clergy to share and connect.
  • Choral Evensong: Round off your visit with prayers and music to mark the end of the day.

Diocesan Choral Festival

Parish Church choirs of all backgrounds are invited to join in each year for a Saturday of music and fellowship at Wells Cathedral.

The festival day includes:

  • Combined Rehearsal: Unite with other visiting choirs for a detailed look at the day’s music.
  • Cathedral Exploration and Refreshments: Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee, and a chance to explore.
  • Rehearsal with the Cathedral Choir: Join with the Cathedral’s music team for a final rehearsal ahead of the evening service.
  • Choral Evensong: Experience the joy of singing Evensong as a massed choir.
  • Music Booklet keepsake: Each participant receives a booklet of the day’s music to keep.

Liturgical and Musical Exchange

Wells Cathedral warmly invites clergy, parishioners and choirs from across the Diocese to engage in an exchange of gifts, either by joining us at the Cathedral or inviting us to their parish. These exchanges foster community and deepen our shared ministry.

Come to the Cathedral:

  • Ministerial Roles: Lay Readers can read at Choral Evensong, and newly ordained Deacons and Priests may serve or preach during services.
  • Day Chaplaincy: Lay Readers and parish clergy are welcome to minister to visitors as Day Chaplains.
  • Choir Residencies: Parish choirs of good standing are invited to lead worship for either a single Evensong, a weekend, or a full week during Cathedral Choir holidays.

Invite the Cathedral to Your Parish:

  • Cathedral Clergy Preaching: Invite our clergy to preach on themes such as community, education, liturgy, or other appropriate subjects for special services or events.
  • Cathedral Choir Visits: Invite the Cathedral Choir to sing for your parish’s Patronal or Dedication Festival, or other celebrations. Typically, we offer a half-choir (up to 18 choristers and 6 Vicars Choral) to lead Evensong with the Canon Precentor.
  • Saturday Music Workshops: Cathedral musicians can lead Saturday workshops in parish churches to support music ministry, engage children and the community in music, or assist with fundraising. Only a church space and a piano or keyboard are required.
  • Primary School Music Support: Professional musicians are available to work with primary school teachers across the Diocese, helping enhance music education for young students.

Special Interest Groups

The Cathedral offers unique opportunities for interest groups across the Diocese to connect, share skills, and celebrate their ministries together:

  • Bell Ringing: The Cathedral’s Bell Ringers welcome bands from parishes throughout the Diocese, offering them the chance to ring the world’s heaviest ring of ten bells—a memorable experience for any campanologist!
  • Embroidery Support: The Cathedral’s skilled embroidery team is available to assist churches across the Diocese with the upkeep and repair of vestments, altar frontals, and other textiles, helping preserve these valuable items.
  • Flower Arranging: Parish flower arranging teams are invited to mark significant occasions by creating displays in the Cathedral, celebrating their art and enhancing our worship spaces.
  • Future Gardening Initiatives: Once the Cathedral’s herb garden is established, we hope to involve gardening enthusiasts from parishes across the Diocese to collaborate and share in this project.

Parish Pass

Anyone who is on their parish church’s electoral roll and living in the Diocese of Bath and Wells (or Cathedral Community Roll) is eligible to apply for a Wells Cathedral Parish Pass.

The Parish Pass provides free admission to the Cathedral for the duration of the current Church electoral roll period, alongside a host of benefits including discounts on tours and talks, and pre-booking for selected Cathedral events.

Find out more on our Admission Passes page.

 

Catering and Venue Hire

Wells Cathedral is a fantastic venue to hire for fundraising events or community celebrations, offering not only the grandeur of the Nave but also smaller, versatile spaces to suit a range of needs. While we cannot provide spaces free of charge, parish groups may qualify for not-for-profit discounts.

We also offer a competitive catering service, featuring delicious sandwich and cake platters made from the finest local produce, available for local delivery. Catering for private evening functions, dinners, wedding receptions, corporate hospitality, and other events is also available by arrangement.

Find out more on our Catering and Venue Hire page.

Library Resources and Study Space

The Library at Wells Cathedral is a valuable space for study in the middle of Wells, and a resource which offers historic and current content including both books and periodicals from across the Diocese.

We can offer the use of space in the library to work in a quiet and atmospheric environment, as well as the use of the books in the reference room, which can be discussed in advance by email with the Librarian.

We can also offer research appointments in the historic chained library, to academics and those pursuing an interest in a variety of subjects.

 

Discounted supplies and retail offers

If your Parish Church is looking to update hymnals, bibles, Advent or Lent study books, or other resources, have you tried the Cathedral Shop as a supplier?

Having relationships with a large number of wholesalers, we are able to offer competitive prices and discounts for larger quantities.

Listen to our Music