VICARS’ CLOSE IN WELLS
Vicars’ Close in Wells is easy to miss. Many visitors are rightly transfixed by the magnificence of the West Front of Wells Cathedral and fail to see this small side street just a few yards from the Cathedral Green.
VICARS’ CLOSE residents
The picturesque, terraced houses that sit either side of a cobbled street, were originally built to each house a vicar. They were built by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury and were occupied as early as 1348. (Some say that Vicars’ Close can lay claim to being the only completely medieval street left in England. Others state it’s the oldest continually inhabited residential street in Europe.) Either way, Vicars’ Close is beautifully preserved.
Back in the 14th century there was housing for 42 Vicars – 22 sets of single chambers on the east side and 20 on the west. As you would expect, the houses were very basic and didn’t have a front garden. A modern day estate agent would probably describe them as ‘Bijou’!
front gardens are granted
Over the centuries minor concessions have been made. In the 15th century, Bishop Bubwith allowed 19 1/2 feet to be walled off in front of each house to be used as a front garden. In the 1660s some of the houses were allowed to be leased by ‘strangers’. According to ‘The Vicars’ Close’ by Hugh Parnell, 12 of the most decayed houses were allowed to be rented by “persons of good and honest reputation as will covenaunt to rebuild and repair them at their owne proper costs and charges.” ‘Strangers’ have been allowed to inhabit Vicars’ Close ever since.
Today, Vicars’ Close is made up of 27 houses, a chapel, a library, treasury and muniment room (a storage room for historical documents). A dining hall is connected to the Cathedral by a walkway.
VICARS’ CLOSE ON TV
Back in 2016, there was an opportunity to take a peek at Vicar’s Close without visiting Wells. Three of the houses appeared in ‘The Great Interior Design Challenge’ on BBC2. The properties underwent makeovers – quite a challenge in Grade I listed buildings!
This incredible street was described by Canon Godwin as, “…the most beautiful of its kind to be seen anywhere in England…” Most visitors today wouldn’t disagree. Indeed, Which? readers named Wells ‘Best Small UK City for a short break‘ in 2024 and 2022. I’m sure that the beauty of Vicars’ Close played a part.
FUND RAISING
Recently, Wells Cathedral received over £4 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards its campaign to save Vicars’ Close. The plan is to undertake important conservation works and then allow visitors into some of the unique houses in the close. The project will cost around £7 million, so donations are very welcome.
Vicars’ Close is another beautiful Somerset attraction and well worth a visit.