The first time I saw Wells Cathedral in Somerset, I walked through Penniless Porch – the 15th-century gateway from the marketplace – and the west front appeared suddenly, overwhelming and absurdly detailed. Over 300 medieval statues cover the facade in tiers, creating what’s essentially a stone Bible for an illiterate medieval population. What caught me off guard wasn’t just the scale but the realisation that this extraordinary building sits in England’s smallest city, population barely 12,000. Wells has been a cathedral city since 909 AD, and the cathedral remains its reason for existing.
Quick overview
General admission costs £15.50 for adults (£10 after 3:30 p.m.), £5 for children aged 5–17, and under-5s free. Your ticket includes re-entry for 12 months from purchase, a complimentary highlights tour or audio tour, and admission to the Undercroft Exhibition.
Opening hours: Daily, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults £15.50 (£10 after 3:30 p.m.); children (5–17) £5; under-5s free | Daily: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PA | Under-5s; worshippers (prayer, services, lighting candles) | 6:00 p.m. |
How much does Wells Cathedral cost?
Admission to this grand old European cathedral is charged, though entry to pray, attend services, or light candles is always free – this is a working cathedral, not just a tourist attraction.
Admission prices
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | £15.50 | General admission |
| Late entry (after 3:30 p.m.) | £10.00 | Available to all visitors |
| Children (5–17) | £5.00 | Ages 5–17 |
| Under-5s | Free | No ticket required |
What’s included: Complimentary highlights tour or audio tour, admission to the Undercroft Exhibition (displaying medieval carvings and cathedral treasures), and 12 months’ re-entry from your first visit. You can return throughout the year for seasonal events, exhibitions, and family holiday activities.
Joint ticket with The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens: £22 (plus 60p booking fee online) – offers discounted entry to both major Wells attractions versus buying separately. Available at the cathedral’s Welcome Desk, The Bishop’s Palace ticket office, or online.
Cathedral Card: £45 annually – provides 12-month re-entry plus additional discounts and benefits. Worth considering if you’re visiting more than twice.
Residents’ Pass and Parish Pass: Local residents within a certain radius and those on the electoral roll of Diocese of Bath and Wells parish churches may qualify for barrier-free access passes.
Is Wells Cathedral free to enter?
Not for general visitors, though worshippers enter free – if you’re coming to pray, attend a service, or light a candle, there’s no charge. Just inform staff at the Welcome Desk.
The cathedral must raise approximately £4.5 million annually for maintenance, conservation, and operations. Admission fees contribute to this funding.
What time does Wells Cathedral open?
Daily: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Welcome Desk (ticket sales): Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cathedral Shop: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Loft Café: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Important note: Areas of the cathedral may close for services, special events, filming, or maintenance. Monthly organ tuning makes the cathedral noisier than usual – particularly impactful for hearing aid users, people sensitive to loud noise, young children, and dogs. Music rehearsals happen throughout the year. Check the Closures and Restrictions page on the cathedral website before visiting.
These Wells Cathedral ticket prices and opening times were checked and verified in January 2026. Visit the Cathedral website for the latest information.
Do I need to book Wells Cathedral tickets in advance?
No, though you can if it gives you peace of mind. Tickets are available at the Welcome Desk during opening hours. The cathedral is large and rarely reaches capacity – walk-up visitors are nearly always accommodated.
Guided tours don’t require advance booking – they’re included with admission and run regularly. Just turn up.
Group visits (10 or more) should contact the cathedral in advance to arrange your visit.
History
Wells Cathedral is the earliest English cathedral built in the Gothic style, with construction beginning around 1175. The site had been a religious centre for centuries – a Saxon church stood here from around 705 AD, and Wells became a cathedral city in 909 when the Bishop’s seat moved from Sherborne.
The west front, completed around 1260, is Wells Cathedral’s signature feature. Over 300 medieval statues once brightly painted (traces of pigment remain) depict Biblical scenes, saints, kings, and angels. It’s the most complete surviving ensemble of medieval sculpture in Britain. The Reformation and Civil War saw many statues damaged – noses chipped off, faces defaced – but restoration efforts have preserved what remains.
The scissor arches inside are architectural genius born from desperation. By 1338, the central tower was sinking under its own weight, threatening to collapse the entire cathedral. Master mason William Joy designed revolutionary inverted stone arches – three scissor arches on each side of the crossing – to redistribute the tower’s weight. They shouldn’t work aesthetically; they look bizarre, almost modern. But they’ve held the tower stable for nearly 700 years.
The astronomical clock in the north transept, installed around 1390, is one of the oldest working clocks in the world. The outer dial shows a 24-hour face (medieval timekeeping divided the day differently from our modern 12-hour system). Above it, knights on horseback joust every quarter hour – one gets knocked off his horse on the hour. Medieval crowds would have found this mechanical marvel mesmerising.
Vicars’ Close, built in the 14th century to house the men of the cathedral choir, remains the oldest continually inhabited medieval street in Europe. The 42 houses, connected by a covered walkway to the cathedral, were designed to keep the clergy away from the town’s temptations – particularly ale houses. The street is still residential and barely changed in 600 years.
Inside Wells Cathedral
The nave stretches 67 metres, a soaring space of Early English Gothic architecture. The scissor arches dominate the crossing – you either love them or find them jarring. They’re absolutely worth seeing either way.
The Chapter House, accessed via a worn stone staircase, is an octagonal medieval meeting room with fan vaulting radiating from a central pillar. The stonework is breathtaking. The steps are famously uneven, worn concave by centuries of feet.
The Lady Chapel at the east end features delicate Decorated Gothic tracery and medieval glass. It’s quieter here, away from the main tourist flow.
The Quire (medieval spelling for choir) houses the cathedral’s stunning 14th-century misericords – carved wooden seats that flip up to reveal intricate carvings underneath. Dragons, mermaids, ordinary people doing ordinary things – medieval craftsmen let their imaginations run wild on these hidden carvings.
The Undercroft Exhibition (included with admission) displays medieval stone carvings removed during restoration, giving close-up views of the craftsmanship. You’ll also see cathedral treasures including chalices, vestments, and documents.
The astronomical clock still works, showing the phase of the moon and the position of the sun relative to a fixed Earth (medieval cosmology). The jousting knights perform their quarter-hourly show. It’s genuinely delightful.
The Chain Gate connects the cathedral to Vicars’ Close via a covered stone bridge. You can walk under it from Cathedral Green.
Lunchtime organ recitals happen regularly (check the schedule). The cathedral’s organs are magnificent – hearing them played in this acoustic space is memorable.
What’s included with your ticket?
With general admission (£5–£15.50):
- 12 months’ re-entry from first visit
- Complimentary highlights tour or audio tour
- Admission to Undercroft Exhibition
- Access to all public areas of the cathedral
- Visitor leaflets and guides
Always free (no ticket required):
- Entry to pray, attend services, or light candles
- Attending services and choral evensong
- Lunchtime organ recitals (check schedule)
Things to do near Wells Cathedral
The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens (50 metres, 1-minute walk) – An 800-year-old moated palace with 14 acres of RHS Partner Gardens. Mute swans on the moat ring bells for food, a tradition dating from the 1870s. The medieval palace rooms, ruined Great Hall, and Bishop’s Chapel are all accessible.
Vicars’ Close (30 metres, 1-minute walk from cathedral) – The oldest continually inhabited medieval street in Europe, built in the 14th century. Still residential, so respect residents’ privacy, but you can walk the cobbled street and admire the architecture.
Wells & Mendip Museum (100 metres, 2-minute walk) – Small museum covering Wells’s history and the surrounding Mendip area. Housed in the 15th-century Chancellor’s House next to the cathedral. Displays include archaeology, geology, and local history.
Wookey Hole Caves (3 miles, 10-minute drive) – A series of limestone caverns with an underground river. Guided tours through the caves, plus on-site attractions including a dinosaur valley, mirror maze, and vintage penny arcade. The witch legend (a stone formation supposedly resembles a witch) is played up heavily.
Glastonbury Tor (6 miles, 15-minute drive) – A distinctive hill topped by the roofless St Michael’s Tower, visible for miles across the Somerset Levels. The climb to the summit is steep but manageable, offering panoramic views. Steeped in myth and legend – variously claimed as the Isle of Avalon, entrance to the fairy kingdom, and an ancient sacred site.
Practical tips
- Location: Cathedral Green, in the centre of Wells, Somerset’s smallest city
- Getting there: Wells is 20 miles south of Bristol, 21 miles southwest of Bath. Limited parking in the city centre. Park & Ride operates from The Coxley car park. Nearest railway station is Castle Cary (20 miles)
- Time needed: 1–1.5 hours minimum; 2 hours if attending a tour or organ recital
- Photography: Allowed for personal use
- Accessibility: Mostly accessible, though some areas (Chapter House stairs, tower) require climbing steps. Wheelchairs available
- Children: Very suitable – the astronomical clock, jousting knights, and Undercroft Exhibition engage younger visitors
- Services: Check the services schedule – attending choral evensong is free and memorable
- Noise: Organ tuning (monthly) and music rehearsals can be loud. Check Closures and Restrictions before visiting
- Combine with: The Bishop’s Palace, Vicars’ Close, and Wells city centre (all walking distance)
- Quiet times: Weekday mornings are least crowded
FAQs
Can I attend services for free?
Yes, entry to all services is free. Choral evensong (usually Tuesday to Sunday at 5:15 p.m., check schedule) is particularly beautiful and open to all.
How long should we spend here?
Most visitors spend 1–1.5 hours. Add extra time for guided tours, organ recitals, or if you’re attending a service.
Is the 12-month re-entry really worth it?
Yes, if you’re within visiting distance. Wells hosts seasonal events, exhibitions, and family activities throughout the year. The ticket pays for itself on a second visit.
Are guided tours included?
Yes, highlights tours are complimentary with admission. Audio tours are also available at no extra charge.
What are the scissor arches?
Unique inverted stone arches installed in 1338 to stop the central tower collapsing. They’re architecturally extraordinary and visually distinctive.
Can we climb the tower?
Occasional tower tours happen, but they’re not regular. Check the cathedral website for scheduled dates.
Is there a café?
Yes, The Loft Café (daily, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) serves drinks, meals, and cakes.
What’s the astronomical clock?
A working medieval clock (c.1390) showing a 24-hour dial, moon phases, and featuring jousting knights that perform every quarter hour. One of the world’s oldest working clocks.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, for personal use. No flash or tripods during services.
