Wells Cathedral: No trip to Wells would be complete without a visit to Wells Cathedral. Perhaps the most beautiful of the English cathedrals, marvel at the wonderful display of medieval statues on the West Front, the graceful scissor arches, the humorous carvings on the pillars, and the deep colours of the stained glass.
The Wells Cathedral Clock is an astronomical clock in the north transept of the cathedral. The clock is one of the group of famous 14th to 16th century astronomical clocks to be found in the West of England. The surviving mechanism, dated to between 1386 and 1392, was replaced in the 19th century, and was eventually moved to the Science Museum in London, where it continues to operate. The dial represents the geocentric view of the universe, with sun and moon revolving round a central fixed earth. On the hour, joisting knights revolve at the top of the clock, whilst the figure Jack Blandiver chims the bells.
Another dial is mounted on the outside wall, driven from the same mechanism. This was first installed in the 14th or 15th centuries, but has been restored a number of times. www.wellscathedral.org.uk
Vicar’s Close: A short walk across the Green, along from the Chain Gate and through an arch to the east of Wells Cathedral, you will find Vicars’ Close. Built for the Vicars’ Choral (the men of the choir), c1360, this is Europe’s most oldest, inhabited street in Europe.
It comprises numerous Grade 1 listed buildings, made up of 27 residences (originally 44), built for Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, a chapel and library at the north end, and a hall at the south end, over an arched gate. It is connected at its southern end to the Cathedral by way of a walkway over Chain Gate.
The Close is about 460 ft (140 m) long, and paved with setts. Its width is tapered by 10 ft (3 m) to make it look longer when viewed from the main entrance nearest the cathedral. When viewed from the other end it looks shorter.
By the nineteenth century the buildings were reported to be in a poor state of repair, and part of the hall was being used as a malhouse.
