Address: Cathedral Grn, Wells, BA5 2UE, United Kingdom
Phone: +441749674483
Rating: 4.8
based on 499 reviews.
Architecture and History
Pros:
"The spires and medieval architecture of this Norman behemoth still impresses today."
"Amazing cathedral with over a millennium of history."
"Amazing building! Highlights: West Front, amazing medieval internal tower bracing, 14th C clock."
"The interior is dominated by the beautiful scissor beams in the crossing, the medieval engineering solution for subsidence from the tower above."
"A stunning gothic style Anglican cathedral dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle."
"The first gothic cathedral to be built in England, so wonderful unique architecture at its finest."
"This cathedral is a unique wonderful English gothic architecture."
Cons:
"Lovely outside, but we were underwhelmed with inside."
"Inside, nothing special, seen much better around Europe."
"Cathedral is big, unfortunately the front elevation is currently covered in scaffolding."
"The 1 way system spoils the experience and any photos are spoiled by the many floor dots."
"This place is absolutely breathtaking apart from the chairs stacked in front of the arch."
"Not as much stained glass as other cathedrals that I’ve visited."
"Wasn't too keen on the art exhibition myself as some pieces were blocking view on somethings I was interested in."
Staff and Donation Policy
Pros:
"Cathedral cafe is small but good drinks and food selection; staff very friendly."
"The guides are very knowledgeable, and seeing parts of the cathedral usually out of bounds is fascinating."
"Tour guide Malcolm was BRILLIANT!!"
"The staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable, there are tours available or you can wander at your own leisure."
"We met a friendly lady in a wheelchair and she looked like clergy anyway made a fuss of the Puggies and gave them a treat, how lovely is that never had such a lovely welcome."
"The staff/guides are very helpful and knowledgeable, especially the lovely Robert."
"All the staff and ministers are so very helpful too."
Cons:
"The lady behind the counter has her hand out for your cash with a card machine in the other hand for your donation before she lets you enter."
"Upon entry the two ladies were aggressively asking for 'donations'."
"No donation boxes just a member of staff waiting with her hand out ready to take our money and put it in the till."
"They say donations welcome yet have a kiosk on entry with a board saying £6.00 per adult and very pushy staff asking for your money."
"It's not really donation of a minimum £8 they ask for at the door you will not get past the reception desk."
"We were just surprised we had to pay more to go in as we thought it was all in 1 ticket and proceeded to walk out and an extremely rude arrogant so-called lady called me back."
"Despite the crowd the 'receptions' insisted that we each have to wait to get 'served' and was literally yelling 'entry upon donation'."
Accessibility and Facilities
Pros:
"Visited Wells for the first time what a quaint beautiful little town, the cathedral is beautiful, so peaceful disabled facilities everywhere."
"One of us is a mobility scooter user and the whole tour is generally accessible."
"Easy parking, lovely toilets, no charge just donation."
"Parking is hard but stick with it as a walk through the high street to Wells Cathedral is well worth it."
"Everything else on the official tour is accessible."
"They let well behaved dogs in, so we were able to visit together with our pooch."
"Wells has many historic buildings and small enough to wonder round easily disabled drivers can park for 3 hours free in the Union St/waitrose carpark with blue badge close to the centre."
Cons:
"A little disappointed photograph wise, because of the scaffolding up outside."
"Although the guide also took those of us who could manage it up into the Chapter House, which is definitely NOT accessible."
"The cathedral is mostly wheelchair accessible but of course the sea of steps isn't."
"However parking nearby is difficult."
"There a charge of £16 pp into the gardens which is quite a steep price."
"It was hard to bear the guide a lot of the time as they were testing the organs at the same time."
"We were greeted by quite a loud lady asking for donations that made us feel quite uncomfortable and a little unwelcome."
Atmosphere and Experience
Pros:
"A truly awe-inspiring cathedral."
"One of the most beautiful and spectacular Cathedral's in all of England. Definitely worth seeing!"
"A wonderful peaceful place to go and just sit and soak up the atmosphere."
"An excellent place to lose yourself in historic surroundings."
"It's so tranquil and the Architecture is incredible."
"A beautiful place to visit, full of history and is very peaceful."
"Such a lovely place to visit the cathedral is just spectacular definitely worth going."
Cons:
"Would have been 5 stars except for the way you have to pay an donation."
"It's a shame they have continued to allow the practice of their staff aggressively pushing for donations, otherwise I would happily give 5 stars."
"I have removed 2 stars because of the rudeness."
"The cafe upstairs was not very good unfortunately."
"Unfortunately the tea room was not very good. The till wasn't working (still running windows xp), quite expensive and not much flavour."
"At the G4 concert they were very rude to think they had a free ticket and the toilets situation was terrible and l do not think they should be allowed to hold these concerts if they can not handle the amount of people who have paid good money."
"There was a very strong smell of bleach in the cathedral that was quite overpowering."