2/7/11

My World - England III

Wells is officially the smallest city in England and the only one in the county of Somerset. It is a very pretty and busy medieval market town at the foot of the Mendip Hills, dating back to Roman times.

 
 
Wells Cathedral was started in 1180 and completed by 1306, and is one of the most impressive Cathedrals in England. I also think it is one of the most beautiful and could spend hours just looking at its splendour.



The West Front is one of the most important and grandest in England and includes 300 of the original medieval statues. When you first walk up and see it, the detail is really quite breathtaking, even when you're English and used to ancient buildings.

All the original buildings around the Cathedral have been retained and make for an impressive walk up from the Market Square. The archway you can see above in the corner is an original Penniless Porch and is at the top of the Market Square next to The National Trust shop.


As the sign indicates it was built in around 1450 by a Bishop and it was where the poor would sit and beg for alms (money) from passersby.



Wells is blessed with wonderful old architecture everywhere you look and still holds an outdoor market in the square twice weekly. If you ever make it to England, I would highly recommend a visit.

More on the interior of Wells Cathedral next week.

To see some great sights around the globe or join in the fun, go to My World Tuesday

36 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, I would love to visit there! What a beautiful cathedral and I think it's great that the whole town has a feeling of the same time frame! Fabulous captures, Sarah! Thanks for sharing!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

Great tour of an impressive area. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Stewart M said...

Hi - Wells was just the road from where I was born!!!

Never got to see snow on the Cathedral though.

Wonderful place, and wonderful shots.

Stewart M

My name is Riet said...

What a beautiful cathedral and city. I would love to visit there one day.Love the old buildings.

Arija said...

Amazing that the statuary is intact in this charming and seemingly unspoiled town.

In Ely cathedral Cromwell had all the statues beheaded. We only found one little one in the fabulous Lady Chapel that was whole.

How is the compressor getting along?

Carol said...

Great photos! The cathedral is magnificent! I would love to see inside.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Wonderful photos, Sarah. Have you read The Pillars of the Earth? I read it years ago (before Oprah) and found it a good story and fascinating details of the building of cathedrals.

Esther Garvi said...

It always amazes me how much effort people have been able to put into buildings... Beautiful work!

Gaelyn said...

Wow, that church is amazing. With all that detail no wonder it took over 100 years to build. Great tour.

Gizelle said...

Very beautiful gothic architecture....breathtaking as you said...

George said...

I would love to visit Wells, but I'm not sure I will ever get back to England. So I thank you for your fascinating photos and I look forward to seeing more of this beautiful cathedral.

Sherri said...

What a beautiful cathedral! Sarah, thanks so much for taking us on your walk through this lovely little town! I feel I went on your trip home :)!

Expat mum said...

Can you imagine any building these days taking over 100 years to build. I know they had little in the way of mechanical support back then but I suspect it was more because of the intricate details. Fabulous!

Rob said...

Zomerzet is a lovely part of the world.

The skills of the stone masons in days of yore is always outstanding to see, I doubt we could accomplish the same standard today by hand. The skills have been lost.

Stella Jones said...

I've never been to Wells, but I did live in Ely for two years. I love those old cathedral cities. They are just magnificent, aren't they.
Your pictures of Wells are lovely.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sarah, Well looks like a fabulous place. Wow--what a gorgeous cathedral.. I cannot wait to see the interior.

I am enjoying seeing more of England.
Hugs,
Betsy

Pam said...

We were ready to move there. That day. Could have moved right in.

Frostbite and Sunburn said...

I love Wells- thanks for the "re-visit" !

Flea said...

Wow, it's GORGEOUS. Thank you for sharing photos and history!

Anonymous said...

Those statues in the photo are awesome. I wonder how they got them up there.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I love all the old buildings in England. The Wells Cathedral is very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

Carver said...

Wonderful shots from Wells. The town and cathedral are very beautiful.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Very grand cathedral. Can't wait until next week. "Old" has a whole different meaning to the English I suspect than it does to Okies.

Ebie said...

The Cathedral is so beautiful! Its art work and statues are so exquisite. Would love to visit someday.

Linda Reeder said...

Yes! I have been there. We lodged in a B&B in the Bishop's close, right there at the cathedral. It was one of the many great places we stayed on that three week trip.

Anonymous said...

Wow - what a huge and amazing cathedral in such a small city.

Marvin said...

Awesome architecture, though I'd probably end up on the Penniless Porch.

indicaspecies said...

Beautiful architecture of the Cathedral. Thank you for showing us your part of the world.

Kristin said...

Beautiful place and architecture of rich culture and heritage. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful place. Simply breathtaking.

LifeRamblings said...

that is such an impressive cathedral. love the ornate details.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful Cathedral. Architecture is amazing.

Daryl said...

Oh to be in England .. anytime of the year .. thanks for sharing ..

Penelope Notes said...

These ancient buildings were created with such intricacy and care. This is a marvelous cathedral. But I was most taken by the Penniless Porch in the Market Square and the concept of beggars being in a designated area. Very interesting post, indeed! Thank you for sharing.

Kay said...

This is such an interesting town. I would love to see that very impressive cathedral.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Images Dear..... I Like Your Post...

Tailor Made Turkey Tours

Anonymous said...

真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間 , 真愛旅舍直播間