St Andrew Cathedral, Wells, England Verified listing

St Andrew Cathedral, Wells, England

Wells Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, stands in the heart of Wells, Somerset, England. It serves as the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. This cathedral hosts daily Church of England services, and in 2023, over 300,000 visitors came through its doors. As a Grade I listed building, it attracts not only religious visitors but also architecture and history enthusiasts. The cathedral precincts also contain the Bishop’s Palace and several medieval buildings, including the 15th-century Vicars' Close.

The site has held a church since 766, according to early records. In 909, the bishopric was established, but the cathedral moved to Bath Abbey in 1090. Wells became a co-cathedral in 1218. The remains of the earlier 10th-century cathedral still rest beneath the cloister, providing insight into its early origins.

The cathedral's design follows a cruciform plan, with a chapter house to the north and a cloister to the south. Its construction took place in two distinct phases: from c. 1180 to c. 1260 and from c. 1285 to c. 1345. During the first phase, builders constructed the western half, including the nave and transepts, in the Early English Gothic style. Meanwhile, the second phase completed the eastern end, including the lady chapel, eastern transepts, chapter house, and central tower, in the Decorated Gothic style. The cathedral preserves much of its medieval stained glass.

Between 1385 and 1410, two towers were added to the west front in the Perpendicular Gothic style, and the cloisters were remodelled between 1420 and 1508. Restorations throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries helped preserve its beauty.

Today, Wells Cathedral remains one of England’s most admired buildings. John Harvey describes it as Europe’s first truly Gothic structure, marking a decisive break from the Romanesque style. The west front, with its 300 sculpted figures, shows the pinnacle of plastic arts in England. However, Nikolaus Pevsner describes the west front as "spare," comparing its bold design to "steel scaffolding."

For More Churches