I spent the evening of Monday May 6th in Wells at the Ancient Gatehouse & Rugatino Restaurant with Jim and Melissa, friends of ours who have recently moved to Somerset from Palm Springs. We explored the town, had a drink in a very cute pub and ate a wonderful dinner at the hotel restaurant.

I didn’t know when I booked it that the hotel had a primo view of the cathedral. I had a small attic room with a fabulous view.

I spent the morning in Wells with Jim & Melissa and visited Vicar’s Close and Wells Cathedral. We also met a very friendly cat.

Vicar’s Close is claimed to be the oldest residential street in Europe with buildings dating back to the mid 14th century. The distinctive chimneys were added in the 15th century.

Vicar’s Close

The Cathedral

The cathedral was built from 1176-1490. It is considered one of the most beautiful of English cathedrals and I would agree with that. The Chapter House was particularly impressive with its geometric style of architecture. The steps up to the Chapter House are well worn by centuries of footsteps.

While we there the cathedral had a beautiful exhibit of thousands of paper doves carrying messages of peace, hope and love suspended in an illuminated installation.

The Wells Cathedral Clock

The cathedral clock is an astronomical clock and thought to be one of the oldest working clocks in the world. It chimes every quarter hour. We waited for a few minutes to watch the display.

There is also an outdoor clock that is driven by the same mechanism

After our visit to the cathedral, I retrieved my bike from the hotel and continued with my journey. Next stop Cheddar Gorge.