Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wells: After the pinnacle of prestige, it fell into a slumber—and much of its old look
has been preserved, none better than
Wells Cathedral.
At the point where the limestone Mendips dive into the flatter terrain known as
the Somerset Levels, millions of years of erosion have created a vast underground
network of caves. There's no need to be a serious spelunker to enjoy the family-
oriented fun at either
Wookey Hole
or
Cheddar Caves and Gorge.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
Wells has no railway station, but does have good bus connec-
tions with surrounding towns and cities. One option is to take the train to Bath (see
the section on Bath earlier in this chapter) and continue the rest of the way via bus
no. 173 (1
1
⁄
4
hr.). Departures are generally every hour Monday through Saturday, and
every 2 hours on Sunday. An alternative is to take the train to Bristol and then bus no.
376, which takes just over 1 hour. Call
&
0117/955-3231
or 0845/606-4446 for
schedules and information, or see
www.firstgroup.com/ukbus
for timetables.
If you're driving from London, take the M4 west, cutting south on the A4 toward
Bath and continuing along the A39 into Wells.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Visitor Information Service
is at the Town
Hall, Market Place (
&
01749/671770;
www.wellstourism.com). It's open Novem-
ber through March, Monday to Saturday 11am to 4pm, and April through October,
Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Exploring Wells
Besides the famous cathedral, the center's other highlight is the moat-surrounded
Bishop's Palace and Gardens
(
&
01749/988111;
www.bishopspalace.org.uk).
The Great Hall, built in the 13th century, is in ruins, and the tranquil grounds house
the well springs which gave the city its name. The palace is still used by the Bishop
of Bath and Wells. Admission costs £6 adults, £2.50 children 5 to 18, which includes
a guided tour at 11:30am daily. The palace is open April to October 10:30am to 6pm.
The cobbled lane known as the
Vicars' Close,
north of the cathedral, has some of
the best preserved ecclesiastical terrace dwellings in Britain.
Wells Cathedral
CATHEDRAL Begun in the 12th century, this magnifi-
cent edifice is among England's best-preserved examples of early Gothic architecture.
The medieval sculpture (six tiers of statues) of its West Front is without equal in a
country where so much religious statuary fell prey to iconoclastic zeal during the
Reformation. This western facade was completed around 1230, the central tower
coming later in the 14th century, with the internal fan vaulting erected later still. The
most striking feature of the cathedral interior is the so-called
Scissor Arches
at the crossing, an amazing feat of engineering; they were built between 1338 and
1348, when the west piers of the crossing tower began to sink. The inverted arches
strengthened the top-heavy structure and prevented the tower from collapsing. It was
the master mason, William Joy, who devised this ingenious solution, which has done
the job nicely for 6
1
⁄
2
centuries.
Much of the cathedral's stained glass dates from the 14th century, as does the
Lady Chapel,
constructed in the Decorated style. Up steps to the north of the cross-
ing is the octagonal
Chapter House,
completed in 1306 but since restored. Young
visitors might be more enchanted by the
Wells Clock,
which dates from 1390. Every
quarter-hour, it chimes, and jousting knights gallop around a platform above its face.
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