What is special about Wells Cathedral?

What is special about Wells Cathedral?

Wells Cathedral has unique features that separate it from other English cathedrals including its iconic West Front and the beautiful ‘scissor arches’ supporting the central tower, as well as one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country.

What is being filmed at Wells Cathedral?

Filming has begun in Wells in Somerset for a new Hollywood movie, starring actress Charlize Theron. The Huntsman, a prequel to Snow White and the Huntsman, also stars Emily Blunt, Rob Brydon and Nick Frost. The city’s cathedral and the grounds of the Bishops Palace were among the locations used this week.

Is Wells Cathedral medieval?

The first Gothic Cathedral to be built in England, Wells Cathedral is famed for its unique architecture. From its iconic West Front, featuring 300 medieval carvings, to the ingenious fourteenth century Scissor Arches, the Cathedral never fails to inspire.

What Stone is Wells Cathedral made of?

Inside the cathedral, the Jurassic Great Oolite Limestone, a golden-yellow oolitic limestone better known as Bath Stone, was used for fine carved work such as the font and the pulpit.

Is Wells the smallest city in England?

Because of Wells’ Cathedral, Wells has had city status basically since medieval times although its population was only 10,536 according to the 2011 census (12,000 in 2018). Based on its boundary area (2.11 sq mi / 5.4 sq km), it is indeed the smallest free-standing city in the UK and in England.

Why is Wells Cathedral famous?

Built in 1176–1450 to replace an earlier church on the site since 705, it is moderately sized for an English cathedral. Its broad west front and large central tower are dominant features. It has been called “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and “most poetic” of English cathedrals.

Where are they filming Becoming Elizabeth?

STARZ has confirmed the full cast for its new original drama series Becoming Elizabeth, which is filming at The Bottle Yard Studios and across the West of England region. It has also released a first look image (above) and a behind the scenes film giving a glimpse of the magnificent studio sets.

How long did it take to build Wells Cathedral?

Its south-west tower was begun 100 years later and constructed between 1365 and 1395, and the north-west tower between 1425 and 1435, both in the Perpendicular Gothic style to the design of William Wynford, who also filled many of the cathedral’s early English lancet windows with delicate tracery.

What religion is Wells Cathedral?

Anglican cathedral
Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle and seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose cathedra it holds as mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

Who built the Wells Cathedral?

William Wynford
William JoyAnthony Salvin
Wells Cathedral/Architects

Is Wells a nice place to live?

It’s not Britain’s smallest city, but this tiny Somerset treasure may well be its friendliest. It is, however, almost certainly the most beautiful, thanks to a medieval centre with a glorious 13th-century cathedral, a moated Bishop’s Palace (where you’ll find the springs that gave the city its name) and gardens galore.

When was the Cathedral of Wells in England built?

Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle and seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose throne or cathedra it holds as mother church of the diocese. Built between 1176 and 1450 to replace an earlier church on the site since 705,…

How old is the choir at Wells Cathedral?

The choir celebrated its 1100th birthday in 2009: boys first sang at Wells Cathedral in 909 and the full choral tradition dates back over 800 years. In 1994, the choral foundation at Wells was enriched by the addition of girl Choristers. Today the choir consists of 18 boy choristers, 18 girl choristers and 12 Vicars Choral (the men of the choir).

Which is the most beautiful cathedral in England?

Wells Cathedral, Somerset. One of England’s most beautiful cathedrals, in the centre of the small city of Wells, near several other historic structures. Of the 29 Anglican cathedrals in England, the 13th century edifice in Wells, Somerset is intermediate in age and size, but equal to any in terms of beauty and architectural style.

Which is the signature view of Wells Cathedral?

On entering the cathedral, look down the nave and you will see the ‘signature’ view of Wells; the extraordinary scissor arches that support the crossing.