Vicars' Close, Wells

Name: Vicars' Close
Address: Vicar's Close Street, Wells, BA5 2, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1749 674483

#9 among attractions in Wells

Architecture, Street

Gallery (7)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Clive Barry / URL • 2. En.wikipedia.org / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Clive Barry / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Rodw / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Pete Penfold / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Mike Searle / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Derek Andrews / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Me / URL

Facts and practical information

Vicars' Close, in Wells, Somerset, England, is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe. John Julius Norwich called it "that rarest of survivals, a planned street of the mid-14th century". It comprises numerous Grade I listed buildings, comprising 27 residences, 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. ()

Length: 460 ftCoordinates: 51°12'41"N, 2°38'37"W

Address

Vicar's Close StreetWells BA5 2 United Kingdom

Contact

+44 1749 674483

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Day trips

Vicars' Close – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Wells Cathedral, Wookey Hole Caves, Bishop's Palace, Wells Town Hall.

~440 ftS
Gothic edifice with a 14th-century clock
Wells Cathedral, Wells
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the charming city of Wells in Somerset, England, Wells Cathedral stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and a testament to medieval craftsmanship. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, this Anglican cathedral is not only a...
1.7 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cave
Wookey Hole Caves
44 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Somerset, the Wookey Hole Caves are a captivating network of limestone caverns that beckon explorers and tourists alike. This ancient natural wonder, sculpted by the relentless action of the River Axe over millions of years, offers a unique...
~850 ftS
Historical place, Museum, Sacred and religious sites
Bishop's Palace, Wells
5 min walk • The Bishop's Palace and accompanying Bishops House at Wells in the English county of Somerset, is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.
~990 ftS
City hall
Wells Town Hall, Wells
5 min walk • Wells Town Hall is a municipal building in the Market Place in Wells, Somerset, England. The building, which is the headquarters of Wells City Council, is a Grade II listed building.
~280 ftSW
Specialty museum, Museum, Natural history museum
Wells and Mendip Museum, Wells
2 min walk • The Wells and Mendip Museum is a museum in the city of Wells. It is a registered charity and an accredited member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The exhibits include items of local history and archaeological finds.
~1900 ftSW
Church, Gothic architecture
Church of St Cuthbert, Wells
10 min walk • The Church of St Cuthbert is an Anglican parish church in Wells, Somerset, England, dating from the 13th century. It is often mistaken for the cathedral. It has a fine Somerset stone tower and a superb carved roof. It is a Grade I listed building.
~630 ftSE
Church
Wells St Andrew, Wells
4 min walk • Wells St Andrew, or St Andrew Liberty, or derivations thereof, was a liberty, ecclesiastical parish, and later a civil parish, containing Wells Cathedral and surrounding land, in Somerset, England.
~260 ftS
Church, Vernacular architecture
Chain Gate, Wells
2 min walk • The Chain Gate in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway adjacent to the north side of Wells Cathedral, controlling access from St Andrew Street to the Cathedral Green within the Liberty of St Andrew. It is a Grade I listed building. It was built around 1460 to link the cathedral to Vicars' Close.
~760 ftS
Church, Vernacular architecture
The Bishop's Eye, Wells
4 min walk • The Bishop's Eye in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway into a walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew, which encloses the twelfth century Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
~690 ftS
Church, Vernacular architecture
Penniless Porch, Wells
4 min walk • The Penniless Porch in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway into a walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew, which encloses the twelfth century Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
~1230 ftSE
Church
The Old Deanery, Wells
6 min walk • The Old Deanery of Wells Cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dates from the 12th century. Along with the gatehouse and boundary walls has been designated as a Grade I listed building.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Vicars' Close?

Nearby attractions include Wells Theological College, Wells (1 min walk), Chain Gate, Wells (2 min walk), Wells and Mendip Museum, Wells (2 min walk), Wells Cathedral, Wells (3 min walk).

How to get to Vicars' Close by public transport?

The nearest stations to Vicars' Close:

Bus

Wells Bus Station • Lines: 29 (11 min walk)