Vicars' Close, Medieval residential street in Wells, England.
The street extends 140 meters with 27 residences built of local stone, featuring historic chimneys and a tapered width that creates an optical illusion.
Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury commissioned the construction of Vicars' Close in 1348 to house the Vicars Choral who performed daily services at Wells Cathedral.
The residences continue to serve their original purpose, housing members of the Vicars Choral who maintain the centuries-old tradition of cathedral music.
Visitors can access the street throughout the year and observe the connected Chain Gate Bridge that links the residential area to Wells Cathedral.
The street maintains its original medieval layout with Grade I listed buildings, making it the oldest complete residential street in Europe with intact original structures.
Location: Wells
GPS coordinates: 51.21150,-2.64370
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:04
Somerset contains medieval abbeys, Norman castles, Elizabethan manors and prehistoric bridges. The region offers limestone gorges, ancient oak woodlands and beaches with geological formations. The villages feature market halls, dovecotes and small churches. The landscape shows hills with wide views, river valleys and moorlands.
Wells Cathedral
122 m
Wells and Mendip Museum
87 m
Chain Gate, Wells
79 m
The Old Deanery
162 m
Fountain Inn
144 m
The Vicars' Chapel
71 m
Newlyn And The Little House
181 m
Polydor House
118 m
Chapter House of Wells Cathedral
105 m
1-13, Vicars' Close
15 m
1, St Andrew Street
67 m
Vicar's Hall including No. 28 Vicars' Close
65 m
The Cedars
112 m
14-27, Vicars' Close
21 m
Boundary Walls To Numbers 1-13
3 m
Ritchie Hall
110 m
3 And 5, St Thomas Street
147 m
Claver Morris House
134 m
23, The Liberty
101 m
The Dean's Lodging
97 m
The Rib
114 m
The Music School And Attached Walls
70 m
Tower House
59 m
Boundary walls to Numbers 14-27, Vicars' Close
8 m
Triple Lamp Standard Adjacent To Boundary Wall Opposite Wells Museum
110 m
Triple Lamp Standard Approximately 25 Metres To West Of South West Tower
155 m
Old Deanery Court With Link Wall Along East Side
121 m
Wells Museum
87 mReviews
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