Pictures of Wells Cathedral

a Cathedral in the town of Wells, in the county of Somerset

Wells Cathedral Picture Tour Hotels near Wells Cathedral Submit a history of Wells Cathedral Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Wells Cathedral Reviews Submit pictures Wells Cathedral Map Add to favourites

About Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral is the most perfect example of an ecclesiastical city from the days when the order of life was God, King and country. It is the most superb place, with an exterior showing the finest array of medieval statues to survive from the 12th and 13th centuries in this country. Here, you gaze in wonder at niches containing 365 figures carved from mellow Doulting stone. Soaring skywards are three magnificent towers, although these were not added until later in the 14th and 15th centuries. Even the collection of buildings belonging to the cathedral are spectacular, from the row of cottages crowned with elegant tall chimney pots in Vicars Row, to the dramatic splendour of the walled and moated Bishop's Palace. Around the wide green fronting the cathedral are other church properties, all speak of the wealth and power of the church, which in medieval times was without parallel.

Once inside the cathedral you are immediately overwhelmed by its awesome size and grandeur. In the aisles beneath intricate arches, lie the remains of a long line of Bishops of Wells. The art of the early stone mason is evident as you look down the nave past lofty columns and decorative arcades to the triumphant "Scissor-Arch" at the crossing. This elaborate feature was designed to assist with the weight of further enhancement of the 14th century. In the south transept there is a stone Saxon font. This is still in use today, and is believed to be a relic from the first cathedral. The north transept shows what for many is a complete oddity from the 14th century. It is a painted clock which on the quarter of the hours shows jousting knights and two medieval warriors striking a bell with giant battleaxes. If the cathedral is a wonder, the clock is a delight!

Beautiful medieval glass dapples the glowing stone work in differing shades of light, lending the cathedral a hallowed air of mystery. In these glorious sunlit rays, magnificent woodwork glows and the appearance of brasses, marble and saintly statues becomes more vibrant, so too does the stunning painted roof vault in the beautiful Lady Chapel.

This is a cathedral church you cannot visit too often, for on each return visit you notice something rare and precious that you have not seen before. It is indeed a most marvellous treasure house that is a constant source of fascination and amazement at every turn you make. The sheer beauty of Wells cathedral, blended with its great historical atmosphere makes it a magical place, which is quite beyond compare.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Wells Cathedral.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Wells Cathedral and uploading your pictures. Please leave a review of this attraction.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Wells Cathedral

Bishop's Palace, Wells	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)	Pictures
Wookey Hole Caves and Papermill	(2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Glastonbury Tor	(4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
The Chalice Well Gardens	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Glastonbury Abbey	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Cheddar Caves and Gorge	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Nunney Castle	(11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Fleet Air Arm Museum	(13.0 miles, 21.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Stourhead	(15.4 miles, 24.7 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Longleat House & Safari Park	(15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Somerset
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Wells Cathedral

Wells, in the county of Somerset (0.3 miles, 0.6 km)
Wells, situated at the foot of the picturesque mendip hills, is most certainly one of England's most delightful cathedral cities.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wookey, in the county of Somerset (2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction W)
It is a pleasant resort village made famous by the glittering limestone cavern known as "Wookey Hole" which comprises of several dramatic chambers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Glastonbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Somerset (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction SW)
This little town now enjoys world renown for its annual music festival which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cheddar, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction NW)
Often called 'Englands Grand Canyon' Chedder Gorge was carved out by a river that now runs underground.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Langport, in the county of Somerset (14.1 miles, 22.6 km, direction SW)
This old town cradled at the heart of the Somerset Levels, sits bounded by the soft rolling Somerset countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burnham-on-Sea, in the county of Somerset (15.4 miles, 24.9 km, direction W)
This invigorating Somerset coastal resort offers visitors a variety of experiences. It has a rich expanse of sand covering almost seven miles of coast, making it an idyllic resort for families with children.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stourton, in the county of Wiltshire (15.7 miles, 25.2 km, direction SE)
Stourton is noted for the church dedicated to St. Peter where you can see many memorials to the famous Hoare banking family and for the house which was the families ancestral home.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Poyntington, in the county of Dorset (16.8 miles, 27.1 km, direction S)
This is a delightful small village situated in the picturesque Blackmore Vale where the Dorset and Somerset boundary meets.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Martock, in the county of Somerset (17.0 miles, 27.3 km, direction S)
The interior of Martock's Ham-stone church is perhaps the grandest in all Somerset, the startling effect of the golden stone against the most lavishly decorated of the county's great tie-beam roofs is simply overwhelming.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bath, in the county of Somerset (17.0 miles, 27.4 km, direction NE)
Bath is an elegant city famous for its fascinating history, its beautiful Georgian architecture and its Roman remains.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Somerset
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Castle Cary Station	(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction SE)
Bruton Station	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction SE)
Bristol International Airport	(12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction N)
M5 Junction 22	(13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction W)
M5 Junction 23	(14.9 miles, 23.9 km, direction W)
Cardiff International Airport	(33.4 miles, 53.8 km, direction NW)
Wells Cathedral to London	(110.9 miles, 178.4 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Wells Cathedral

Hotel Name
Best Western The Swan Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
The White Hart Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.6 km)
The Ancient Gatehouse	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Beryl	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction NE)
Miller's at Glencot House	(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction NW)
Coxley Vineyard Hotel Limited	(2.1 miles, 3.5 km, direction SW)
Crossways	(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction S)
Thatched Cottage	(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction E)
The Highwayman Inn	(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction SE)
George & Pilgrims	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts